20 Oct Escambia County School Readiness Coalition, Inc.

Posted at 09:50h in 2025, Education, Escambia County School Readiness Coalition, Nonprofit by

Escambia County School Readiness coalition, inc. DBA Early learning coalition of escambia county

Classroom on Wheels

Grant Year: 2025 | Focus Area: Education| Grant Amount: $103,500 Grant Status: In progress

The Escambia County School Readiness Coalition, aka the Early Learning Coalition (ELC), was founded in 2000 under the leadership of community visionaries with one unified goal: to provide the children of Escambia County with all the necessary tools and resources for successful futures, maximizing each child’s potential. In November 2002, Florida voters passed a constitutional amendment providing all four-year-old children with Florida residing parents the option to attend a voluntary prekindergarten program, or “VPK.” This program was signed into law in January 2005, and the first VPK classes began in the 2005-2006 school year within all school sectors (public, private, and faith-based providers). There are currently 72 VPK programs within the Centers and the Title 1 schools. Today, ELC’s mission is to identify and meet the needs of children and families to lay the foundation for lifetime success by: maximizing each child’s potential, preparing children to enter school ready to learn, and helping families achieve economic self-sufficiency. 

OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT

Many Escambia County families struggle with low reading rates, diminished access to transportation, and limited educational opportunities. This initiative provides a wide array of tools and resources through the creation of a “Classroom on Wheels.” A converted cargo van, transformed into a mobile library and learning center, will travel into the most affected areas to bring awareness about the importance of early learning and child development, while also providing practical learning activities they can do with their children. Engaging classroom style fun for children and parents will encourage them to play together with STEM activities, sensory play, arts and crafts, and a mobile library offering books and literacy programs to diverse communities. IMPACT 100 funds will be used to purchase a transit cargo van; the safety and office equipment needed for the mobile classroom conversion; and educational materials and supplies with a focus on sensory, visual, auditory, and cognitive learning. Locations will be announced in advance by local radio and TV stations, social media and the ELC website. Parents and families will also be able to enroll their children in the upcoming Pre-Kindergarten school year at these locations. 

EXPECTED IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY

The Escambia County School Readiness Coalition provides many successful and notable educational programs presently within the community such School Readiness to low-income families, Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) to more than 3.1 million 4 year old children since 2006, the VPK Specialized Educational Services (VPK SIS) to age-eligible children with learning disabilities, free Vision and Hearing Screenings, Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R), the Book Nook Project and Little Free Library’s. Classroom on Wheels will be available to all age-eligible children and families in the Escambia and Santa Rosa Communities with special emphasis on reaching children that would not otherwise have the same opportunity for success due to transportation restrictions or financial obstacles. Classroom on Wheels will prepare children with the necessary developmental and social skills needed to provide a strong foundation for a lifetime of successful learning and a promising and successful future for all Escambia and Santa Rosa residents and communities. 

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