MIAMI — The Children’s Movement of Florida (The Movement) today announced that it has received a $1 million grant from Helios Education Foundation to accelerate a groundbreaking initiative to improve access, quality, and affordability of early learning programs across the state over the next three years.
The initiative, called Florida’s Early Learning Roadmap — an actionable guide designed to reshape the future of early childhood education in Florida — grew out of community meetings around the state led by The Movement over the past 2 years. Florida’s Early Learning Roadmap was created in collaboration with parents, educators, policy leaders, and early learning business owners from every corner of Florida. It addresses critical issues like workforce shortages, early educator pay, and the ongoing challenges faced by families in accessing quality early learning opportunities.
“This grant will accelerate the pace at which Florida can make progress on improving early education,” said The Movement CEO Madeleine Thakur. “The recommendations we put forward are a recipe, not a menu — each one is crucial for meeting the needs of parents, children, and the people who educate them.”
Thanks to the support of Helios Education Foundation and other funders, The Movement will:
- Promote legislative advocacy to secure policy and funding changes that will increase access to early learning programs across the state.
- Strengthen strategies to improve early educator pay and enhance teacher support, which are critical factors in addressing the workforce challenges in the early childhood education sector.
- Expand outreach and engagement with parents, educators, and stakeholders to build a statewide coalition focused on solving persistent challenges in early learning.
“Helios Education Foundation is proud to support The Children’s Movement of Florida and its efforts to transform the state of early learning in Florida,” said Paul J. Luna, President and CEO of Helios Education Foundation. “Investing in early childhood education is crucial for the long-term success of our children and, the work of The Movement will have a positive, lasting impact in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive beginning as early as pre-kindergarten.”
A diverse Advisory Board composed of 40 stakeholders is guiding the implementation of Florida’s Early Learning Roadmap. Members represent a wide range of constituencies involved in its creation, including: Cari Miller, Chancellor of Early Learning at the Florida Department of Education; Dr. Herman Knopf, lead researcher at UF’s Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood; Maria Somera, a mother of three young children in Sarasota; Sasha Pack, an early childhood educator in Palm Coast; Kissha Ballard, owner of Kissha’s Little Ones Child Care, an Orlando family child care home; and Dr. Sharon Miller, executive director of King’s Kids Christian Academy in Tampa, among other educators, advocates, and community leaders.
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About The Children’s Movement of Florida
The Children’s Movement of Florida is the state’s leading voice on early childhood: championing policies and investments for high-quality early learning opportunities, health care access, and parent support. For more information, visit www.childrensmovementflorida.org.