The latest news and information from Parks Place.
Provider Services
School Readiness Co-Payment / Parent Fees
Effective August 1, 2020, all School Readiness providers will begin collecting parent co-payments from families with children enrolled in their School Readiness program. No parent co-payments will be collected in June and July because the ELC of Duval will reimburse providers for parent co-payment fees.
Please read the letter from Shan Goff, Executive Director of the Office of Early Learning, that addresses this issue and other reimbursement topics. Click here.
VPK Advanced Payment
Advanced payment is made on the number of VPK children enrolled in your contracted VPK program by the due date of the 5th of each month. July’s due date has been extended, so please continue to enroll children through Wednesday, July 15.
VPK Assessment Kits
It’s time to order VPK Assessments Kits for the 2020 – 2021 program year! Assessment Kits must be ordered within the VPK Assessment Online Ordering System at www.brightbeginningsfl.com. VPK administrators will be required to complete the initial registration wizard for the current program year, set up each class in the “Classrooms” tab, then order for each class. There is a new tab available for VPK administrators called “Orders.”
- If you are a new VPK provider, please order a new kit that will include all assessment materials for 20 students.
- If you are an existing VPK provider, please order a replacement kit that will include answer booklets for 20 students.
- Orders can be placed once a provider’s VPK contract is certified and you are instructed to order the kit 30 days in advance of school start.
Click here for a list of frequently asked questions about VPK Pre- and Post-Assessment.
COVID-19 Closures
Please notify your Provider Services Specialist if your facility has an emergency closure due to COVID-19 or any other emergency.
Child & Family Resources
Northside Office Relocates
The ELC of Duval’s Northside office has relocated to 2255 Dunn Avenue, Building 100, Suite 102, 32218. For directions to the new office, please click here. Please note: All ELC of Duval offices remain closed to the public at this time.
2020 – 2021 VPK Enrollment
Attached please find a VPK promotional flyer for you to print, post and share with families. Click here for the English version and click here for the Spanish version.
Did you know that the ELC of Duval’s YouTube website now features Family Portal tutorials in both English and Spanish? Click on the links below to access “How to Apply for VPK.”
How to Apply for VPK (English Version)How to Apply for VPK (Spanish Version)
Professional Development
2020 – 2021 Wage Incentive Letter for GSOD Providers
Please click here to view the approved 2020 – 2021 wage incentive letter. Please note that there have been important changes to the requirements including:
- A minimum of 5 hours must be face-to-face or online IACET CEU accredited trainings provided by the Early Learning Coalition of Duval.
- Online First Aid and Online CPR cards are accepted and must be valid through May 31, 2021.
We encourage you to read this letter thoroughly. Please visit the ELC training calendar at www.elcduvaltraining.org for online and face-to-face training offerings. For questions about the 2020 – 2021 wage incentive, please contact Jennifer Agnew at jagnew@elcduval.org.
2020 U.S. Census Promotion
Win $100 Gift Card!
Congratulations to Braxton’s Academy and Ora Byrden Family Child Care Home! Each provider won a $100 gift card! Both providers promoted the 2020 U.S. Census with their enrolled families and staff and distributed the 2020 Census beach balls to children, birth to 5 years old.
It’s not too late for you to win a $100 gift card for encouraging your families and staff to complete the 2020 U.S. Census! Submit your signed parent logs to census@elcduval.org and your name will be placed in the weekly drawings! You can win more than once!
Why is it critical for everyone to complete the Census?
- It’s your civic duty.
- It affects the amount of federal funding the City of Jacksonville will receive for the next ten years.
- It impacts our child care, schools, hospitals and highways.
- It determines the number of Florida representatives we have in Washington D.C.
The State of Florida has lost millions of dollars each year as a result of a population under count in 2010. Let’s not let that happen again! #2020 Census #BouncefortheCount #DuvalFamilies
Program Quality & Assessments
Guiding Stars Interest Meeting – Final Call!
Many child care providers have contacted the ELC of Duval and expressed an interest in participating in Guiding Stars of Duval (GSOD). The final virtual one-on-one or small group meetings will be held in July. The interest meetings will address eligibility, program requirements, the validation process and the awesome benefits of being a GSOD provider. Please email lhicks@eldduval.org to learn what it takes to become a GSOD center or family child care home. Be sure to state “Guiding Stars” in the email subject line.
Family Engagement
Promote Early Literacy
The Office of Early Learning and the Department of Education are working hand-in-hand to bridge prekindergarten and K-3 early literacy policies and practices to better support a seamless approach to early literacy efforts. Click here for ten easy ways to promote literacy.
Office of Early Learning’s Parents’ Pages
Believe it or not, the first day of school for Duval County is August 10 and that’s just a month away! Fortunately, the Office of Early Learning has all the information you need to get families and providers ready for the new school year. Click here for information about immunizations, the Back to School Tax Free Holiday and getting ready for VPK.
