Press Releases
The Early Learning Coalition of Seminole would like to announce three new members to the Board of Directors.
August 17, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Grant
Executive Director
407-871-1104 (Office)
LAKE MARY, FL - Early Learning Coalition of Seminole Welcomes New Board Member Appointees
At its July 23, 2009 Board Meeting, three new members were appointed to the Early Learning Coalition of Seminole's Board of Directors:
- Cynthia Blackwell of Winter Park has been appointed a four-year term with the Coalition.
Cynthia Blackwell has been a resident of Central Florida for over 16 years. Her work experience has been in the area of telecommunications and recently within information technology. Cynthia recently established her own firm, CBlackwell and Associates LLC. She is an avid believer in getting involved and giving back to the community. As mother of six and grandmother of one, Cynthia has been a passionate supporter of children and children's needs for most of her adult life. She believes the most important legacy to leave behind are the visions and future accomplishments of our children. Cynthia is an active member of the Seminole Regional Chamber of Commerce, recently appointed to the Board Directors and is the chairperson for the Small Business Industry Group. In 2006, she was appointed Community Based Care of Seminole County's Volunteer of the Year. - Melanie F. Chase of Winter Springs has been appointed a four-year term with the Coalition.
Melanie Chase has a Juris Doctorate, University of Florida, College of Law and is a member of the Florida Bar. Her areas of practice are Business Litigation and Property Rights. She brings a wealth of volunteer experience to the Coalition, including being on the Boards of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Orlando and Habitat for Humanity Seminole County. She is also the Vice Chair of South Seminole Hospital Women's Health Advisory Board. Melanie has won the Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award, Legal Aid Society's Edward C. Smith Award for Pro Bono Services, and was elected "Orlando's Finest" Outstanding Professional from Cystic Fibrosis. As a lifelong resident of Seminole County and a former student of its exceptional public schools, Melanie understands the commitment required to maintain that high level of education and the importance of early learning to that process. - Nancy Freeman of Winter Springs has been appointed a four-year term with the Coalition.
Nancy Freeman is a firm believer that education is the key to personal and professional success; in order for this to occur, a love of learning must begin early in life. Nancy's parents instilled this love of learning in her, and encouraged her as she completed her MBA and Masters in Computer Science. She worked as an I.T. District Manager for AT&T supporting their Procurement applications, exhibiting managerial, organizational, negotiation and financial skills. After 21 years with AT&T, Nancy retired in 2006. She has worked with all executive levels, people from diverse backgrounds and those with differing objectives. This diversity has enabled Nancy to develop the ability to bring all disparate personalities together to achieve the mission and goal of the project underway. She volunteers as a mentor for Take Stock in Children from 2006 to 2009, and therefore understands the importance of early learning on a child's development.
The Early Learning Coalition is a not-for-profit organization which provides assistance to Seminole County parents with young children, from birth through entering Kindergarten, to locate high quality early education and care providers who prepare children to enter school ready and eager to learn.
For further information regarding the Coalition call 407-871-1101 or go on-line to www.seminoleearlylearning.org.
The Early Learning Coalition of Seminole would like to announce Governor Charlie Christ's reappointment of Mr. Bob O'Malley as Board of Directors Chair for his second, four-year term.
August 12, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Grant
Executive Director
407-871-1104 (Office)
LAKE MARY, FL - Early Learning Coalition of Seminole Announces the Governor's Reappointment of Board of Director's Chair Bob O'Malley
Bob O'Malley is Resident Vice President of State Government and Community Affairs in Florida for CSX Transportation. In this role, he is responsible for government relations and public affairs throughout Florida. Bob previously held positions as a public affairs consultant for Ron Sachs Communications, and as Director of Public Affairs and Strategic Planning for Metroplan Orlando, the regional transportation planning organization for Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties. Bob also serves as a member of the Seminole County Board of Adjustment.
Bob is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees. He also is a graduate of the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Bob lives in Altamonte Springs, Florida, with his wife and three children.
The Early Learning Coalition is a not-for-profit organization which provides assistance to Seminole County parents with young children, from birth through entering Kindergarten, to locate high quality early education and care providers who prepare children to enter school ready and eager to learn.
