The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas makes deliberate efforts to promote, participate in, and support activities with various community organizations helping children and their families. However, advocacy efforts for early education issues are not tackled by any single agency or organization.
Anyone can become an advocate for local, state, and federal issues impacting children – and it is not as intimidating as it sounds! Sparking a conversation can raise awareness about the importance of early care and education. It can be as simple as talking to friends, family, neighbors and others in your community, talking about the importance of early childhood education and getting the average citizen (not just politicians) to understand how early learning impacts the community.
The information below will help to get you get started!
Bills of Interest
Proposed Early Learning and Early Grade Success Bills
HB 1013: Filed by Rep. Erin Grall, R-District 54. Moves Office of Early Learning into a division of the Department of Education; removes direct rulemaking authority from OEL; moves OEL budget under Department of Education; revises provisions relating to early learning coalitions,VPK and school readiness programs, and Department of Education’s responsibilities and duties relating to early learning. Moved to Education Committee Wednesday, Feb. 12.
SB 1688: Companion bill to HB 1013, filed by Senator Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart. Adding the Division of Early Learning to the divisions of the Department of Education; revising the duties of the Early Learning Programs Estimating Conference; providing requirements for minimum child care licensing standards; requiring students enrolled in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program to participate in a specified screening and progress-monitoring program; revising the performance standards for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program; authorizing certain child development programs operating on military installations to participate in the school readiness program, etc. Moved to Subcommittee on Education, Monday, Jan. 27.
Bill to law
How Does a Bill Become a Law? Click to find out!
Find Your State Legislators
GOVERNORS OFFICE
Governor Ron DeSantis
Phone: (850) 717-9337
www.flgov.com
FLORIDA SENATE
Ed Hooper
State Senator for Florida Dist. 16 (R)
Phone:(727) 771-2102
Contact
State Senator for Florida Dist. 19 (D)
Phone: (850) 487-5019
Contact
Jeff Brandes
State Senator for Florida, Delegation Vice Chair, Dist. 24 (R)
Contact
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wengay “Newt” Newton, Sr.
State Representative for Florida Dist. 70 (D)
Contact
Nick DiCeglie
State Representative for Dist. 66 (R)
Contact
Chris Latvala
State Representative for Florida Dist. 67 (R)
Contact
Jennifer N. Webb
State Representative for Dist. 69 (D)
Contact
Ben Diamond
State Representative for Dist. 68 (D)
Contact
James W. “J.W.” Grant
State Representative for Florida Dist. 64 (R)
Contact
Chris Sprowls
Florida House Representative, Delegation Chair, Dist.65 (R)
Contact
There are 24 municipalities in Pinellas County – click on yours to find contact info for your local government and elected officials: http://www.pinellascounty.org/Municipalities.htm.
BUSINESS ALLIANCE FOR EARLY LEARNING
The Florida Chamber Foundation encourages business leaders like you to join our Business Alliance for Early Learning. Businesses from around the state will tackle a number of issues impacting children ages 0-8. Join us as we engage businesses, families and community leaders in securing Florida’s future through quality early learning.
2536 Countryside Blvd Suite 500, Clearwater, FL 33763
Hours of Operation: M-F, 8:00am – 5:00pm
