The School Readiness (SR) program provides financial assistance for child care.

Am I Eligible?

1. Do you live in Charlotte, Desoto, Hardee or Highlands County?

     Yes: keep going.

     No:  If you live in a different county, find your county's coalition: https://www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/directory/

2. Do you have a current "reason" for child care assistance? In other words, are you:

     a. Working at least 20 hours per week? 

     b. Going to school full-time, 12 credits or 20 hours per week?

     c. Disabled to a degree that you cannot work and require child care?

             Yes: keep going 

             No: you are not eligible at this time.  

3. Is your gross income (before taxes) less than

Yes: keep going

No: you are not eligible at this time.

4. Apply to waiting list at the Family Portal: https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com/

What to expect?

After you apply to the waiting list:

1. You will receive an email to tell you if you have been placed on the waiting list or not.

    ELCFH has a waiting list because there are many families that need help and a limited budget for the year.

2. You are responsible to keep you application active; log in to the Family Portal regularly to check you status.

    At 150 days, the Family Portal will send you an automatic email requesting update; status will be Active – Pending Update. If you do not Update in Family Portal within 30 days,      your status        will change to Inactive removing you from the waiting list.

3. When it is your turn, the Family Portal will email you a notice, with a deadline, to complete the online Eligibility Wizard.

    If your application is not received, is received late, is incomplete or missing required documents, you will be determined not eligible and will need to reapply to the waiting list.