For more information, contact:                                               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

El Cabrel Lee (407) 259-2468 ext.103

elee@elcoc.org          

OMYF grant helps Early Learning Coalition of Orange County gain access to $1.5M                      

ORLANDO, Fla. (January 24, 2013) - The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County (ELCOC) was elated to find out they had been selected by the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation to receive $100,000 for their Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) Training program. The Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, made the announcement at a private ceremony Thursday morning at the Amway Center. There were 16 other Central Florida organizations that received grants totaling over $1 million dollars.

"We're shocked that we were awarded double the funds this grant cycle but the grant will definitely help us to continue to strengthen our support for our infant/toddler teachers. The first five years of a child's life is when 90-percent of their brain is developed so our teachers help lay the foundation for those critical years," said Karen Willis, chief executive officer, Early Learning Coalition of Orange County.

The training program provides intensive age-appropriate training and support to infant/toddler teachers who are working toward obtaining their Child Development Associate credentials. The CDA certification is awarded to childcare providers who have demonstrated proficiency working with young children in the areas of a child's physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth. The grant will provide 80 hours of CDA specific training to support infant/toddler teachers, provide scholarships to pay the cost of the final assessment fee and provide incentives for the participating infant/toddler teachers.

"Last year, 19 infant/toddler teachers had the opportunity to participate in the training program because of the $50,000 grant awarded by OMYF. With this amount we will train more teachers who will work to ensure our children enter kindergarten ready to learn."

For every $1 that the ELCOC receives the government matches it at $15.67, which makes the impact of the OMYF grant so great on children from the ages of birth to five.

For directors and infant/toddler teachers interested in the program, please contact Cindy Jurie, director of research & special projects by email at cjurie@elcoc.org.

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Early Learning Coalition of Orange County

The vision of the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County is to ensure that all Orange County children are fully prepared to enter school, ready to learn. The organization has worked since 1999 to provide leadership, guidance and support for school readiness and VPK programs for children in Orange County. For additional information on the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County or its programs, please visit www.elcoc.org or call (407) 841-6607.