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Coalition Policies

Laws are adopted by the legislature, and these laws are interpreted into rule by the Office of Early Learning and other entities.  Once the rules come to the Early Learning Coalitions they are adapted into policies, which govern the school readiness and VPK programs. These policies must be approved by the ELC of SWFL Board and are evaluated annually for needed updates. All updated policies are then submitted to the ELC Board for approval and can be shared publicly.
Download the Coalition Bylaws

Filing a Complaint with the Coalition

If you have concerns or issues with our services, applications, or interactions with a counselor, please reach out to us directly. We are committed to addressing and resolving any problems at the local level to ensure the best experience for our clients. You can contact the Early Learning Coalition at Gilda.duran@elcofswfl.org for assistance.

Code of Conduct

Our goal is an ethical work environment for all. Our employees are expected to understand and develop a commitment to ethical conduct throughout their duties and activities.

Our employees exhibit honesty, integrity, just management, fairness, trust, safety, and respect to coworkers, superiors, subordinates, those we serve and those who provide service to us.

Our employees promote a positive work environment. Behaviors such as unscrupulous communications and gossip are destructive and not appropriate in our workplace.

Our employees are good citizens of the community, reflecting well upon our Coalition.

Our employees are faithful to the Coalition and respectful of its leadership.

Our employees support our commitment to pursuing sound business growth with fair competition while providing quality products and services, delivered on time and within budget.

Our employees are entrusted with Organizational confidences. Respect these confidences. We expect that proprietary information will be protected and secure and will not be disclosed to anyone without proper authorization.

We respect cultural diversity and recognize the value of a diverse workplace.

We are committed to providing a drug-free, safe, and healthy work environment, and to observe environmentally sound business practices. We strive to do no harm and where possible, make the community a better place to live.

Our employees maintain accurate and complete business and transactional records. All information is to be factually represented in a timely manner.

We tell our customers the truth. All statements, communications, and representations to current and prospective customers is accurate and forthright.

We avoid the appearance of wrongdoing. Our employees neither accept nor provide any courtesies or gifts that are or could be perceived as in exchange for business inducements.

We are fiscally responsible. We guard against waste. We use and protect our Coalition’s assets wisely. We understand that management override of internal controls is prohibited.

Whistleblower Policy

The CEO will ensure compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), Section 1107 and Section 1513 of the Title 18 USC that makes it illegal for the Coalition to punish whistleblowers or retaliate against any Coalition employee who reports suspected cases of fraud or abuse. Coalition employees shall report all suspicions of fraud or abuse to the CEO. In the case of suspicions regarding the CEO, staff shall inform the Coalition Board Chair. Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) Whistleblower Act:
  • It is illegal for any Coalition’s board members or managing staff to punish whistleblowers or retaliate against any Coalition’s employee who reports suspected cases of fraud or abuse (SOX, Section 1107, Section 1513 of Title 18, USC.)
  • It is a crime for any Coalition’s board members or managing staff or any staff to direct any Coalition’s employee to alter, cover up, falsify, or destroy any document that may be relevant to an official investigation (SOX, Section 1102, section 1512 of Title 18, USC).

Program Violation Policy

The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida staff is required to report any suspected fraud (intentional program violation) to the Department of Financial Services, Public Assistance Fraud Division for further investigation. Intentional Program Violation shall mean an intentional deception, omission, or misrepresentation made by a person with knowledge that the deception, omission, or misrepresentation may result in unauthorized benefit to that person or another person, or any aiding and abetting of the commission of such an act. This also includes any act that constitutes fraud under applicable federal or state law (reference 1002.91, F.S.)

Filing a Complaint with the Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

If you know that one of our employees, a contractor, child care service provider, parent or other benefit recipient has done something wrong, such as falsifying records, committing fraud, or wasting or mismanaging state personnel, equipment or money, use this complaint form to provide information. Contact the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) with your report at (850) 717-8605, fax (850) 745-2536 or inspector.general@oel.myflorida.com. OIG staff will review your compliant and investigate it or refer it to the appropriate office.

Annual Reports & ELC Plan

We believe in keeping the public informed. To learn more about our programs, partnerships and policies, we invite you to download a copy of our annual report.