Parents
School Readiness Tuition Assistance Program
School Readiness (SR) helps eligible families pay for child care by reducing the cost through a parent copayment based on income and family size.
At the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County, our Family Services team is here to help families understand eligibility, apply, and stay informed about program updates.
Who Is Eligible?
Families may qualify for School Readiness if they meet the following guidelines:
- Parent(s) are working or participating in an educational activity (college or trade school) at least 20 hours per week
- Household gross income is at or below 55% of the State Median Income (SMI) for family size
- Families pay a monthly copayment based on income, family size, and hours of care
- Some children may qualify regardless of parent work or education status, including children who:
- Have special needs
- Are at risk of abuse, neglect, or abandonment
- Are experiencing homelessness
- Are from families affected by domestic violence
- Are low-income migrant families or farm workers
Important Copayment Changes (Effective July 1, 2025)
Federal regulations now require one copayment per household, assigned to only one child, even if multiple children are enrolled in School Readiness.
What this means for families:
- The copayment is based on household income and authorized hours of care (full- or part-time)
- You will pay your copayment to one provider for one child
- If your child attends two SR providers, the copayment is paid to only one provider
- Other children in SR will not have copayments
- Additional provider fees may still apply
Your child’s School Readiness certificate will list your assigned copayment.
If the certificate shows $0.00, no copayment is required for that child.
Families with foster children, children receiving TANF, or relative caregiver funds should contact ELCAC directly for guidance on copayment rules.
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Income Guidelines (Effective October 1, 2025)
Florida prioritizes School Readiness services for economically disadvantaged working families with income at or below 55% of State Median Income.
Chart as follows:
| Household Size | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 55% of SMI | $38,546 | $47,615 | $56,685 | $65,754 | $74,824 |
*If your income exceeds these amounts, you may still qualify for local Alachua County funding. Please contact our Family Services team for more information
- Federal Poverty Level Sliding Fee Scale 2025-26 – Enrolled on or after July 1, 2025
- Federal Poverty Level Sliding Fee Scale 2025-26 – Enrolled on or after October 1, 2025
- SR Plus Sliding Fee Scale
- II.E.-Fee-Waiver-Policy
- Eligibility Verification Checklist for New Families
Family Services Department email: eligibility@elcalachua.org
Children Trust Initiative Program
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Program
Available Programs
What is VPK?
Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is a free program designed to prepare children for kindergarten and support early learning success. VPK is available to all Florida children who are 4 years old on or before September 1, regardless of family income.
- 540 instructional hours
- Class sizes up to 12 children(Class sizes are not to exceed 11 students with a single lead instructor or up to 20 students with a lead instructor and an assistant. Instructors must have a minimum of a Florida Child Care Professional Credential.)
- 300 instructional hours
- Class size is 12 students or fewer with one lead instructor and an assistant
- Meets up to 6 -8 hours daily (M-F) that usually spans 8-10 weeks during summer months.
How to Register
How to Register
VPK registration is a two-step online process through the Parent Portal:
Families will receive an email once the Certificate of Eligibility is approved and ready.
Need Help?
📞 (352) 375-4110
📧 eligibility@elcalachua.org
📍 201 SE 2nd Ave, Suite 201
Gainesville, FL 32601
An ELCAC team member is happy to assist you in person, by phone, or by email.
(One of the following preferred):
- Birth Certificate – An original or certified copy. (Hospital birth records are not acceptable)
- Valid passport or certificate of arrival in the US showing child’s date of birth.
- Immunization Record – Indicating child’s date of birth and signed by a public health officer or licensed Practicing physician (Form DH680 – must include parent name)
- Valid military dependent ID card showing the child’s date of birth
- Insurance policy on the child’s life that has been in force for at least two years which reflects the child’s date of birth
(One of the following preferred):
- PO BOXES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE
- Valid Florida Driver’s License or identification card
- Current Utility Bill (such as water or electric, within the last 6 weeks, must have parent residence on the bill)
- Current Pay stub (within the last 6 weeks, must have parent residence printed on the pay stub)
- Signed lease or rental agreement for the current calendar year
- Mortgage statement
- Documentation from a homeless shelter or domestic violence shelter
Documents
IMPORTANT CHECKLIST
To be used when determining what eligibility forms are need in the list below.
ELIGIBILITY FORMS
- Electronic Local Forms
- Authorization to Release Information
- Cross County Transfer Request
- Declaration of Household Members
- Enrollment Schedule Change Request
- Medical or Maternity Leave Form
- Physician’s Disability – Employment Exemption Statement
- Request to Withdraw or Transfer
- Temporary Suspension Request
- Verification of Address Form
- Verification of Employment
- Loss of Employment
- Authorization to Release Information
- Work Number Authorization Request
- Self-Employment Packet
Child Care Resources & Referrals (CCR&R)
Overview of CCR&R
What is CCR&R for families?
Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) is a free service offered by the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County to help families find child care and afterschool options that fit their needs.
How CCR&R Helps Families
CCR&R can help you:
- Receive a customized list of child care and afterschool providers
- Find quality early learning programs that match your schedule, location, and preferences
- Get referrals to community resources, including food, clothing, car seats, and child safety items
- Learn what to look for in a high-quality child care provider
Our goal is to make finding care simple, informed, and stress-free.
Request Free CCR&R Support
To request free CCR&R services, including a personalized list of child care and afterschool providers, please complete the request form:
👉 https://surveymonkey.com/r/WJT6B5V
Please allow up to 48 business hours for a response.
Choosing Quality Child Care
We also offer free tools to help you choose the right provider, including:
- A Family Guide to Selecting a Child Care Provider
- A Quality Checklist to compare programs
Contact CCR&R
📞 352-375-4110 ext. 303
📱 Text: 352-663-9352
👤 Contact: Deborah Sharpe
We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Learn what to look for in a quality childcare provider
There’s a lot to consider when you’re choosing an early learning or childcare provider. Parents wonder about the right curriculum for their child’s learning style and what signs to look for in a strong, quality program. Our free guide can help you get started in your search.
Helpful Links
- Child Care Aware of America
- Division of Early Learning
- Department of Children and Families
- Partnership for Strong Families
- CareerSource NCF
- CDS Family and Behavioral Health Services
- Community Action Agency
- Gainesville Housing Authority
- WIC
- Healthy Start
- Healthy Families
- DCF Licensing
- Strengthening Families Approach and Protective Families Framework
- Youth Thrive Approach and Protective Factors Framework
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Florida KidCare
- Abuse Registry- 800-96-ABUSE
- Multidisciplinary Diagnostic and Training Program
- Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System
- Florida Dept. of Education
- DEL-Parents’ Page
- Hope Florida
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
- Help Me Grow Florida
