What is the Provider Advisory Council?
The Provider Advisory Council is an open monthly meeting for child care providers who are interested in meeting other providers and/or having their voices heard by the Coalition.  There are currently two organizations established:

• Provider Advisory Council for Centers
• Provider Advisory Council for Family Child Care Homes

What is the purpose of these meetings?
The Provider Advisory Councils were established to:

• Provide an open forum for providers to share their ideas, concerns, requests and opinions.

• Provide an avenue for the Coalition to gain critical feedback from providers in the development and implementation of quality initiatives, school readiness programs and services.

Can anyone attend these meetings?
Yes! All child care providers are encouraged to attend and speak openly as the meetings are facilitated by the Coalition Provider Representatives. The information, views and ideas generated at these meetings are presented to the Coalition anonymously. Coalition staff consultants and central agency staff do not attend these meetings to ensure that honest feedback may be communicated.

When do the Provider Advisory Councils meet?

PAC for Child Care Centers
Meets quarterly
Contact Nancy Ryan at (407) 348-5437 or gingerbreadbvl@earthlink.net

PAC for Family Child Care Homes
Meets quarterly
Contact Monica Napolitano at (407) 962-0192 or toddlertownfcc@yahoo.com

Is there a fee to attend?
No. These meetings are always free.

Is is necessary to pre-register when planning to attend?
No. You may attend without any notice.

How will attending these meeting benefit me directly?
Benefits to attending these meetings are many:

• Provider networking allows participants to make key contacts with other providers. Many times providers learn about a wide variety of available opportunities from their peers. Providers often share tips with each other and/or ask and get help from their peers in areas that are of a large concern to them.

• Provider support is shared when participants meet and speak with other providers who have common fears, goals, and challenges, helping each other to not feel alone in the day-to-day challenges of providing school readiness services.

• Leadership opportunities are available for providers who would like to share ideas, strategies, and provide important feedback to the Coalition regarding the development and implementation of school readiness quality initiatives and services.

The Coalition firmly believes that the most meaningful and beneficial initiatives that will be implemented are those in which the providers are involved in their development and implementation. For this reason, the Coalition has established the Provider Advisory Councils.

For more information about the Provider Advisory Councils, please call the Coalition office at (407) 933-5353.