For further information regarding the Coalition call 407-871-1101 or go on-line to www.seminoleearlylearning.org.
Early Learning Coalition of Seminole County Appoints New Executive Director
July 7, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bob O'Malley
407-470-0652 (Office)
LAKE MARY, FL - The Early Learning Coalition of Seminole County has hired Jennifer Grant as Executive Director.
"We are excited to have Jennifer Grant as our new Executive Director," stated Bob O'Malley, Chairman of the Seminole Early Learning Coalition. "Her professional experience working on behalf of children, combined with her business expertise, will be a valuable asset to the children and families of Seminole County."
Grant was previously the Director of Programs for the Orange County Citizens' Commission for Children. She has also worked for the Central Florida YMCA and as a teacher for Orange County Public School Systems. Grant earned an MBA from Rollins College Crummer School of Business and a Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
For more information about the Early Learning Coalition of Seminole County, please visit www.seminoleearlylearning.org.
Early Learning Coalition to Boost Summer Learning in Graduating VPK Students
May 12, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Debby Torres
Director of Community Affairs
407-871-1102 (Office)
407-968-6867 (Cell)
debby@seminoleearlylearning.org
The Early Learning Coalition of Seminole will be distributing 2700 backpacks filled with educational materials and summer activity calendars to the children of the 2006 - 2007 VPK class. The purpose of the "VPK Summer Play" initiative is to provide children with activities and learning materials that will aid them by incorporating the skills learned throughout the VPK school year into a fun and educational experience.
"Our providers work so hard throughout the year to give our children every educational advantage, we want to ensure that these skills continue to be refined throughout the three month summer break." said Linda LaFitte, Director of Quality Services for the Coalition. "With the recent release of the VPK readiness rates we have concrete data to support the value of the VPK program. With the long summer ahead the "VPK Summer Play" initiative will help increase Kindergarten readiness." said Debby Torres, Director of Community Affairs for the Coalition.
VPK providers, Coalition staff and board members, and community leaders will be gathering at the Coalition office at 239 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, FL 32746 on Thursday, May 17th beginning at 9:00 a.m. to prepare the backpacks. There will be a mandatory VPK provider meeting on Thursday, May 17th at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 760 North Sun Drive, Lake Mary, FL 32746 where the providers will receive their backpacks for distribution to VPK graduating class.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
- The media is invited to film/photograph community volunteers preparing the backpacks beginning at 9:00 a.m. on May 17th.
- Interview opportunities with Coalition staff, board members, VPK providers and community members. (Interview opportunities are from 9:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. unless otherwise arranged)
- Media coverage of VPK providers distributing the backpacks to their VPK class (Friday May 18th) can be arranged by contacting Debby Torres prior to the event.
ABOUT THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SEMINOLE
Incorporated in 2000, the Coalition is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. The Coalition's mission is to assist Seminole County parents with young children to locate high quality early care and education providers who prepare children to enter school ready and eager to learn.
The Early Learning Coalition of Seminole served over 3100 children in Seminole County VPK during the 2006 - 2007 school year. Certificates for the Summer 2007 and 2007-2008 program are currently being issued.
For more information on the VPK program or the Early Learning Coalition of Seminole please call 407-871-1102 or visit www.seminoleearlylearning.org.
Casselberry Rotary Invests in Seminole County's Future
February 22, 2007
Casselberry, FL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Debby Torres
Director of Community Affairs
407-871-1102 (Office)
407-968-6867 (Cell)
debby@seminoleearlylearning.org
The Rotary Club of Casselberry has contributed $500.00 to the Early Learning Coalition to help provide early education and care services to the children of Seminole County's working poor. This contribution will bring the Coalition nearly $8,000 for program slots.
Albert Cook, President of the Casselberry Rotary said of the contribution "Obviously, there is a great deal of sentiment among our members for the Coalition's work and for the importance that education has in this community".
Debby Torres, Director of Community Affairs for the Early Learning Coalition of Seminole said "The Casselberry Rotary exemplifies the true meaning of a civic organization. They appreciate that an investment in our community's children is an investment in our economic future. We are very grateful for their support."
