Miami-Dade to Receive More Than 50 Percent of Total Dollars Awarded Florida with the Early Learning Coalition Receiving the Second Largest Early Head Start Grant in the Nation

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe and United Way of Miami-Dade were chosen from among 200 plus agencies nationwide for the Early Head Start Child Care Partnership and Expansion grants. Together, the two entities will receive $14 million. Combined with a $3.1 million grant to Miami-Dade County, the community will benefit from more than 50 percent of the total dollars available to the state of Florida. The Children’s Trust is a significant partner in this federal grant award, with a total match grant of $1 million, divided between the Early Learning Coalition and United Way.

Through these Early Head Start grants, more than 1,000 young children ages birth to 36 months will receive high quality early education and comprehensive services, laying a firm foundation for future success in kindergarten and beyond. This is important because the beginning years of a child’s life are critical for building the early foundation needed for success in school and later in life.

The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe will receive $9.5 million—the second largest grant award in the Nation—to enhance and expand preschool programs, and improve access to high-quality infant and toddler care in high-need communities. “This Early Head Start grant is good for our economy, good for families, and good for the many infants and toddlers who will now have an opportunity to participate in high-quality early learning programs,” said Evelio Torres, President and CEO of the Early Learning Coalition. Torres added, “We could not be more proud of all our partners in this grant process, including our medical partners Jackson Health Systems, Holtz Children’s Hospital, and our education partner Miami Dade College. I can say with full confidence that there is no other community where partnerships are so strong, and it was this kind of support that allowed our community to receive this grant.”

“This announcement speaks volumes about our collective work in advocating for Miami-Dade’s children and families,” says Harve A. Mogul, President CEO of United Way Miami-Dade. “It makes the case for why quality early education is so critical to our success as a community and a nation.”

The United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education, Educare of Miami-Dade, will receive $4.5 million to raise the quality of early care and education in some of Miami-Dade’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods. The Center will partner with child care centers and family child care homes to help them meet Head Start Program Performance Standards. The Center will also work with Miami-Dade County Public Schools to develop seamless transitions for children from the time they attend Early Head Start programs through kindergarten.

The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe is one of 30 Early Learning Coalitions in the state of Florida, serving children from birth to age 5. The Early Learning Coalition’s programs include School Readiness, Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), Child Care Resource and Referral Services, Quality Initiatives and more.

Since 1924, United Way of Miami-Dade has been an innovative force in the community, successfully responding to emerging needs and transforming people’s lives. Today our work is focused on education, financial stability and health—the building blocks for a good life. We invest in quality programs, advocate for better policies, engage people in the community and generate resources. To learn more, give, advocate or volunteer, visit www.unitedwaymiami.org www.facebook.com/UnitedWayMiami or www.twitter.com/UnitedWayMiami