School Readiness Program Eligibility

The Early Learning Coalition of Osceola County has established the following eligibility priorities for children who are enrolled in the School Readiness Program, based on the requirements set forth in Florida Statute 411, Office of Early Learning Rules and State policies.

Client Determination

FIRST PRIORITY for participation in the School Readiness Program, shall be given in the following order:

1. Participants in the TANF program whom receive cash assistance subject to work participation as determined by the Agency of Workforce Innovation -  Office of Early Learning.

2. Protective Service children, ages 3 to school entry, as determined by the Department of Children and Families or their designee and in accordance with the Rilya Wilson Act.

3. Protective Service children, ages birth to 3, as determined by the Department of Children and Families or their designee and in accordance with the policy established by the State of Florida.

4. Protective Service children, ages school entry through 12, as determined by the Department of Children and Families or their designee.

5. Welfare Transitional Child Care (TCC) eligible clients as determined by the Agency of Workforce Innovation -  Office of Early Learning.

6. Three (3), four (4), and five (5) year old children not in school and their siblings (if applicable) ages six (6) – twelve (12), whose families are eligible to receive school readiness services as determined by F.S. 411 and the parameters set forth by the Coalition.

7. Children ages birth (0) - three (3) and their siblings (if applicable) ages six (6) – twelve (12), whose families are eligible to receive school readiness services as determined by F.S. 411 and the parameters set forth by the Coalition.

8. As funding is available, all other eligible children, ages six (6) – twelve (12), whose families are eligible to receive school readiness services as determined by F.S. 411 and the parameters set forth by the Coalition.

Client Eligibility

Participation in the School Readiness Program shall be provided to children under thirteen (13) years of age who meet the following child care eligibility requirements established by the  Agency of Workforce Innovation -  Office of Early Learning and the priorities set forth by the Coalition. Services are also extended to children, between the ages of thirteen (13) and nineteen (19) years of age, inclusive, who meet specific eligibility requirements.

• The Department of Children and Families or their designee will determine eligibility for the At-risk of Abuse and Neglect category.

• Workforce Transition and initial Transitional Child Care (TCC) eligibility will be authorized by the Agency for Workforce Innovation staff, Department of Children and Families staff and/or the agencies’ contract provider staff and referred to the Provider for services.

• Other guidelines as described below, established by the Agency of Workforce Innovation -  Office of Early Learning and modified by the Coalition, will be followed, in order, and as the SECOND LEVEL of priorities in determining client eligibility:

  1. A single parent family or guardian in which the parent with whom the child resides is employed or engaged in eligible education activities a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week.

  2. A two-parent family or guardian in which both parents with whom the child resides are each employed or engaged in eligible education activities a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week.

  3. A family or guardian in which the parents are exempt from work requirements due to age or disability as determined and documented by a physician licensed under Chapters 458 or 459, Florida Statutes.

  4. And as funding is available and all other guidelines have been exhausted, the following guideline will be implemented:  a two-parent family or guardian in which one parent with whom the child resides in employed or engaged in eligible education activities a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week.

To find out if you are eligible for School Readiness Assistance, please call Central Florida (407) 522-2252 , ext. 6501 or click here to complete a waiting list application.