The Florida Chamber of Commerce and The Children’s Movement of Florida teamed up to support the reopening of Early Learning Programs that were damaged during Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
Below is an official release from the Florida Chamber about their recent joint effort with The Children’s Movement of Florida:
The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Business Alliance for Early Learning Project and the Children’s Movement of Florida are proud to announce the launch of the 2024 Florida Early Learning Recovery Fund, an initiative to provide relief to early learning programs impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
With an initial fundraising goal of $1 million, the fund aims to support the reopening of early learning programs in regions affected by the storms, helping ensure Florida’s children receive the early education they need while supporting working families across the state.
- Contribute to the 2024 Florida Early Learning Recovery Fund, visit HERE
- Over 1,500 child care providers and family child care homes across Florida sustained damage that threatens their operation following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“High-quality early learning is the foundation of our education system, and a vital support for our workforce both today and tomorrow,” said Madeleine Thakur, CEO of The Children’s Movement of Florida. “This fund will ensure that early learning businesses’ recovery needs are addressed, so they can focus on providing the best education and care for our youngest children impacted by the recent storms.”
The hurricanes, which struck Florida in late September and early October, caused widespread damage to over 1,500 licensed early learning programs across the state. These programs serve as a crucial resource for families, not only providing care and education for young children but also enabling parents to return to work.
The 2024 Florida Early Learning Recovery Fund will distribute much-needed financial assistance to child care providers and family child care homes, helping them recover from physical damage, replace lost educational materials, and support their workforce.
“Reopening child care centers is absolutely essential to Florida’s economic recovery,” said Mark Wilson, President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce & Foundation. “Without reliable early learning programs, parents are unable to return to work, and businesses face significant workforce shortages.” Wilson added, “This fund aims to expedite the reopening process, ensuring that Florida’s families can get back to work and that our economy can continue its path to recovery post-Hurricanes Helene and Milton.”
The fund will be administered in partnership with Florida’s Early Learning Coalitions, who will distribute grants to child care providers and family child care homes in the most heavily impacted areas. The grants will prioritize reopening efforts in communities with the highest levels of poverty and childcare deserts, where access to early learning is already limited.
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About the Florida Chamber Foundation:
The Florida Chamber Foundation is a statewide, business-led, non-partisan research and future-oriented leadership group working in partnership with regional and state leaders to secure Florida’s future. To ensure global competitiveness, prosperity, high-paying jobs, and vibrant and resilient communities for all Floridians, the Florida Chamber Foundation places the long-term ahead of the short-term by uniting the Florida business community for good to develop strategies around six key factors, the Florida 2030 Blueprint Six Pillars of Florida’s Future Economy: improving Florida’s talent pipeline for a better workforce, creating good jobs by diversifying Florida’s economy, preparing Florida’s infrastructure for smart growth and development, building the perfect climate for business, making government and civics more efficient and effective, and championing Florida’s quality of life.
The Florida Chamber Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are deductible as charitable gifts for federal income tax. To learn more about the Florida Chamber Foundation, visit www.FLFoundation.org.
About The Children’s Movement of Florida:
The Children’s Movement of Florida is the state’s leading voice on early childhood: championing policies and investments for high-quality early learning opportunities, health care access, and parent support. For more information, visit www.childrensmovementflorida.org.
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