Need affordable, quality child care?  We can help.

Choosing a childcare provider or an early education program for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. We want to help your family make an informed decision with the best resources available.

The School Readiness (SR) program provides partial scholarships to working families in need of access to affordable, high-quality child care for young children, age birth to 12 years old. School Readiness funds pay a portion of child care costs based on the family’s income and risk factors. 

Have a child age 0-5 and do not qualify for our School Readiness Program?
SR+ may help you!

Finding quality care for families with children 0-5 that fits your household’s unique environment may be challenging. Thanks to our partnership with the Juvenile Welfare Board,  SR+ is able to offer local families  with children 0-5 who don’t qualify for School Readiness expanded resources to high-quality early learning options. School Readiness and SR+ funding eligibility is listed below and based on availability and qualifications.

 

Benefits of School Readiness Program

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Age-appropriate curriculum

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Trained early childhood educators

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Staff that work closely with parents to assess
child’s developmental achievements

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Participating providers comply with
higher program standards 

 School Readiness and SR+
Eligibility Requirements

HOUSEHOLD SIZE

2

3
4
5
6
7

200%

$36,620      

$46,060 

$55,500

$64,940   

$74,380 

$83,820    

300%  

$54,930

$69,090

$83,250

$97,410

$111,570

$125,730

 Informational Contact Form

 

DOES YOUR FAMILY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS?

How to Renew Your Eligibility

 

All eligibility documents must be uploaded to your DEL Family Portal account.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you do not have an account or can’t remember your username, please contact the Family Services Department at 727-400-4411. DO NOT create an account on your own as that will not link to your
current eligibility. Click here to be redirected to the Family Portal.

Any change that occurs to a family’s income, employment, education status, or household size must be reported to the Coalition within 10 days of the change. This includes whether you become permanently or temporarily disabled. You should also report if your child(ren) stop going to their reported child care location. If you have any questions, please contact the Family Services Department at 727-400-4411.

Forms & Resources

FAQ’s

HOW DO I REPORT A CHANGE?
The most important thing to do when reporting a change is to first call your caseworker directly. They can walk you through the process of reporting the specific change relevant to you (i.e. change in household size, address, employment, etc.).

Please submit this Notice of Change to ELC staff.

WHAT DO I DO WHEN I GO ON MATERNITY LEAVE?
The most important step to do when reporting maternity leave is to first call your caseworker directly. They can walk you through the process of reporting this change. You need to inform your caseworker within 10 days of going on maternity leave by completing and submitting the Notice of Change form.
HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
You may call our Family Services Department by dialing 727-400-4411, selecting option 3, and then option 4. Staff will assist you by making an appointment for you.
HOW DO I FIND OUT MY SPOT ON THE WAIT LIST?
Clients are put on the wait list once their application has been reviewed and approved. Children are brought off the wait list based on their priority group, established in s. 1002.87, Florida Statutes, and the date the application was approved. This means that we are not able to give you an exact “number” of where you are at on the wait list. If you would like to know your date or what priority group you may potentially be eligible for you can contact our Family Services Department by dialing 727-400-4411, then selecting option 3, then option 2.

HOW TO GET VERIFICATION LETTER STATING I'VE BEEN PLACED ON THE WAIT LIST?

Once you are approved for the wait list you will receive an automated electronic notification in your inbox from OEL to the email you provided on the Family Portal Wait List application. If you have any other questions please contact Family Services Department by dialing 727-400-4411, then selecting option 3, then option 2. They will be able to assist in getting you verification to document that you are currently on the School Readiness Wait List.

HOW DO I CREATE A FAMILY PORTAL?

If you have NEVER had a Family Portal Account, you may create one as a New User at http://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com/Account/Login. DO NOT create another Family Portal Account if you have ever created one in the past. This will duplicate your family’s information. Please contact contact the Family Services Department at 727-400-4411.

Please contact the contact the Family Services Department at 727-400-4411. Do not create an account on your own as that will not link to your current eligibility.

Please contact the contact the Family Services Department at 727-400-4411. Do not create an account on your own as that will not link to your current eligibility.

The primary method of contact will be by email. We may also need to reach you by phone. Therefore, please make sure that ELC always has your current email address and phone number.

Yes. Please log on to the Family Portal account you have already created. If you are experiencing difficulties, please contact the contact the Family Services Department at 727-400-4411. Do not create an account on your own as that will not link to your current eligibility.

