News & Announcements

The ELC of Duval is pleased to announce the 2025-26 Professional Learning STEAM Grant. Contracted SR providers with the ELC of Duval as its home coalition may apply. Providers who received funding from the 2024-25 Professional Learning Grant are not eligible to apply. This application link was activated on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 5 a.m. Click here to view the scoring rubric.

The deadline to apply is 12:00 PM, Friday, December 19, 2025.

PLEASE NOTE: You will not be able to save your information on the application and return to it at a later time or edit your application once you have submitted. Make sure to review your responses and the documents you have uploaded BEFORE you submit your grant application! Notification of awards will be announced in January 2026. Please direct questions to Johnna Daniels at jdaniels@elcduval.org

Calling all families and caregivers! You are invited to join us for this free facilitated playgroup that provides benefits for both children and their caregivers! The program is structured to support children’s early learning and healthy development while creating a supportive community for the parents and caregivers! We will sing songs, tell stories, create art, and play! Click here to download the playgroup dates and times.

Let’s remind legislators that children are our most precious commodity! Please create children’s hand art for the Celebration of Hands 2026 display at the state Capitol Rotunda in Tallahassee. The ELC of Duval is collecting hand art from Duval child care and early learning providers until January 22, 2026. The hand art must be strung together and secured. Please do not send individual hands or any items larger than 11 x 14. Click here for tips and additional instructions. Please submit hand art to Charlene Gross at ELC of Duval, 6500 Bowden Road, Suite 290, 32216. Questions? Email cgross@elcduval.org.

The SR Plus program helps low-income families pay for child care while lessening the effect of the “benefits cliff” when those families are no longer eligible for the School Readiness (SR) Program. Participating SR Plus families will pay an increased portion of the cost of their child care. The intent of the program is to ensure families are economically self-sufficient and capable of assuming the full cost of child care after exiting the SR Plus program. In essence, it supports families in accepting promotions while not losing their entire child care subsidy. To learn more, call 904-208-2044 or click here.

The New Worlds Reading Initiative is a FREE Florida literacy program for VPK through 5th grade public or charter school students currently reading below grade level. This statewide book delivery program is a collaborative effort with the Florida Department of Education, school districts, the University of Florida Lastinger Center, and others.

How do I know if my child enrolled in VPK is not yet reading on grade level? It means your child scored below the 40th percentile on FAST Star Early Literacy/Reading. Check with your VPK teacher. Once you’ve confirmed, apply here.

Downloadable Flyers for SR and VPK Providers

Join our network of more than 500 child care and early learning providers in Jacksonville. We are committed to supporting the growth and development of children in our community. By partnering with us, you have access to resources to share with families, including information about School Readiness, Voluntary Prekindergarten, Development Health and Inclusion, and more! Click on any of the links below to download the flyers to share with families.

School Readiness Flyer

Voluntary Prekindergarten Flyer

Developmental Health & Inclusion Warm Line

Child Care Resource and Referral

FREE MarcoPolo for Families App

The ELC of Duval is excited to provide families enrolled in the Duval SR and VPK programs with FREE access to the award-winning MarcoPolo for Families app! The app combines knowledge and play to enrich every curious mind’s experience. If you have a child enrolled in SR or VPK program, and are interested in accessing the app (a $79 value), click here to download the flyer with the QR code and instructions to enroll in the ELC of Duval school.

Board Appointments

The ELC of Duval is seeking to fill two (2) governor-appointed board positions at this time. For more information, please contact tbyrd@elcduval.org.

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