Child Care Programs and Other Resources Your family may be eligible for other early learning programs and services for you or your children from
Child Care Programs and Other Resources Your family may be eligible for other early learning programs and services for you or your children from infant through school age.
School Readiness Programs
Families may be eligible for financial assistance for child care through the School Readiness Program if they are low-income, working parents and/or are at-risk, abused or economically disadvantaged. School Readiness Coordinating Services offer up front, one on one enrollment and eligibility services to families. Child Care Subsidy is authorized in collaboration with partnering agencies. To apply for the School Readiness Waiting List visit the web page: https://familyservices2.floridaearlylearning.com. In order to make these services more accessible to families within their communities, information on intake services in conjunction with Child Care Resource & Referral services are available at: https://www.elchc.org
Primary Exceptional Education Preschool Services (PEEPS)
The Hillsborough County Public Schools Prekindergarten ESE Program provides services to children, ages three to five, who have a developmental delay/disability which requires educational intervention. This educational environment offers many opportunities for active learning experiences in key developmental areas and intervention for individual special needs is interwoven into the curriculum as appropriate for each child. For more information, please call (813)837-7745 or visit the web page: http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/departments/131
Hillsborough County Public Schools Head Start
Head Start is a federally funded, comprehensive, child development program that encompasses all aspects of a child's development and learning. Upon entry into the program each eligible three and four year old child receives required screenings to determine their overall health status, developmental strengths, needs and areas of concern such as the possibility of a serious delay or disability. Using appropriate observation assessment procedures, staff and parents follow each child's progress. Through this process, they come to know the child's strengths, interests, needs and learning styles which allow for individualized curriculum experiences that support learning and development. Head Start services are provided at no cost to the parent. For more information, please call (813)740-7870 or visit the web page: http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/departments/180/headstart/about/
Board of County Commissioner Head Start/Early Head Start
Hillsborough County BOCC Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide early childhood development and education; medical, dental, and mental health; nutrition; parent involvement opportunities; and family support services. Head Start and Early Head Start are early childhood programs for low-income families with children ages 0 to 4, including those with special needs. Head Start contracts with Hillsborough County Public Schools for part-day daycare in elementary schools during the school year. Head Start/Early Head Start services are provided at no cost to the parent. For more information, please call (813) 272-5140 or visit the web page: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/headstart
Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VPK)
The VPK Program is an opportunity for every four-year-old who resides in Florida to attend a free preschool program that includes a developmentally appropriate curricula and small class sizes. In addition, children born between Feb. 2 and Sept. 1 may attend VPK either that program year or postpone attending until the following program year as long as the child has not yet been admitted to kindergarten. The program gives families three choices to participate: a 540 instructional hour school year program, a 300 instructional hour summer program, or Specialized Instructional Services. Parents must register online via the web page https://www.elchc.org/programs_services/vpk-families/. Children entering kindergarten for the first time will participate in a readiness screening. VPK services are provided at no cost to the parent. For more information, please call the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County at (813)515-2340 or visit the web page: http://www.elchc.org
Before and After School Programs Before and after school programs are offered by a variety of providers that include private child care centers, family child care homes, faith-based providers, the public schools, non-profit agencies and local government. For information on these providers contact Child Care Resource & Referral at (813)906-5041; toll free (877)781-3094 or visit http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/child-care/parent-resources
Other Resources Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Child Care Resource and Referral provides to parent consumer information on how to choose quality child care, community resources, and a customized list of child care providers for their specific child care needs. Service is provided to all persons requesting a listing of providers regardless of income or other eligibility factors. Confidentiality of parents and providers is maintained. Services are provided at no cost. For more CCR&R information, please call (813)906-5041; toll free (877)781-3094 or visit the web page: https://www.elchc.org/programs_services/child-care-resource-referral/
Hillsborough County Child Care Licensing Office The Child Care Licensing Office monitors child care programs for conditions essential for children's safety, healthy development and learning, as set forth in the County Ordinances. They raise awareness of the importance of early years through training opportunities and public education and maintain an ongoing partnership with the community and its many resources pertaining to children's issues. To locate specific child care arrangements and view provider inspection report information, please call (813) 264-3925 or visit the web page: http://sanswrite.hillsboroughcounty.org/public/ Florida Kid Care and Healthy Kids Florida KidCare is our state’s children’s health insurance program for uninsured children birth through 18. When you apply for the insurance, Florida KidCare will check for which program your child may be eligible based on age and family income. For more information, please call 1-888-540-5437 or visit the web page: www.floridakidcare.org/ Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) -Child Find Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district exceptional student education programs statewide. Child Find is a service within FDLRS which assists parents and schools with the early identification of children, birth through age 21, who have, or are at risk of, a disability. Child Find is a free service and parents are under no obligation to enroll their child in any service. For more information, please call (813)837-7777 or visit the web page: http://fdlrs.mysdhc.org.
211- Crisis Center of Tampa Bay's Community Resources 211 is a community resource service of free crisis counseling along with useful information and referrals, such as, employment, financial, food, legal, mental health, shelter, and many more. The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For information, please call 211 or visit the web page: www.211atyourfingertips.org Earned Income Credit The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families. The tax credit is based on earnings, number of qualifying children, and filing status. Other tax credits available include the Child Tax Credit (CTC), Elderly Credit, and Disability Credit. For more information, please visit the web page: www.irs.gov/eitc
Child Care Programs Flyer- revised 5-11-2017
