Report Suspected Fraud:

To report any misuse of funds, please contact our fraud hotline at (904) 208-2040, ext. 287. The compliance team will review your complaint and investigate it or refer it to the appropriate agency.

 Florida State Statutes for ELC of Duval:

The Early Learning Coalition of Duval was created, along with 31 other Early Learning Coalitions across the state, by Florida State Statute 411.01.

In addition to providing financial assistance for child care and school readiness, the ELC of Duval is statutorily required to build a coalition of partners and advocates to coordinate local services for children from birth thru kindergarten. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Providing Child Care Resource & Referral services
• Providing Inclusion Warm-Line services
• Determining child care financial assistance eligibility procedures
• Determining child performance standards
• Providing Child developmental health and/or academic development screening and assessment
• Determining developmentally appropriate curricula
• Ensuring health and safety requirements
• Coordinating with statewide data system requirements
• Building and implementing an optional quality rating and improvement systems (in Duval, Guiding Stars of Duval)

Subsequently in 2005, State of Florida voters approved a Constitutional Amendment to provide a high-quality Voluntary
Pre-Kindergarten experience for children who reside in Florida and are 4-years-old by September 1st of the program year.

• CLICK HERE for a list of "frequently asked questions" about the VPK program.
• This program was implemented by Florida Statute 1002.5.
   

 Rilya Wilson Act:

A Rilya Wilson child is defined as any child, birth to kindergarten, receiving school readiness services as a result of an open abuse and neglect case.

• Click Here for more details on the Florida Statute.
• The provider, caring for a child in the Protective Services Program, must notify the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or community-based care agency within 24 hours of any unexcused absence or 7 consecutive days of excused absences, and SUBMIT THIS FORM to Family Support Services of North Florida.
   

 School Readiness Curriculum Updates:

In 2012, Florida was directed to adopt a statewide curricula list for School Readiness Providers. 

• CLICK HERE for the final 2014-15 Approved School Readiness Curricula List.
  This only applies to centers that have a School Readiness Agreement.
• For more information regarding curriculum, please contact the Office of Early Learning.
• CLICK HERE to view answers to some "Frequently Asked Questions."
   

 Documentation of Attendance Policy:

This Documentation of Attendance Policy is based on Florida Rules 6M‐4.502, 6M‐4.503, 6M‐8.305, the School Readiness Provider Contract items 20, 21 and the VPK Provider Agreement items 16, 17, 32.

These rules require the School Readiness parent, legal guardian or other authorized person (18 or older) to sign EACH child in and out from the childcare provider using a valid signature, date, and time.

• CLICK HERE to read the full policy and find further explanation of the listed terms.
• CLICK HERE to read the FL sign in/out rules or visit www.flrules.org/gateway/search.asp for more information.

 HB 7165 Q & A from the Office of Early Learning:

During the 2013 session, the Florida Legislature passed important early learning legislation. HB 7165 is designed to improve quality and bring more accountability and transparency to the state’s early learning programs. The law moves the Office of Early Learning into the Florida Department of Education, consolidates current FDOE duties and responsibilities for voluntary prekindergarten within OEL and implements a number of changes to the current system.

 Roster FAQs:

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for rosters and reimbursement for School Readiness and VPK providers.

 Whistleblower Policy:

Rationale for Policy

The President & CEO will ensure compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), Section 1107 and Section 1513 of the Title 18 USC that makes it illegal for the Coalition to punish whistleblowers or retaliate against any Coalition employee who reports suspected cases of fraud or abuse. Coalition employees shall follow the linked policy (above) to report all suspicions of fraud or abuse. Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) Whistleblower Act:

• It is illegal for any Coalition's board members or managing staff to punish whistleblowers or retaliate against any Coalition's employee who reports suspected cases of fraud or abuse (SOX, Section 1107, Section 1513 of Title 18, USC.)

It is a crime for any Coalition's board members or managing staff or any staff to direct any Coalition's employee to alter, cover up, falsify, or destroy any document that may be relevant to an official investigation (SOX, Section 1102, section 1512 of Title 18, USC).

 Early Learning & Development Standards – Birth to Five:

• CLICK HERE to see Rule 6M-4.700
• Florida Early Learning & Developmental Standards: Birth to Five

 Screening of Children in the School Readiness Program:

• CLICK HERE to see Rule 6M-4.720
• State of Florida SR Program Parent Option to Decline Child Screening Form.

 Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Parent Guide:

• CLICK HERE to see Rule 6M-8.2011