Children's Forum

Check out the latest news and resources from the Children's Forum at https://conta.cc/3OLlvml 🙂

Personnel note: AELC, Children’s Forum announce new leadership

Many thanks to FloridaPolitics for highlighting these amazing leaders! We are thrilled that Erin Brookerd Smeltzer was selected to be our next president and CEO. She is focused on expanding our programs and services to improve the early learning landscape in Florida.
Congratulations to Association of Early Learning Coalitions on their dynamic leadership team. We look forward to working with them to promote positive changes in early learning systems.

Personnel note: AELC, Children’s Forum announce new leadership AELC's new Executive Director is Molly Grant. Erin Smeltzer will serve as The Children's Forum CEO.

Our offices will be closed November 23-25 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
We hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 🦃

Are you looking for a rewarding career in a non-profit organization where you can make a difference? The Children's Forum is seeking an INCENTIVE$ Specialist. You can learn more about the position and apply online at https://flchild.com/jobs/incentive-specialist/. Good luck!

Today is World Kindness Day, remember to be just as kind to yourself as you are to others!

Our offices will be closed today in observance of Veterans Day. We will re-open on Monday, November 14.

Happy Election Day! As you head to the polls, remember that this is your opportunity to make your voices heard. Will you be a ?

In 2022, American voters will cast votes for the thousands of people who are running for Congress, Governor, state legislatures, school boards, and city councils. That means thousands of opportunities to elevate the importance of early childhood education and educators. At a time when the early learning sector is facing unprecedented challenges, let us stand together as one unified, powerful voice to deliver on the promise of high-quality early learning for all children.

Learn more about what's at stake in your community, get more information about voting in your state, and make a pledge to vote here: http://www.americaforearlyed.org/our-votes/

Happy Halloween from our Forum family to yours!

Wishing you a safe and fun Halloween!

We wore pink today in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to promote the impact of breast cancer, spread awareness about early detection, celebrate breast cancer survivors, and remember those who have lost their battle.

Congratulations to Erin Brookerd Smeltzer, our President and CEO, who is the 2022 recipient of the CDA Council for Professional Recognition Advocacy Award! We are so proud of you, and you are most deserving of this prestigious recognition!

October 25th is Dwarfism Awareness Day. Today, we wore green to celebrate differences and spread positive awareness.
“A person is a person, no matter how small.” -Dr. Seuss

On National I Care About You Day, we honor everyone in our life for no other reason but to tell them we are grateful. We are thankful for our board of directors, employees, partners, funders, members, early educators, after school professionals, advocates, family, and friends!

There's still time to register for The Children's Movement of Florida virtual summit this Thursday. Hear from prominent local and national voices on healthy child development, early learning and literacy, economic self-sufficiency for families, conversations of legislative priorities, fatherhood engagement, family-friendly business policies, best practices for supporting school readiness, and more!. You can register for their summit today at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZGW6UjgxTDa65Zz31wV_Tw#/

We are less than a week away from our 3rd annual Summit on Thursday, Oct. 27! Join us for this special virtual event. Register today! https://www.childrensmovementflorida.org/built-to-thrive

Please consider sharing this virtual apple with an early childhood educator or advocate that has impacted you in your journey in the early learning field. Give them a special shout out below in the comments section.😊🍎

Another incredible professional development opportunity is heading your way from Association of Christian Early Educators! Learn More and Register Now - https://tinyurl.com/2tfhh3x8

The UF Lastinger Center for Learning, UF Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies, and Association of Early Learning Coalitions are mounting a relief effort to support our friends and colleagues affected by Hurricane Ian. Supplies and donations will be delivered to the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida, Early Learning Coalition Of Sarasota County, and Early Learning Coalition of Florida's Heartland, Inc.
Please consider making a donation to support our early learning community as they recover from this terrible disaster. To make a donation, please contact Molly Grant, Executive Director of the ALEC, at [email protected].

The Children’s Forum is proud to be a Sponsor, Presenter, and Exhibitor at the 2022 Florida Association for the Education of Young Children (FLAEYC) Annual Conference this weekend in Jacksonville, FL.
Our Forum Family is happy to learn and celebrate with you all, come say hi to our amazing T.E.A.C.H. Florida Scholarship Program and Early Childhood Educator Incentive$ Florida counselors while you're there!

Our Policy Fellows had a lot of fun while visiting the Capitol today. They are part of the Forum's Early Childhood Policy WORKS Advocacy Fellowship (ECPWAF) program that guides novice early learning advocates through the legislative process and how the system works. Through a series of in-person and virtual meetings, the Fellows will be equipped and empowered to serve as change agents in local, state, and national conversations around issues of early childhood and the early learning workforce. They will "graduate" as advocacy experts during Children's Week in March 2023. We can't wait to see them in action!

