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About Us

Our Vision Statement

Children and families in our community will have access to quality early learning programs that nurture their learning potential and prepare them for their educational success.

Our Mission Statement

To provide leadership and foster partnerships to optimize a quality early learning environment for our children through child care, voluntary pre-kindergarten and parent education.

History

1999-2009 Celebrating 10 years of service to Marion County!

The Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, Inc. began operations as the Marion County School Readiness Coalition, Inc. in 1999 when Florida legislature created School Readiness Coalitions.  The purpose of the Coalitions state-wide is to ensure that children at risk of academic failure are provided the tools and resources to assist them in being prepared to enter school, and eligible low-income working parents can access quality child care.  The Coalition serves as a community-based planning, funding, and service coordinating organization that designs and manages an integrated system of early learning services.  The Agency for Workforce Innovation is charged with administering the state's early learning programs and through the Agency's Office of Early Learning (OEL) provides oversight of Florida's School Readiness programs, and is the lead entity for implementing the state's Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program.  The Agency's vision for Florida is "Children Ready to Learn, Families Ready to Earn".

In the first 10 years, the Coalition Board of Directors and Staff have focused intensively on:

  • professional development opportunities for early education teachers
  • community partnerships to enhance services for children and families
  • increasing quality early learning opportunities for children
  • accountability, efficiency and quality
  • community awareness and education on the importance and impact of early learning
  • early learning programs, the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program and parent education through our partnership with United Way of Marion County for the Success By 6 initiative
  • research and best practices in the early childhood field
  • staff professional development
  • providing excellent customer service in a timely manner
  • collaboration with other Coalition's statewide
  • identifying new and innovative ways of doing business

The Coalition is a registered not-for-profit corporation serving Marion County, Florida.  Governance is provided through a 24 member Board of Directors comprised of local business leaders from the public and private sector.

New and innovative approaches for improving the quality and availability of child care and early learning in Marion County are a significant focus of the Coalition.

Coalition Plan

Early Learning Coalitions are required to operate based on their three-year plan approved by the Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI). The detailed plan includes a community plan, Coalition governance, program administration, community coordination, processes with parents and providers, and quality activities and services.

The Early Learning Coalition of Marion County's current three year plan was approved by AWI on November 22, 2006. The timeframe of this plan covers July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009. In 2009, AWI extended the timeframe through June 30, 2010. The plan details the Coalition's focus and activities to accomplish set goals according to Florida statutes and will be amended periodically. Follow the link below to view the entire plan.

http://www.elc-marion.org/publications/2007031607560480.doc

Sponsors