INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — For many working families in Indian River County, child care is one of the highest costs in the household budget.
Although child care is a necessity that enables parents to work, the high price of child care is a financial burden that can force many families to compromise the quality of their child care program.
Many families don’t realize that The Early Learning Coalition of Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee Counties (ELC) provides eligible families with financial assistance toward early childhood services.
In the past, there have been as many as 800 children on a waiting list to receive this financial assistance in Indian River County.
At this time, there is no waiting list. ELC is encouraging Indian River County families who need help paying for child care to apply now for assistance.
“This is the first time in recent memory that the ELC has not had a waiting list and is able to offer eligible Indian River County applicants a shortened time period to receive childcare assistance.
We were able to use existing funds to offer child care assistance to 300 children who had been on our current waiting list, and we still have additional funding available.
We are excited to be in a position, especially at this time of year, where we can quickly help families provide their children with these early learning opportunities,” said ELC CEO/Executive Director Jacki Jackson.
This assistance is available through the School Readiness program and is an income eligible program that requires parents to be working or enrolled in school at least 20 hours per week.
Those who meet the requirements can apply online at www.ELCIRMO.org/p/16/School-Readiness, by calling (877) 220-1223 ext. 260, or in person at 2459 St. Lucie Ave. in Vero Beach, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information about the Early Learning Coalition and its programs that give children a competitive start in life, please visit the website at www.ELCIRMO.org.
About the Early Learning Coalition
The Early Learning Coalition of Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee Counties (ELC) is responsible for the planning and implementation of school readiness and voluntary pre-kindergarten services in the three county area.
The coalition is responsible for making decisions to meet the early education and child care needs of the children in our communities.
In addition to providing financial assistance for families, ELC offers support, training, and resources to community providers who serve approximately 5,000 children daily through the school readiness, voluntary pre-kindergarten education programs and resource & referral programs.