School Readiness

Before children attend prekindergarten, they gain from experiences that help them be ready for school. School Readiness (SR) funds pay a portion of the childcare costs for low-to-moderate income earning families, so families can become financially self-sufficient and their young children can be successful in school in the future. This also allows parents to focus on their own professional and educational goals, ensuring their family’s security and growth.

The children in School Readiness programs are assisted through developmentally appropriate early learning programs, screenings and assessments to assist them in getting ready for school. Our staff and our community partners work to ensure children in Pinellas County have access to the support and resources needed to be ready to enter school and succeed.

Children from low to moderate-income working families or with other identiﬁed risk factors, may receive scholarships to attend an early education program. Eligibility is determined by the parents’ income and must not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level. Participants in this program receive a developmentally appropriate curriculum, character education and a developmental screening. Additionally, this program allows parents to focus on professional and educational goals and begin to break the poverty cycle.

Eligibility

HOUSEHOLD SIZE

MAXIMUM HOUSEHOLD INCOME

$33,820

$42,660

$51,500

$60,340

$69,180

$78,020

WHO QUALIFIES?

Children from birth to thirteen years old

Children living in income economically disadvantaged families

Children with special needs or developmental concerns

Parents or guardians that receive TANF

Children under Protective Services

Children in foster care

Children living in certiﬁed domestic violence centers

Children who are homeless

DOES YOUR FAMILY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS?

APPLY NOW

How to Renew Your Eligibility

All eligibility documents and uploads are now available on the OEL Family Portal.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you donot have an account or can’t remember your username, please contact the ELC Portal Helpdesk. 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 Coalition’s Eligibility
Department at 727-400-4411.

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 DO I GET A VERIFICATION LETTER STATING THAT 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?

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 the Portal Helpdesk at portal.helpdesk@elcpinellas.org.

I HAVE A FAMILY PORTAL ACCOUNT BUT CANNOT REMEMBER THE PASSWORD.

Please select “Forgot My Password” beneath the “Log On” button. Please keep your username and password in a safe location, as this will be the only way to make changes or re-certify your eligibility.

I AM AN ACTIVE ELC CLIENT WITH A CHILD IN SR SERVICES BUT I DON'T HAVE A FAMILY PORTAL ACCOUNT.

Please contact the ELC Portal Helpdesk at portal.helpdesk@elcpinellas.org. Do not create an account on your own as that will not link to your current eligibility.

I AM AN ACTIVE ELC CLIENT WITH A CHILD CURRENTLY IN SR SERVICES. I ALREADY HAVE A FAMILY PORTAL ACCOUNT, BUT I CAN’T REMEMBER MY USER NAME.

Please contact the ELC Portal Helpdesk at potal.helpdesk@elcpinellas.org. Do not create an account on your own as that will not link to your current eligibility.

HOW WILL THE ELC CONTACT ME?

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.

IF I ALREADY HAVE AN EXISTING VPK ACCOUNT, CAN I USE THAT SAME ACCOUNT FOR SCHOOL READINESS SERVICES?

Please log on to the Family Portal account you have already created. If you are experiencing difficulties, please contact the ELC Portal Helpdesk at potal.helpdesk@elcpinellas.org. Do not create an account on your own as that will not link to your current eligibility.

I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A SCANNER OR NEED ASSISTANCE UPLOADING DOCUMENTS.

Please visit either our Clearwater or St. Petersburg locations to utilize the kiosks.

HOW DO I RE-CERTIFY?

Log on to your Family Portal account.
Under the School Readiness Applications section, click on “Verify Eligibility” blue button.
You will be directed to the Eligibility Wizard. Click start to begin the process.
When you reach the end of the application, please sign electronically exactly as your name appears on the record and click “Submit Eligibility Verification”.
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.
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.

I AM UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION WIZARD. HOW DO I UPLOAD MY DOCUMENTS?

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”.
The “Edit” button will appear for you to select.
The next screen will give you the prompt to “Upload Document".

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY RE-CERTIFICATION IS COMPLETE? MY CHILD IS NOT SHOWING UP ON MY PROVIDER’S ATTENDANCE ROSTER.

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).
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.
Your provider can then log onto their attendance roster and complete your child’s attendance.
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.

HOW DO I DO A TRANSFER FROM ONE PROVIDER TO ANOTHER?

Download and print the Child Transfer Form.
Complete the Transfer form with your current and new providers.
Fax completed form to 727-400-4486 or drop off at one of the ELC locations.
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)
You will be asked to read and accept the Parental Rights and Responsibilities/Terms and Conditions. Please electronically sign the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.
Your provider can then log onto their attendance roster and complete your child’s attendance.
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.

I HAVE SUBMITTED MY TRANSFER FORM IN, BUT HOW DO I KNOW WHEN IT’S COMPLETE? MY CHILD IS NOT SHOWING UP ON THE NEW PROVIDER’S ATTENDANCE ROSTERS.

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).
You will be asked to read and accept the Parental Rights and Responsibilities/Terms and Conditions. Please electronically sign the Payment Certificate exactly how your name appears on the record to complete the process.
Your provider can then log onto their attendance roster and complete your child’s attendance.
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.

HOW DO I TEMPORARILY SUSPEND MY CHILD’S CARE?

If eligible for a temporary termination, download and print the Temporary Termination Request form.
Complete the Temporary Termination form with your current provider.
Fax completed form to 727-400-4486 or drop off at one of the ELC locations.

WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER?

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.

Lovingly Funded By