Flip It: Educators Learn They Can Transform Challenging Behavior
2026-02-28 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
In uncertain times, children often express stress through challenging behavior, leaving educators unsure how to respond.
FLIP IT Instead of Flipping Out: Educators Can Transform Challenging Behavior by using four simple, effective steps that turn difficult moments into learning opportunities.
We can help children understand their feelings and build self-control using the mnemonic: F-Feelings, L-Limits, I-Inquiries, P-Prompts. This kind, practical approach strengthens relationships with children ages 3–8.

Please email Training@elc-marion.org for any questions.

Provider Meeting
2026-03-12 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-03-12 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-16 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-16 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-05-21 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-21 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-06-18 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-06-18 18:30 - 20:30 and 3 more dates | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
All meetings are in person and are recorded for those who are unable to attend.
Recorded meetings are saved to the ELCMC YouTube Channel here: Early Learning Coalition of Marion County – YouTube
2 Hours of In-Service Training will be awarded to in-person attendees only.
Attendance is counted for those who arrive within 15 minutes of the start time and who remain until the end of the meeting. Certificates are given as attendees exit.
Both meetings contain the same information and are repeated to allow providers to attend at their convenience.

CPR/First Aid
2026-03-14 09:00 - 13:30 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Class Description – Furtherance Safety Associates CPR & First Aid/AED is a course that teaches students critical skills needed to respond to and manage a first aid, choking or sudden cardiac arrest emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrives. This course provides a 2-year certificate approved for use in childcare facilities. Registration starts at 8:45 a.m. & class starts promptly at 9:00 a.m. No refunds for any cancellations. Credit available with notice – see confirmation details.
Instructor – Nelson Green
Cost – $20.00
CEU’s – .4 CEU’s

Rethinking Behavior for Young Children: Ages Toddlers - 8 Years
2026-03-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Come join us and leave with the following:

Knowing – Strategies for effectively managing the classroom
Understanding – That behavior management is essential for creating a positive early childhood learning environment
Doing – Participate in a variety of activities that encourage structure, positive reinforcement, and behavior

Training Dates: March 24 and March 26, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Instructor: FDLRS
Cost: Free
CEU’s: 3 in-service hours
*You must attend both sessions to receive credit.

CF Early Childhood Conference Keynote: Gerry Brooks
2026-03-28 07:15 - 16:00 | College of Central Florida Ewers Century Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala, FL, 34474, United States
Class Description: Join us for the 37th Annual Early Childhood Conference to be held at the Ocala Campus Ewers Century Center on March 28, from 7:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The conference workshops provide information on best practices and techniques to engage and nurture children.
Cost: Early Bird Registration: $50. Payments must be received no later than March 12, 2026. Registration/payments received after March 12 and onsite: $70
CEU’s: 0.8 CEU’s

VPK Orientation
2026-04-07 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-09 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-21 09:30 - 11:30 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Please limit attendance to Directors/Owners or contract designees only.
VPK Orientation will offer an overview of the functions required to perform within the contract requirements of the VPK program. Childcare providers wishing to contract with ELCMC will learn the basic functions of attendance tracking and submission, working within numerous online systems, and general requirements outlined in the VPK contact. Participants will receive two in-service training hours for attendance.
Attendance is mandatory in order for the VPK contract to be initiated.

FLIP IT: Parents Learn They Can Transform Challenging Behavior
2026-04-07 10:00 - 11:30
Class Description: The FLIP IT strategy is an effective four-step process for addressing challenging moments with young children, and it can now be used to address additional challenges you experience with yourself and with other adults. The four steps are embodied in the FLIP mnemonic, which stands for F-Feelings, L-Limits, I-Inquiries, and P-Prompts. No matter what kind of challenge you are facing, these four supportive steps can help you identify underlying feelings, establish healthy limits, explore alternate solutions, and gain healthy coping skills. For parents with children ages 3 – 8 years.
Instructor: FDLRS
Cost: Free
CEU’s: 1.5 in-service hours
Location: Virtual

CPR/First Aid
2026-04-11 09:00 - 13:30 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Class Description: Furtherance Safety Associates CPR & First Aid /AED is a course that teaches students critical skills needed to respond to and manage a first aid, choking or sudden cardiac arrest emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrives. This course provides a 2-year certificate approved for use in childcare facilities. Registration starts at 8:45 am & class starts promptly at 9:00 a.m. No refunds for any cancellations. Credit available with notice-see confirmation details.
Location: ELCMC – 2300 SW 17th Road, Ocala, FL 34471
Instructor: Nelson Greene
Cost: $20.00
CEU’s: .4 CEU’s

