About Us
The children of Brevard County are our greatest and most important resource. Their earliest experiences set the stage for their future success in school and in life. At the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County, we strive to make certain that children and families have access to the quality, affordable early learning programs and services necessary to better ensure their successful futures.
We know that children are actively learning wherever they are – at home, in early learning programs, and in their communities. Parents are undeniably children’s first and most important teachers. With this in mind, we work hard to maintain a quality early learning system with programs that respect families’ individual needs.
Whether you are a parent, a child care provider, or an interested member of our community, this site has information, listings, and helpful links for you. Please visit us often as your resource for early education information.
OUR VISION
Brevard County children will start school prepared to succeed.
OUR MISSION
To provide leadership and support for School Readiness and Voluntary Pre-kindergarten programs so that children have the opportunity to benefit from the highest quality early learning environments.
OUR HISTORY
In May 1999, Florida Legislation for the School Readiness Program – Florida Statute 411 was passed. This also authorized the establishment of the Florida Partnership for School Readiness and local school readiness coalitions and defined the roles and responsibilities of each entity. During the same time period, community meetings began to explore the development of the local school readiness coalition under the direction of United Way.
In August 1999, the local community group developed and approved by-laws to establish themselves as the Brevard School Readiness Coalition.
In December 1999, the Brevard School Readiness Coalition submitted an application to the Florida Partnership for School Readiness to be the local school readiness coalition.
In January 2000, the application was accepted and a planning grant was approved by the Partnership to assist the Coalition in the development of the initial service delivery plan.
On May 8, 2000, the Brevard School Readiness Coalition became incorporated.
In June 2000, the initial service delivery plan received conditional approval from the Partnership.
In November 2000, the Brevard School Readiness Coalition entered into a Shared Resources Model with the Healthy Start Coalition of Brevard County, Inc. for administrative and Fiscal Agent Services.
On May 8, 2001, the Brevard School Readiness Coalition received 501(c) 3 designation.
On July 1, 2001, the Brevard School Readiness Coalition assumed full allocation authority by executing contracts with the Florida Partnership and local contracted organizations. The Florida Partnership approved the revised service delivery plan.
In July 2002, the former Pre-Kindergarten Program was integrated into the Early Child Care Services.
In October 2002, the Coalition approved an increase in the reimbursement rate to Early Child Care Providers. This was the first increase since 1998.
In January 2004, the Coalition issued an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for all school readiness services.
In January 2004, the Coalition issued a Request for Information (RFI) for administrative and fiscal agent services.
In July 2004, the Coalition implemented contracts based on the outcome of the ITN process to three contractors: Child Care Association of Brevard County, Inc., Devereux Florida, and the School District of Brevard County.
In July 2004, the Coalition implemented the contract for administrative and fiscal agent services based on the outcome of the RFI process to the Healthy Start Coalition of Brevard County, Inc.
In September 2004, the Coalition issued a Request for Information (RFI) for Resource and Referral and Inclusion services.
In January 2005, the Coalition implemented the contract for Resource and Referral and Inclusion Services based on the outcome of the RFI process to the Child Care Association of Brevard County, Inc.
On January 2, 2005 Governor Bush signed House Bill 1A into law, creating the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program.
On January 1, 2006 the Coalition brought all administrative and fiscal services in house after a 6-month transition from the Healthy Start Coalition of Brevard County, Inc. as administrative and fiscal agent.