The Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County
About Our Organization
Our Vision
Ready for School! Ready for Life!
Our Mission
To promote high-quality school readiness, voluntary pre-kindergarten, and after-school programs, thus increasing all children’s chances of achieving future educational success and becoming productive members of society.
Annual Report
In addition to providing financial assistance for child care and school readiness, the ELC of Alachua is statutorily required to build a coalition of partners and advocates to coordinate local services for children from birth through kindergarten. This includes, but is not limited to:
Children– Children are at the heart of all we do. We believe that all children, regardless of circumstance, are capable of educational excellence and personal growth, and we are committed to ensuring school readiness and lifelong success for each one.
Community– We believe children are the future, and our community is an essential part of their road to success. By working together, we can promote education and support children as they become thriving, productive members of society.
Partnership– We value partnerships and are collaborative in all we do. We work closely with fellow service providers, families, corporations, elected officials, individuals, and the community at large to promote the importance of early learning and to secure educational opportunities for all children.
Advocacy – We are champions for children, promoting positive social and community change. Our staff and community partners are committed to advancing early care and education throughout Alachua County and share a passion and dedication to children.
Excellence – When it comes to early learning, quality matters. We are committed to providing support to our child care providers so that they can maintain high-quality programming that will further the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of all children in our community.
Most of the Coalition’s investments are made possible through Federal grants, State funding, and local contributions. With this funding, ELCAC provides child care to eligible children and promotes best practices among early learning providers.
State revenues make up the balance of the Coalition’s budget and make it possible to offer every 4-year-old Alachua County child the opportunity to participate in the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program.
The Coalition takes very seriously its role as the steward of State, Federal and local funds targeted for the delivery of the Early Learning Programs (School Readiness and Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) in Alachua County. As such, the Coalition works to ensure that suspicions of possible fraud, misfeasance, misapplication of funds, gross mismanagement and employee/participant misconduct are handled in a swift manner. Click here (http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2016/1002.91 for more details on the Florida Statute as it relates to suspected fraud.
X Character Chronicles (CEO Reads)
Mrs. White, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County, brings the Book of the Month readings to life with her fun and interactive approach. At each reading, she dresses up as the main character from the book, delighting the children at various preschools and early learning centers
For “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, Mrs. White appeared as a Beautiful Butterfly when reading to the children at The Kidz House and Haigos, celebrating the story of transformation. At I Rise Performance Kids Academy and Greenfield Preschool West, she dressed as a Colorful Rainbow Fish to share the message of kindness from “Rainbow Fish.”
At 02B Kids Super Center and Premier Preschool, Mrs. White brought “The Grouchy Ladybug” to life by dressing as a Nice Ladybug. She then transformed into Pete the Cat in a cute tutu to read “Pete the Cat” to the children at House of Love Family Child Care Center and Little Debbie’s Childcare. Finally, for “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” she dressed as a mouse with a cookie at Love n Care Preschool and Pattie Cake Christian Academy.
After each reading, every child received a copy of the book to take home, promoting early literacy and fostering a love for reading at all the centers she visited.
Staff and Departments
Executive Office
| Employee | Title |
|---|---|
|
Employee Xaviera White |
Title Chief Executive Officer |
|
Employee Kelli Williams |
Title Chief Administrative Officer |
Family Services Staff
| Employee | Title |
|---|---|
|
Employee Angela Moore |
Title Chief Family Services Officer |
|
Employee Deborah Sharpe |
Title Lead Parent Support Specialist |
|
Employee Kim Lee |
Title Parent Support Manager |
|
Employee Aakeiyah Sanford |
Title Parent Support Specialist |
|
Employee Amy Lawson |
Title Parent Support Coordinator |
|
Employee Madine Kimball |
Title Parent Support Specialist |
|
Employee Faith Nobles |
Title Community Outreach Coordinator |
|
Employee Molly McGowan |
Title Parent Support Specialist |
|
Employee Amber Mulberry |
Title Client Services Facilitator |
Not sure who to contact?
Send us a message here: info@elcalachua.org
Program Services Staff
| Employee | Title |
|---|---|
|
Employee Terrie Robinson |
Title Chief Programs Officer |
|
Employee Sherry McMulen-Balchun |
Title SR & VPK Monitoring & Assessment Manager |
|
Employee Brandi Thomas |
Title Provider Contracts Coordinator |
|
Employee Ayla Parfitt |
Title Provider Contracts Specialist
|
|
Employee Laquanda Woulard |
Title Transformative Professional Development Coach |
|
Employee Shynecia Thony |
Title Quality Initiatives and Professional Development Manager |
|
Employee DeWaynique Barton |
Title Transformative Professional Development Coach |
|
Employee Ambrea Smith |
Title Programs Monitoring and Compliance Specialist |
|
Employee Christina Vinson |
Title Child Development Coordinator |
|
Employee Hasha Venn |
Title Transformative Professional Development Coach |
Finance, Operations, & Reimburstment Staff
| Employee | Title |
|---|---|
|
Employee Zack Hackley |
Title Chief Financial Officer |
|
Employee Sarah White |
Title Fiscal Specialist |
|
Employee Dante Johnson |
Title Fiscal Coordinator |
|
Employee Talonda Johnson |
Title Reimbursement Manager |
|
Employee Shantell Young |
Title Reimbursement Specialist |
|
Employee Charles Goddard |
Title Reimbursement Specialist |
The Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County Board of Directors
Tammy Prince
Board Chair
Emerge, LLC
Candi Morris
Board Vice-Chair
Cheryl Twombly
Board Secretary
DCF
Michael Williams
Board Treasurer
Southstate Bank
Stephen Pennypacker
Board Member
Heather Doles
Board Member
Santa Fe Little School
Joyce Yurchisin
Board Member
Alachua County Health Department
Marsha Kiner
Board Member
Children's Trust of Alachua County
Dr. Renee Lawson
Board Member
Episcopal Children's Services
Jennifer Blalock
Board Member
O2B Kids
Phyllis Marty
Board Member
Career Source NCF
Jacquatte Rolle
Board Member
Alachua County Public Schools
Eva Jallah
Board Member
DCF
April Tisher
Board Member
Irving Publishing
Patricia Snyder
Board Member
University of Florida
George Dix
Board Member
Cuddly Kids Academy
Crystal Marull
Board Member
University of Florida
ELCAC 2025 Holidays (Closed)
New Year’s Day, Mon, Jan 1
MLK’s Birthday, Mon, Jan 20
Presidents Day, Mon, Feb 17
Memorial Day, Mon, May 26
Independence Day, Fri, July 4
Labor Day, Mon, Sept 1
UF Homecoming, Fri, Oct 17
Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11
Thanksgiving, Thurs, Nov 27, and Fri, Nov 28
Winter Holiday, Wed, Dec 25