The Coalition is required to raise local dollars each year to support the subsidized child care program for low income, working families. Every dollar received is matched at the federal level at a rate of 16:1 and 100% of all contributions are used to directly fund program slots. The Coalition serves over 2200 children each month in the subsidized child care program and currently has over 400 Seminole County children on the waitlist for services. For more information on the Coalition and partnership opportunities please visit www.seminoleearlylearning.org or call 407-871-1102.
Coalition Provides $10,000 in Scholarship Awards for Early Childhood Education Students at SCC
January 22, 2007
Lake Mary, FL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Debby Torres
Director of Community Affairs
407-871-1102 (Office)
407-968-6867 (Cell)
debby@seminoleearlylearning.org
The Early Learning Coalition of Seminole recently partnered with Seminole Community College's (SCC) Foundation to establish a $10,000 scholarship which will benefit the College's Early Childhood Education students. The award, which will be matched by the state, will provide scholarship assistance to SCC students pursuing a Child Development Associate credential or an Associate in Science degree in Early Childhood Education.
The principal function of the Early Learning Coalition of Seminole is to support early childhood school readiness in Seminole County.
"This scholarship program will support aspiring teachers and child care providers in Seminole County," said Debby Torres, Early Learning Coalition of Seminole Director of Community Affairs.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to get a sense of community support as they pursue their teaching careers," said SCC's Program Manager of Child Development Nana Robertson.
Five hundred dollar scholarships are available to qualified students enrolled in SCC's Early Childhood Education programs and cover the cost of tuition, books and fees. Students must submit an application, have a high school diploma, be 18 years of age or older and be employed in Seminole County to apply for scholarship.
"Working with the SCC Foundation has allowed The Early Learning Coalition of Seminole to double the impact of their award and help more SCC students reach their goals," said SCC Foundation Executive Director Matt Hodge.
For additional information, applications and scholarship requirements please visit www.seminoleearlylearning.org and click on "Providers" and then "Upcoming Training."
Strokes Of Genius Project To Increase Kindergarten Readiness Rate
September 14, 2006
Sanford, FL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Debby Torres
Director of Community Affairs
407-871-1102 (Office)
407-968-6867 (Cell)
debby@seminoleearlylearning.org
The Early Learning Coalition of Seminole will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, September 18, 200610:00 a.m. at Kiddy Cats Academy, 360 Mellonville Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771.
Speakers at the 30 minute ceremony include Seminole County Commissioner Dick Van Der Weide and Seminole County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Bill Vogel. The ribbon will be cut by Michael Gotschall, Chairman of the Board for the Early Leaning Coalition and attending members of the School Board.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
- The media is invited to film/photograph a typical 4 year old "Strokes of Genius" classroom's morning activities.
- Speakers on the importance of early childhood education, including Commissioner Van Der Weide and Dr. Vogel.
- Interview opportunities with "Strokes of Genius" grant recipients, Coalition members and invited speakers. (Interview opportunities will be from 9:30 - 9:55 a.m. and from 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. unless otherwise arranged)
- Interviews can be arranged with parents of children attending a "Strokes of Genius" center by contacting Debby Torres prior to the event.
MORE ON STROKES OF GENIUS
Seminole County has one of the highest overall school readiness rates based on kindergarten readiness assessment. Yet, the Coalition found that there were specific elementary schools in the community where school readiness scores were below the county's average. To address this disparity across our community the Coalition initiated the "Strokes of Genius Grant Project" intended to provide technical assistance to 20 providers identified as serving the children that feed into these schools. Participants receive developmentally appropriate equipment for use in classrooms and playgrounds, character development curriculum, vision and hearing screenings and an opportunity to consult regularly with an experienced and degreed child care professional; the intended outcome being the increased readiness scores of these sites. The Coalition has partnered with the University of Central Florida to evaluate this 3-year pilot. The potential impact of this project is to increase the school readiness of 2200 children.
ABOUT THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF SEMINOLE
Incorporated in 2000, the Coalition is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. The Coalition's mission is to assist Seminole County parents with young children to locate high quality early care and education providers who prepare children to enter school ready and eager to learn. For more information on the Early Learning Coalition of Seminole please call 407-871-1102 or visit www.seminoleearlylearning.org.
239 Rinehart Road | Lake Mary, FL 32746
Phone: 407-871-1101 | Fax: 407-871-1100