PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. -- The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas (ELC) is providing financial assistance to first responders and healthcare workers for child care.
The ELC is working with the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning to expand the School Readiness program.
The expansion provides Emergency Childcare Scholarships for up to three months. It applies to children up to age 13.
According to a press release, there is no income requirement and parent co-pays are temporarily waived.
Eligibility for the program includes:
- Child(ren) are US citizen(s) or legal resident(s)
- One or both parents is/are a first responder or healthcare worker
- Child Care Application & Authorization form completed by employer
- Attendance at a contracted School Readiness provider
- Florida residence
ELC says families can get a Child Care Application & Authorization form from their HR department. Employers can contact Ken Buchanan, Family Services Manager, at kbuchanan@elcpinellas.org for more details.
“Access to childcare is essential for our most essential workers. Their children need care while they are caring for others,” said Lindsay Carson, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas. “When children don't have care, parents can't work. If first responders and healthcare workers can’t work, everyone suffers.”
To find an open provider or learn more visit this website or call Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) at 727-400-4411 (option 3, then option 3).