All three ELC locations offer kiosk access.  Please visit our Contacts and Locations page for more information.

  1. Log on to your Family Portal account.
  2. Under the School Readiness Applications section, click on “Verify Eligibility” blue button.
  3. You will be directed to the Eligibility Wizard. Click start to begin the process.
  4. When you reach the end of the application, please sign electronically exactly as your name appears on the record and click “Submit Eligibility Verification”.
  5. Once the ELC completes your re-certification, you will receive an email directing you back to the Family Portal. Log into the Family Portal. Under the School Readiness Funding section you will click on the blue “Sign” button next to each of your child(ren)’s name(s). Please Note: If you don’t receive the email, you can still log into the Family Portal and complete the process.
  6. You will be asked to read and accept to the Parental Rights and Responsibilities/Terms and Conditions. Please sign electronically the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.

  1. If you see a blue box stating, “Additional information is needed,” then you will need to upload documents in order to complete the section. Click on “No, I need to update the information”.
  2. The “Edit” button will appear for you to select.
  3. The next screen will give you the prompt to “Upload Document".

  1. Log in to Family Portal. Under the School Readiness Funding section, you will see “Pending Family Acceptance” under the Enrollment Status. Click on the blue “Sign” button next to each of your child(ren)’s name(s).
  2. You will be asked to read and accept the Parental Rights and Responsibilities/Terms and Conditions. Please sign electronically the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.
  3. Your provider can then log onto their attendance roster and complete your child’s attendance.
  4. Please Note: If you do not sign off on the Payment Certificate, your provider’s payments may be effected. It is imperative that you complete the process ASAP.

  1. Download and print the Child Transfer Form.
  2. Complete the Transfer form with your current and new providers.
  3. Fax completed form to 727-400-4486 or drop off at one of the ELC locations.
  4. Once ELC has completed the transfer, you will need to sign the Payment Certificate in order for your child to show up on the new provider’s attendance roster. Log into the Family Portal. Under the School Readiness Funding section you will click on the blue “Sign” button next to each of your child(ren)’s name(s)
  5. Please electronically sign the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.
  6. Your provider can then log onto their attendance roster and complete your child’s attendance.
  7. If you do not see the Payment Certificate in your Family Portal account within two business days, please call 727-400-4411.
  8. Please Note: If you do not sign off on the Payment Certificate, your provider’s payments may be effected. It is imperative that you complete the process ASAP. 

  1. Once ELC has completed the transfer, you will need to sign the Payment Certificate in order for your child to show up on the new provider’s attendance roster. Log into the Family Portal. Under the School Readiness Funding section you will click on the blue “Sign” button next to each of your child(ren)’s name(s).
  2. Please electronically sign the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.
  3. Your provider can then log onto their attendance roster and complete your child’s attendance.
  4. If you do not see the Payment Certificate in your Family Portal account within two business days, please call 727-400-4411.
  5. Please Note: If you do not sign off on the Payment Certificate, your provider’s payments may be effected. It is imperative that you complete the process ASAP.

  1. If eligible for a Suspended Enrollment, download and print the Suspended Enrollment Request Form.
  2. Complete the Suspended Enrollment Request Form with your current provider.
  3. Fax completed form to 727-400-4486 or drop off at one of the ELC locations.

If you need access to a computer, please reach out to your provider (or prospected provider) for assistance and computer access. Many providers have been given computers or tablets to help families finalize applications.

If your provider cannot aid you, please call the ELC for guidance on next steps. Call 727-400-4411.

 

2536 Countryside Blvd Suite 500, Clearwater, FL 33763

Hours of Operation: M-F, 8:00am – 5:00pm

Processes and Procedures


A. Placements

I. General: 

  1. Appointment Phone Script and Process
  2. BG1-11 Outreach and Enrollment Process
  3. Placement 30-30 Plan
  4. Browsing
  5. Keying Placements
  6. Sib-Adds
  7. Interview Flow
  8. Terms and Conditions in the Family Portal Account


II. Waitlist:


III. CCAA Process:


B. Enrollments


C.
Redeterminations

I. Processing Redeterminations: 


II. Rejections for Redeterminations:


III. Other/General Redetermination Information:


D. Reestablishment Periods/Reviews


E. Transfers


F. Suspended Enrollments


G. Coalition Transfers


H. Social Security


I. SR Plus-Local Funding

Annual Report

Annual Report