What is School Readiness?

School Readiness is a program that provides financial assistance for early learning, helping families access affordable, high-quality child care. It focuses on preparing children with the skills they need for school and future success, including social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) is a free program for 4-year-olds in Florida that prepares them for kindergarten by focusing on key early learning skills. It builds a strong foundation for academic success and lifelong learning.

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) is a free service that helps families find affordable child care and early education programs. It also offers information about financial assistance and local resources to support parents.

The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is a reliable tool that helps parents and caregivers track their child’s developmental progress from birth to age 6. By answering simple questions about their child’s skills, parents can identify any potential delays early on. This allows them to seek appropriate support or interventions to ensure their child is on the right path to success. The ASQ covers both developmental and social-emotional areas and is easy to complete.

Members of the Board

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Board of Directors

The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida Board of Directors represents both public and private sector business leaders from Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties. The ELC Board of Directors meets bi-monthly at the Early Learning Coalition Office. The public is invited to attend.

Public comments are accepted during a specified time at the beginning and end of the meeting. Please see agenda for details.

*All Board meetings are held at 2675 Winkler Ave., Suite 300, Fort Myers, FL 33901.
Click here for driving instructions to the Early Learning Coalition of SWFL.

Kae Moore

Chair of the Board Governors Appointee

Campain Director for Friends of Lovers Key State Park

Laura R. Bright

Vice Chair

Chief Advancement Officer, Golisano Children's Museum

Jamie Merchant

Governor Appointee

Manager of Payroll Reporting, Inc.

Sean Kempton

Governors Appointee

Director of Sales and Project Manager for Gulf Coast Aluminum

Brooke A. Goldstein, M.S. SLP

Treasurer of the Board and Finance Committee Chair

Regional Provider Liaison & Team Leader, Early Steps Health Planning Council

Dr. Elizabeth McBride

Secretary of the Board, Human Resources Committee Chair, Executive Committee

Director of Early Learning, Collier County Public Schools-Designee

Rebecca McKellar

Chair, Nominations and Bylaws Committee

Creative World Schools, Private For-Profit Child Care

Michele King

Chair - Programs Committee

Director of Child Advocacy Program, Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida

Tara Sherrod

Chair Events Committee

Director, First Baptist Preschool, Representative of Faith-Based Childcare Providers

Alex Breault

Finance Committee

Partnership Manager, FutureMakers Coalition

Derek Burkholder, Ed. D, MBA

Finance Committee

Doctor of Educational Leadership

Chantel Porte

Programs Committee

Regional Supervisor for Child Care Licensing, Department of Children and Families

Dr. Kelly Ross

Nominations & Bylaws Committee

Professor and Coordinator of Early Childhood Education Florida SouthWestern State College

Kimberly Ross

Nominations & Bylaws Committee

Owner, Ross Dynasty Cares

Char-Nequa Smith

Programs Committee

Executive Community Health Nursing Director, Lee County Health Department Administrator-Designee

Barbara Short

Human Resources Committee

Quality Assurance Program Manager for CareerSource Southwest Florida

Aaron Stitt

Finance Committee

Florida Department of Children and Families

Tanya Williams

Nominations & Bylaws Committee

Director, Collier County Library, Collier Board of County Commissioners Designee

Rashondra Croskey

Ex Officio Board Member

Teacher Glades County Public Schools

Dr. Bethany Quisenberry

Board Member

Director Early Childhood Learning Centers Lee County Public Schools

ELC Board Membership Application

Are you interested in expanding your connections in Southwest Florida? Do you want to develop skills (public speaking, networking and leadership experience) that may advance your professional career? Serving on the Early Learning Coalition Board and its committees offers individuals a rewarding way to share their skill sets and talent at a not-for-profit organization that targets early education.

Being a board member requires an active and sincere interest in promoting quality early learning for young children and supporting families towards self-sufficiency. Each board member will be expected to regularly attend Board meetings (schedule six times each year); and participation in one or more Board Committees.

Currently, applicants are needed to fill the following vacant seats:

Private Sector Business Members, which includes those working for both for-profit and nonprofit businesses

For more information about the Coalition Board, to apply for any of these positions, or to join our Board, please complete the coalition application online. The application is submitted directly to the Early Learning Coalition at 2675 Winkler Avenue, Ste. 300, Fort Myers, Florida 33901. For information/application for consideration as the Governor’s Appointee position, go to Governor Appointee Application.

Board Members

Board of Directors

Board Members

ELC Board Membership Application

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