Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia

Coalition History
Coalition Present
Coalition Committees
Coalition Bylaws
Coalition Staff
Videos

Welcome to the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties! We spend our days working to ensure educational success for Flagler and Volusia County children. It’s a tall order and one we take seriously. The following information will help you understand more about the Early Learning Coalition and how we go about achieving our goals.

History

Prior to 1999 - The Department of Children and Families administered the federally funded subsidized child care program providing a safe environment for young children of low income working families and children at risk of neglect and abuse. These services were provided through contracts with central agencies.

1999 - Legislature passed Chapter 411 F.S. establishing School Readiness Coalitions to oversee subsidized child care, adding an emphasis on preparing children for school and providing more oversight at the community level.

2002 - Florida passed a Constitutional Amendment for a Universal PreKindergarten Program (VPK) for four year olds in Florida.

2004 – Passage of Voluntary PreKindergarten Legislation brought about implementation of VPK, to be administered through the Agency for Workforce Innovation. Part V for Chapter 1002, F.S. set the criteria for the VPK program.

2004 - School Readiness Coalitions were renamed Early Learning Coalitions through an amendment to Chapter 411, making coalitions responsible for oversight of School Readiness and VPK programs at the community level and changing the criteria for local Coalition Board members.

Present

Today, there are thirty-one Early Learning Coalitions in Florida under the direction of the Florida Office of Early Learning (OEL). The Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties (ELCFV) works in conjunction with private, faith-based and public school programs serving children from birth to five years old. Our local Coalition serves Flagler & Volusia Counties.

The ELCFV seeks to assist parents with the goal of increasing their child's chances for educational success. A sound education begins with high quality school readiness/ VPK services.

The Coalition recognizes that parents are children’s primary first teachers, but also recognizes that by participating in quality school readiness/VPK programs children will be better prepared for school.

The Early Learning Coalition works under the guidance of a Board of Directors, made up of 15-30 voluntary members, at least 1/3 coming from private sector businesses in Flagler and Volusia Counties and including mandated members as stated in F.S. 411.01(5)5. These board members commit their time, knowledge, and experience to aid the Coalition in securing the educational futures of our youngest county residents.

Committees

The ELCFV currently has two standing committees that meet once a month or as needed:

Executive Committee

Consists of the four officers of the Board and the Chairs of standing committees. This committee:

Acts on behalf of the Coalition on administrative matters and votes on decisions if required before a meeting of the full Coalition Board can reasonably be held. Decisions of the Executive Committee must be ratified by a majority of the Coalition Board at the next scheduled meeting.
Assists the Treasurer in reviewing the budget, expenditures, projected expenditures and recommending budget revisions.
Annually recommends the selection of an independent auditor, reviews the auditor’s report and oversees corrective actions deemed necessary as a result.

Quality Committee

Ensures compliance with the Coalition Plan in regards to quality assurance and oversees the Quality Rating and Improvement System development and implementation including: VPK initiatives, accreditation processes, and professional development initiatives, and training and technical assistance as related to provider quality.
Determines the needs, concerns, and areas of involvement parents have in their child’s education.
Works in collaboration with providers to educate parents on the importance of skill building in the developmental standards with a focus on early literacy.

See the ELCFV Calendar for meeting times and locations.

Bylaws

The Early Learning Coalition, its staff and Board members adhere to the Bylaws, which were developed by the Coalition under the guidelines of Agency for Workforce Innovation, Office of Early Learning.