Early Learning Coalition Joins a Voluntary Prekindergarten Initiative

Sept. 21, 2015 - PRLog -- The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida and the Association of Early Learning Coalitions (AELC) launched an exciting new partnership, Cradle to College^TM to support Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program. The effort is in coordination with the Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) and in partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Board.

The first-of-its-kind partnership begins with the distribution of VPK calendars that feature learning resources and college savings information for approximately 170,000 families with four-year-old children enrolled in VPK programs across the state. Florida Prepaid will also attend literacy events and Children’s Week celebrations organized by early learning coalitions throughout the year to meet with families and provide more information about savings options that meet varying household budgets and needs.

“We are so excited to partner with Florida Prepaid on the Cradle to College ^TM,” said Matt Guse, Chair of the Association of Early Learning Coalitions. “This initiative gives families learning activities to support their children’s school readiness and important information to save for their children’s college education.”

Susan Block, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida adds, "We are delighted to participate in this initiative with the association and Florida Prepaid education. Our VPK providers told us they love the calendars that are filled with learning activities for parents to use with their preschool child. The goal is to provide useful information for families about how to support education in the short term and plan for their child's long-term education too. "

Florida’s VPK is the largest in the country, and children who attend VPK are more likely to enter kindergarten ready for school. Cradle to College ^TM is the next step for families in helping their children be successful.  According to research by the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, saving for college leads to greater college success.  Their study found that “children with $1 to $499 designated for school are 2.5 times more likely to enroll and graduate from college than children with no account.” A 2013 report from the Assets and Education Initiative at the University of Kansas found that “children from minority or low-income families with as little as $500 in savings for college are three times more likely to attend school and four times more likely to graduate than their peers.”

The timing of the launch coincides with the start of the VPK year and Open Enrollment for the Prepaid Plans, which begins October 15^th.

ABOUT THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida exists to enhance the quality of children’s lives by providing families, early childhood educators, caregivers and community partners in Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties opportunities to positively impact the future. For details on our many services or to donate, please visit http://www.ELCofSWFL.org or call (239) 935-6100.