Visual Supports for Teachers
2026-04-28 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Visual Support for Teachers
Date and Time: Tuesday & Thursday April 28 & April 30 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: ELCMC – 2300 SW 17th Road, Ocala, FL 34471
Description: This professional learning opportunity explores how visual tools can enhance student learning. Using images, charts, symbols, & objects, visuals clarify information, engage learners, & support diverse needs. Integrating visuals into teaching helps students make connections, stay focused, and retain information more effectively.
CEU’s: 4 in-service hours
Cost: FREE

ASQ Screening for Preschool Success
2026-05-02 09:00 - 12:30 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
ASQ® – 3 & ASQ®: SE-2
Course: ASQ Screening for Preschool Success
Description: Learn how to use ASQ:3 and ASQ:SE-2 screeners to identify children’s cognitive and social-emotional needs. Explore how ASQ screenings can inform your lesson planning to support children’s growth and development.
Presenters: Cianna McFarlane & Marilyn Gonzalez
Cost: FREE
CEU’s: TBD
For more information, contact Ciana McFarlane at (352) 369-2315 Ext. 235

New CLASS Tool - Intro 2nd Edition PreK
2026-05-05 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-07 18:00 - 20:00
Class Description: Explore the interactions that increase learning Learn the basics of the CLASS instrument, domains and dimensions. This presentation is designed to help participants learn about effective teacher-child interactions, as defined by the 2nd Ed, Pre-K CLASS tool, and the ways these interactions help children learn. Participants will: See how teacher-child interactions impact children’s learning. Understand how the CLASS tool organizes these interactions.
Location: Virtual
Instructor: Lilianna Howard
Cost: Free
CEU’s: 2 In-Service Hours

New CLASS Tool - Intro 2nd Edition Infant/Toddler
2026-05-12 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-14 18:00 - 20:00
Class Description: Explore the interactions that increase learning Learn the basics of the CLASS instrument, domains and dimensions. This presentation is designed to help participants learn about effective teacher-child interactions, as defined by the 2nd Ed, Infant/Toddler CLASS tool, and the ways.
Location: Virtual
Instructor: Lilianna Howard
Cost: Free
CEU’s: 2 In-Service Hours

CPR/First Aid
2026-05-16 09:00 - 13:30 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Class Description: Furtherance Safety Associates CPR & First Aid /AED is a course that teaches students critical skills needed to respond to and manage a first aid, choking or sudden cardiac arrest emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services (EMS) arrives. This course provides a 2-year certificate approved for use in childcare facilities. Registration starts at 8:45 am & class starts promptly at 9:00 a.m. No refunds for any cancellations. Credit available with notice-see confirmation details.
Location: ELCMC – 2300 SW 17th Road, Ocala, FL 34471
Instructor: Nelson Green
Cost: $20.00
CEU’s: .4 CEU’s

Visual Supports for Teachers
2026-05-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
Class Description: This professional learning opportunity explores how visual tools can enhance student learning. Using images, charts, symbols, & objects, visuals clarify information, engage learners, & support diverse needs. Integrating visuals into teaching helps students make connections, stay focused, and retain information more effectively.
Training Date: April 28 and April 30, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Instructor: FDLRS
Cost: Free
CEU’s: 3 In-Service Hours
*You must attend both sessions to receive credit.

Signing & Thriving: Communication, Social-Emotional Growth, and Positive Behavior Support for Young Children with Autism
2026-06-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, FL, United States
“Signing & Thriving™” is an onsite professional development training designed to strengthen functional communication, reduce challenging behaviors, and support social-emotional development in early childhood classrooms through the practical use of American Sign Language (ASL).
This training emphasizes the principle of “communication before behavior.” When children have reliable ways to express needs, feelings, and choices, frustration decreased and engagement increases.
Educators will learn hands-on, immediately usable strategies for integrating ASL into daily classroom routines, transitions, songs, stories, and play—allowing implementation to begin immediately after the training.
What to expect: “Signing & Thriving” book, handouts and online resources. Free lamination of materials from the training will be made accessible.

Opportunity to participate in collaborations after the training will be made available as well for those who attend. These collaborations will dive deeper into the use of sign language and implementation of the newly found practices from the training.
