education Operation Kaleidoscope Looks to Change the Status of Child Care by: Julie Weber, Communications and Outreach Specialist, Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida
A
lthough Florida has long been called the Sunshine State, the outlook for children in the panhandle region is getting a whole lot brighter these days; particularly
the area sustained considerable damage or total destruction. After surveying the damage, the Coalition worked to identify the needs
those affected by the child care crisis after Hurricane Michael. Like
of Bay County’s struggling child care providers and address the
so many others who began the journey towards rebuilding, the
issue of families needing to find child care, as a number of facilities
Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida (ELCNWF) is focused
had to close their doors for good. The goal was to focus recov-
on the recovery of the community by concentrating on the child
ery efforts on those needs that would have the greatest impact
care industry, which has only continued to struggle with the added
on the industry and children in the community. Our Coalition, in
stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ELCNWF serves children
partnership with the Florida Department of Education Office of
and families in Bay County, and six other surrounding Counties, by
Early Learning, submitted a Hurricane Michael disaster recovery
providing access to resources and referrals for all early education
application through the U.S. Health and Human Services’ Child
and care needs including the School Readiness Program and Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) program. The Coalition administers
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In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, many child care providers in
Care Disaster Fund and awaited a response.
grant funding and works with small businesses such as child care
On October 9, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis visited our office
centers, family child care homes, faith-based child care facilities,
in Panama City to announce a $5.2 Million Disaster Recovery
and preschools to cultivate and invest in early childhood educators
Grant awarded to ELCNWF with the purpose to rebuild childcare
and their programs. In addition to our regular services, the organi-
facilities, offer support and resources for developmental screen-
zation also launched Operation Kaleidoscope, a Hurricane Michael
ings and expand mental health services in the area to promote
disaster recovery program, in the fall of 2020.
the recovery from Hurricane Michael. Operation Kaleidoscope in
BAY BIZ / SUMMER 2021
