Inclusion Warm Line 

 Are you the parent of a young child with special needs? 
Do you have questions about how to access services your child may need?
Are you looking for child care for your special needs child?

  We’re here to help!
  Call (877) 840-5437

School Readiness Program Information
The school readiness program offers quality early learning experiences to young children with the goal of preparing them for later school success.  The Coalition works to offer parents a wide variety of early learning options for their children, including licensed child care centers, license-exempt child care centers, family child care homes, and school-based classrooms.  The Coalition works to ensure that all participating providers offer quality programs that meet the requirements of law.  School readiness providers offer programs that include:

 

  • Research-based early learning activities and instruction
  • Developmentally appropriate curriculum
  • Literacy programs
  • Character development programs
  • Individual education plans
  • Healthy and safe environments
  • Appropriate staff-to-child ratios
  • Personnel with required qualifications
  • Family-friendly environment that supports parent involvement opportunities
  • Parent support services

The school readiness program is open to qualifying children that apply through the simplified point of entry.  As funding becomes available, children are placed in the program according to the Coalition's established priorities.  Parents or caregivers are assigned a parent fee based on the Coalition's sliding fee scale.

To receive further information, please contact the following local agencies.

In Citrus County:

Childhood Development Services, Inc.

5641 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy.

Crystal River, FL  34429

(352) 795-2667

In Dixie, Gilchrist, or Levy County:

Childhood Development Services, Inc.

212 N. Main St.

Chiefland, FL  32626

(352) 493-1093

In Sumter County:

Childhood Development Services, Inc.

342 Shopping Center Dr.

Wildwood, FL  34785

(352) 748-4005

To apply online, visit https://spe.schoolreadiness.org/pe/.

 

For a listing of participating school readiness providers throughout our service area, please call or visit your local Childhood Development Services office.

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program Information
The voluntary pre-kindergarten program was voted into law by Florida's voters in 2002.  The program began with the 2005 - 2006 school year.  Children who turn 4 years old prior to September 1 are eligible to participate.  This program is free to parents, and is entirely voluntary.

 

 

Florida law mandates a school year program which will encompass 540 instructional hours or a summer program which will encompass 300 instructional hours.  Parents may choose ONE of the two options.  Classes will be available at a variety of programs throughout the area.

 

Parents may obtain more information about voluntary pre-kindergarten at the state's website www.vpkflorida.com or by visiting Childhood Development Services.  Please see addresses above.

To apply online, visit https://spe.schoolreadiness.org/pe/.

VPK Parent Application Download

For a listing of participating voluntary pre-kindergarten providers throughout our service area, please call or visit your local Childhood Development Services office.

Useful Links
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Information     www.vpkflorida.com
Childhood Development Services, Inc.     www.childhooddevelopment.org 
Office of Early Learning     www.floridajobs.org/earlylearning
Florida Diagnostic Learning and Resources System     www.fdlrs.org
Zero to Three:  National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families     www.zerotothree.org
Get Ready to Read     www.getreadytoread.org
Born Learning     www.bornlearning.org
National Association for the Education of Young Children     www.naeyc.org
Voices for Florida's Children     www.floridakids.org
I Am Your Child Foundation    www.iamyourchild.org
National Head Start Association     www.nhsa.org
Florida KidCare:  Child Health Insurance You Can Afford!     www.floridakidcare.org

Office of Domestic Violence Program & Information     http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/domesticviolence/

Department of Children & Families:  Economic Self Sufficiency Assistance     http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/
Child Care Licensing     www.myflorida.com/childcare
Child Care Aware     www.childcareaware.org
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA)     www.naccrra.org

CLM Workforce Connection - serving Citrus, Levy, and Marion Counties
www.clmworkforce.com

Florida Crown Workforce Board, Inc. - serving Dixie and Gilchrist Counties
www.floridacrown.org
Workforce Central Florida - serving Sumter County
www.workforcecentralflorida.com