"Teachers plant the seeds of knowledge that grow forever." Today we thank and celebrate the early childhood educators who continuously nurture that growth! ❤️

The Children's Forum is pleased to announce that Liz Randall, Statewide Director of Help Me Grow Florida, has been selected to serve as a CDC Act Early Ambassador to Florida. Act Early Ambassadors work with CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. program to improve early identification of developmental delays and disabilities so that children and their families can access needed services as early as possible. Since 2011, professionals with medical, child development, developmental disability, special education, and early intervention expertise have been selected to serve as a state or territorial point-of-contact for the national “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program; support the work of Act Early Teams and other Florida-specific initiatives to improve early identification of developmental delay and disability; and promote the adoption and integration of “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” resources into systems that serve young children and their families. Visit https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/ambassadors-list.html to learn more.
Congratulations, Liz!

DC Announces Free Health Insurance for Child Care Workers and their Families

It is great to see such wonderful strides being made!

DC Announces Free Health Insurance for Child Care Workers and their Families Despite a strong presence from the home visiting workforce and participants throughout the FY23 budget season and, most recently, in-person at the Wilson Building, the DC Council will not include the $369,150 increase to DC Health’s home visiting programs this year – as Under 3 DC requested.

We hope our friends in the after school and youth development workforce are able to attend the Florida Afterschool Network Public Policy Forum Spotlight Session that includes a legislative discussion on 2023 initiatives. Erin Brookerd Smeltzer, president and CEO of the Children's Forum will facilitate the discussion!
The Public Policy Forum also includes an interactive session on workforce development, innovative uses for ARPA funding, and resource to support expanded learning opportunities.
Register today at https://flafterschool.com/public-policy-forum/

Are you a thought leader in the afterschool and out-of-school-time sector? Does your organization focus on youth development? Join us on October 4 as we explore the political landscape for 2023 from the vantage points of our four distinguished panelists: Senator Shevrin Jones, D-35 (Miami Gardens), Representative Fred Hawkins, R-42 (St. Cloud), Representative Susan Valdes, D-62 (Tampa) and Representative Dana Trabulsy, R-84 (Fort Pierce). Our thanks to Erin Smeltzer at the Children's Forum for facilitating this discussion!

Sign Up: https://flafterschool.com/public-policy-forum/

National Voter Registration Day seeks to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities to reach tens of thousands of voters who may not register otherwise. It is a nonpartisan civic holiday that celebrates our democracy by making sure everyone has the opportunity to vote. Learn more at https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org.

We are having a great time at the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard 2022 Annual Provider Conference - Dazzling Stars. Stop by our table to learn more about our programs that help early childhood educators shine! 🎓📚👩‍🏫

Decorating hands for Children's Week is a fun activity that early educators can do with the children in their classroom or that families can do together at home. Your amazing pieces will make a stunning display!

Visit https://childrensweek.org/activities-and-events for more Celebration of the Hands tips and instructions.

We love these wise words from Maya Angelou. Have a wonderful week!

Children's Week hosts the largest annual advocacy event in the state that celebrates and honors its commitment to children, youth, and advocates.

The Children’s Forum is proud to work alongside a number of generous and dedicated Children’s Week Florida Partners to bring this wonderful advocacy event to life. Please visit childrensweek.org to learn more.

Our offices will be closed today in observance of Labor Day. We will re-open on Tuesday, September 6. We hope you have a relaxing and safe holiday!

Did you know that the Forum provides membership opportunities for early educators and program directors to fulfill credential renewal requirements? We also provide a variety of benefits and advocate on behalf of the field of early care and education to legislators and business leaders. Learn more about our Membership Program at flchild.com/forum-membership.

Are you looking for a dynamic position that supports the growth of Florida's children and early childhood workforce? The Forum and Me Grow Florida are looking for an Outreach Specialist! Learn more and apply today at flchild.com/employment. We look forward to you joining our team!

The Children’s Forum is looking for CLASS® assessors and program support staff to join our Assessment and Coaching Services Unit. Locations vary. Visit flchild.com/employment for additional details and to apply today!

The Children's Forum Professional Development Registry Services provides a central workforce database for early childhood educators which includes verified education, training, certifications, and employment history for participating counties. To learn more, please visit flchild.com/programs-services/services-offered-by-the-forum/professional-development-registry.

Are you looking for a great place to work? The Forum is growing, and we have an exciting new job opportunity! We are looking for a Web Applications Programmer. This position aligns with our mission to promote positive experiences and outcomes for both young children and early educators. Apply today at https://flchild.com/employment/

The Early Learning Career Center, which is administrated by the Forum and funded by The Children's Trust, provides career advising and scholarships to support the diverse workforce in Miami-Dade County. Please visit http://elcareercenter.org to learn more!

Mark your calendar! As the organizing partner for , we're so excited for next year's event. Visit https://childrensweek.org for details and more information.

Happy !
Did you know that the Forum's Child Care Evaluation Services Unit works alongside Florida Department of Children and Families to ensure participating programs reflect quality in the level of care and supervision provided to children? We assist child care program owners and operators with obtaining Gold Seal Quality Care Program accreditation and monitor programs that provide the Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC) training. You can learn more at www.flchild.com.

Are you looking for a great place to work? We are growing, and we have exciting new job opportunities including Special Projects/Outreach Lead, Fiscal Assistant, and T.E.A.C.H. Counselor! These positions align with our mission to promote positive experiences and outcomes for both young children and early educators. Apply today at https://www.flchild.com/jobs.