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2/3/2010-Central Florida Welcomes Early Head Start Services
On December 30, 2009, Community Coordinated Care for Children, Inc. (4C), a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive childcare related services throughout Central and Southwest Florida, was approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, to begin providing Early Head Start (EHS) services in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.
“With 54 percent of Orlando’s children living in low income households, the need for Early Head Start in Orlando could not be greater,” said Mayor Dyer. “4C is led by compassionate committed professionals who will instill a high degree of professionalism in the Early Head Start program.”
As of September 1, 2009, 42 out of the 67 counties in Florida had existing EHS programs. 4C has now been awarded a two-year grant to get the Early Head Start program up and running in the tri-county area as a federally-funded program for less-advantaged infants and toddlers (birth to age three). EHS also provides services to pregnant mothers, such as fetal development education and pre and post-natal care. 4C will oversee 3.2 million dollars in EHS services for 248 infants, toddlers and pregnant women in the tri-county area by operating some facilities and contracting with existing child care centers and family child care homes.
4C already provides the Head Start program for 526 three, four, and five-year-olds in Osceola and Seminole counties. 4C Early Head Start will work closely with the Orange County Head Start program to ensure smooth transition from one program to the other. Head Start is a federally-funded program for less-advantaged three, four, and five-year-olds and their families. Eligibility factors include such things as homelessness, foster care, low income, single-parent households and children with disabilities.
“4C relies heavily on the support and resources of our many partners throughout Central Florida,” said Colleen Gallagher, President of 4C. “We are thrilled to bring Early Head Start to the area in collaboration with the City of Orlando, Orange County, Osceola County, Seminole County, Orange County Head Start, the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, the Early Learning Coalition of Osceola County, the Early Learning Coalition of Seminole, the Healthy Start Coalition of Orange and Seminole Counties and the Children’s Home Society of Florida.”
Providers of early childhood education centers and family childcare homes wishing to submit a response to 4C’s Request for Proposal (RFP) to provide EHS services to infants, toddlers and pregnant women in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties will be able to access a link on the 4C website for information. The RFP, which includes further requirements and a timetable of due dates, will be available at www.4CFlorida.org. Interested providers should click on the “Seminole-Orange-Osceola” portion of the Florida map, then click “Programs” then “Early Head Start,” and then “EHS Document”. Providers must have a current DCF license and a current Food/Sanitation Permit from the county health department. Teachers must have a National CDA with Infant/Toddler endorsement and maintain a ratio of 1:4 for EHS children (6 weeks old to age 3).
4C will also be seeking facilities to lease in Orange County to house Early Head Start classrooms that 4C will operate. The specifics of the type of building needed, the square footage, the locations, etc. will be available to interested landlords and property owners at www.4CFlorida.org – Central Florida – Programs – Early Head Start – Orange County Facilities.
Parents interested in applying for EHS services in the tri-county area should frequently access the 4C website, which will soon be updated with additional information. Contact phone numbers will be listed for the three counties. When these numbers are posted, parents will be able to get information about enrollment procedures. 4C’s goal is for services to tentatively begin June 1, 2010.
From left to right: City of Orlando Mayor - Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor -
Richard Crotty, 4C President - Colleen Gallagher, 4C Board Chair - Scott Wall |