ELC Big Bend Partners with CSC Leon
The Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region, Inc. announces their partnership with Children’s Services Council of Leon County
Tallahassee, Florida – It comes as no question to working parents that quality child care plays a critical role in their child’s development; early learning programs have been shown to lay the foundation for social, developmental, and cognitive skills. Affording such programs, however, can prove to be difficult for many families in our community. The recently announced partnership between the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region, Inc. (ELC) and the Children’s Services Council of Leon County (CSC) aims to expand services for child care assistance, thereby allowing a broader audience to access affordable child care.
A recent study shows that forty-nine percent of Leon County falls into the ALICE population – those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. Families living paycheck to paycheck cannot meet all their basic needs of food, housing, health care, transportation, and – of course – child care.
“Here at ELC, we are in the business of children,” explained Lizbeth Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of ELC. “Our goal day in and day out is to ensure that we are serving as many children as possible to uphold our mission of ensuring that every child is prepared for success in school. This partnership with the Children Services Council of Leon County will assist in getting closer to that goal by allowing us to support even more families in the Big Bend Region.”
The partnership will allow Leon County families living below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to apply for School Readiness, ELC’s child care assistance program. Before this partnership, families could apply if they lived below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. The difference, as shown in the chart below, will allow for many more families to become eligible:
| Household Size | 150% FPL | 200% FPL |
| 2 | $29,580 | $39,440 |
| 3 | $37,290 | $49,720 |
| 4 | $45,000 | $60,000 |
| 5 | $52,710 | $70,280 |
The School Readiness Program (SR) offers child care assistance for children from birth to 12 years old. In addition to income eligibility, caregivers must be working or participating in an educational activity, such as attending college or trade school, at least 20 hours per week. Families must also pay a copayment for child care based on income and family size. Caregivers can choose from private centers, public schools, and family child care homes.
“CSC Leon is very proud to partner with ELC to help more families access quality child care,” said Cecka Green, Executive Director of CSC. “Most exciting is that—through leveraging state and federal funds—families residing in the six adjacent counties served by ELC can also be assisted.” She further explained, “This type of partnership is just what the citizens of Leon County had in mind when they approved the formation of CSC Leon in 2020, and we will continue the work of establishing more programming to help children, youth, and families that live and work in our community.”
About Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend
The Early Coalition of the Big Bend Region, Inc. (ELC) works collaboratively with families, their children, and local child care providers to help prepare children for success in school and support families’ ability to work. Family support services include tuition assistance programs, child care information services, and community referrals that support each family’s success. In addition, child care providers can receive training and assessments through ELC, ensuring compliance for quality care and support within their communities. ELC’s service area includes Gadsden, Jefferson, Madison, Liberty, Leon, Taylor, and Wakulla counties. To learn more or to apply for child care assistance, please click here.
About Children’s Services Council Leon County
Approved by a majority of the Leon County electorate in the November 2020 general election, CSC Leon has been established to provide children with early learning and reading skills, development, treatment, preventative, and other children’s services. As an independent special district authorized by section 125.901, Florida Statutes, CSC Leon will provide funding for these children’s services throughout the County by annually levying ad valorem taxes, not exceeding the maximum millage rate of one-half (1/2) mill. You can learn more about their efforts in the community by visiting www.cscleon.org/
