Early Learning Coalition of the Nature Coast Inc

A Citrus county family with two young children earning $19,891 a year will spend about 50 percent of their income on child care.  With the help of the Early Learning Coalition of the Nature Coast, this same family would qualify for financial assistance through the School Readiness program allowing them to spend just 7 percent of their income on child care.

Families with low incomes in Citrus county who are trying to work or get training to work may be eligible for school readiness help.  The School Readiness program currently serves 775 Citrus county children.

The School Readiness Program offers financial assistance to low-income families for early child education and care so families can become financially self-sufficient and their young children can be successful in school in the future.

Services vary based on individual need and range from extended day to extended year and school age care in some instances.

The program takes into account a child's physical, social, emotional and intellectual development; involves parents as their child's first teacher; prepares children to be ready for school; and gives parents information about child development and other topics of interest.

The Citrus county School Readiness program provides developmental screenings for children and referrals to health and educational specialists.  Our staff works in cooperation with other programs for young children in the Citrus county community such as Head Start, Early Head Start, and Florida's Voluntary Pre Kindergarten (VPK) program.

We need your donations.  For every $1.00 you give, the coalition receives $15.67 in federal funds!  100% of your donation goes directly toward a child's education in Citrus County.  

Thank you for considering the children and families of Citrus county in your charitable giving plans.