The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County is one of 31 Coalitions located throughout the
state of Florida. These Coalitions were originally created in May of 1999 as a component of
Florida Statute 411- the School Readiness Act.

Meeting the First Education Goal: School Readiness

The intent of the School Readiness Act was to create a locally designed, operated, and
managed system of fully integrated and coordinated school readiness programs with a state-
level partnership providing overall leadership for coordinating programmatic, administrative,
and fiscal policies and standards. Local coalitions are responsible for examining local
programs and delivery systems, establishing concrete steps to improve service integration,
efficiency, and quality, and developing an evaluation plan to measure progress in meeting the
goals it establishes. In order to accomplish these requirements, coalitions must understand the
strengths and needs in their communities and develop multiple community partnerships and
action steps for service continuation, service improvements, and to address gaps in service.
Service delivery, as defined by the Act, includes early education and care, screening and
assessment, and parenting supports. Local coalitions are required to develop strategies to
bring school readiness partners together, develop concrete steps to integrate services,
identify mechanisms to increase efficiencies, and implement quality improvement activities.

School Readiness Goals

The School Readiness Act requires a community plan to address the
needs of all eligible children. In order for children to be ready for school, the following goals
(as identified in F.S. 411.01) must be addressed in the community plan:

• Goal 1: School readiness programs shall prepare children for success in school.

• Goal 2: School readiness programs shall involve parents as their child's first teacher and
  support family skill building.

• Goal 3: School readiness programs shall be an integrated and seamless system of services and shall be implemented through local coalitions.

• Goal 4: School readiness programs shall be coordinated and public funding integrated to
  achieve effectiveness and efficiency.

Upon enactment of HB1A in January 2005, the Coalition also became responsible for the implementation and administration of the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program, which serves 4 year old children. The Coalition administers the VPK Program for children who are receiving that service only, as well as integrating VPK into the School Readiness component, when applicable.

Note: The School Readiness Act is viewable online here.