Phone: 407-960-2460

Email: info@elcseminole.org

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Quality Early Education for Every Child in Seminole County

Who We Are

The Early Learning Coalition of Seminole is a 501(c)(3) organization established under Chapter 1002.83, F.S. Our principal function is the provision of oversight and policy guidance to the integrated system of the early childhood School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten education programs in Seminole County, Florida.

Our goal is to provide leadership and foster partnerships to optimize a quality learning environment for our children through child care, Voluntary Prekindergarten, Child Care Resource and Referral services, and parent education.

Child care services are offered to children from birth to 5. After school programs are offered for children to age 13.

ANNUALLY WE SERVE AND ASSIST

5,000+
CHILDREN

220+
PROVIDERS

Vision and Mission

Vision and Mission of ELC Seminole

The Vision of the Early Learning Coalition of Seminole is...

for every Seminole County child to enter school ready and eager to learn.

Vision and Mission of ELC Seminole

The Mission is...

to be the recognized authority in Seminole County for information regarding high quality school readiness and child care services which allow parents to make informed choices when selecting child care providers.

ELC Seminole mission carried out through collaboration

We carry out our mission through collaborative partnerships with early education and care professionals, and concerned community leaders to:

  • Checklist items Enhance the quality of school readiness services in Seminole County.
  • Checklist items Promote community awareness of critical factors regarding early learning.
  • Checklist items Provide scholarships for eligible low-income children to attend child care centers.
  • Checklist items Increase participation in the Voluntary Prekindergarten program available to all 4 year olds in Seminole County.

Board of Directors

The ELC of Seminole Board of Directors is a group of at least 15 community members whose composition is designated by Florida State Statutes.

Florida’s Governor appoints the Board Chair and two private-sector business members. Twelve board members are legislatively mandated and will serve continuously while in their respective positions. The ELC of Seminole board also has private-sector representatives.

Board Members

Frank Taylor

Interim Chair

Building Leaders for Success

Grant Knowlton

Vice-Chair

Lakefront Counseling

Kendra Cassell

Treasurer

Terracon

Susan Mulligan

The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County

Traci Klinkbeil

Florida Department of Children and Families

Dr. Gina Fontana

Seminole State College

Jeff Anderson

HD Realty

Ellen Greer

Faith-Based, Not-for-profit representative

Willow Creek Preschool

Kimberly English

For-Profit Representative

Rising Kids Academy

Cindy Metz

4C Head Start/Early Head Start

Mallory Lambert

Seminole County Public Schools

Earnest Alston Jr.

CareerSource Central Florida

Andrea Dunkel

FDLRS Action/Orange County Public Schools

Vanessa Bouffard

Anchored Therapeutic Services

Ida Lewis

Florida Department of Children and Families Central Region

Michelle Wilson

Seacoast Bank

Committees

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is responsible for providing leadership for the Board. This is accomplished by setting policies to encourage effective governance, administration, and legal representation; reviewing and recommending legislative proposals at all levels of government; and resolving conflicts among committees and between the Coalition and other units of government. It also oversees and evaluates the work of the Chief Executive Officer.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee is responsible for providing oversight and development of the Coalition’s financial budget and operations; for reviewing compliance with Coalition policies, procedures and applicable laws and regulations.

Planning and Program Committee

The Planning and Program Committee is responsible for evaluating Coalition programs, formulating strategy, and making policy recommendations to improve the quality of early care and education in Seminole County.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee is responsible for nominating Officers and Members, and nominating replacement Officers when there are vacancies on the Board.

Review Hearing Committee

The Review Hearing Committee is responsible for reviewing provider appeals, reviewing corrective action plans, and coming to an administrative decision compliant with Florida law.

Upcoming Meeting Schedules

Wednesday

NOV 04

2026
1:00 PM
Planning and Program Committee
Wednesday

NOV 18

2026
1:00 PM
Finance Committee
Wednesday

DEC 09

2026
1:00 PM
Board of Directors
Wednesday

FEB 03

2027
1:00 PM
Planning and Program Committee
SEE MORE

All Board of Director and Committee meetings are open to the public and allow for public input. These meetings are held virtually. For more information or to request a virtual invite to the meeting, contact the Coalition at (407)960-2460 or email info@elcseminole.org.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board of Directors with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing listed above, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. As required by Florida statute.

ADA Special Accommodations

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing special accommodations to participate in the meeting should email info@elcseminole.org or call (407)960-2460. Please contact us at least 48 hours before the meeting date.

Sunshine Law

Local Early Learning Coalitions abide by The Florida Government in the Sunshine Law, which prohibits discussion outside a duly noticed meeting between any two or more Early Learning Coalition Board members regarding any matter that may come before the Board. Communications made or received by the Early Learning Coalition Board or staff members are considered public records that must be retained and, upon request, made available to the public and media.

Board Vacancy

The ELC of Seminole Board of Directors comprises individuals from private sector business organizations and leaders of community organizations, as defined by legislation. The ELC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that focuses on improving early childhood education and assisting eligible working families with paying for the cost of child care. The ELC Board provides strategic direction and fiscal oversight.

We accept applications at any time to join the ELC of Seminole Board of Directors. Due to the limited number of board positions, openings are not available at all times, however we gratefully accept all applications throughout the year. As board positions become available, reviews of all applicants are made. For more information on how to submit an application, please contact kmilligan@elcseminole.org.

Governor Appointments

The ELC of Seminole is currently seeking volunteer candidates to fill Governor-appointed private sector member positions. This includes the Board Chair role and two additional private-sector business member positions.

For those interested in these positions or seeking more information, please contact kmilligan@elcseminole.org or apply directly for a gubernatorial appointment and notify the ELC of Seminole when the application is submitted.

Apply Here

Private Sector Positions

The ELC of Seminole is seeking a candidate to fill the role of Private-Sector Representative. Candidates must reside in Florida and be one of the following individuals associated with a private-sector business entity conducting business in Seminole County:

  • An employee, manager or owner of a business entity, as defined for the purposes of this guidance that operates in the coalition’s area of responsibility.
  • An owner having at least a 10% ownership in the business entity.
  • The CEO or COO of the business entity.
  • A business executive or employee of the business entity who is at the management level or higher with optimum policymaking or hiring authority.
  • An individual who previously met one of the criteria aforementioned but is retired from the business entity.

The candidate (or candidate’s relative) must not be a child care business owner or employee.

Procurement

Vendor Registration

The individual or business who wishes to provide services to the ELC of Seminole shall agree to and complete the Vendor Registration Form, the PO Contract Terms and Conditions, and Assurances for Independent Contracts.

Submit forms to: finance@elcseminole.org

If any of the information provided should change, it is the vendor’s responsibility to notify the Coalition by completing a new Vendor Registration Form along with any pertinent evidence of the change, as applicable.

Vendor Forms

Request For Proposal

The Early Learning Coalition of Seminole seeks proposals from proficient and skilled businesses capable of delivering the services and goods outlined in the requests below. Certified Minority Business Enterprises are encouraged to submit a quote/proposal.

Our organization utilizes a Request for Proposals (RFP) procedure to articulate our service and goods requirements. The RFP process is designed to promote fairness in the vendor selection process, ensuring transparency in selection vendors and the reasons behind their selection.

To be eligible for consideration, proposals must adhere to the format specified and be submitted by the deadline outlined in the RFP.

Please be advised submission of a bid to the following active solicitations does not guarantee vendor selection.

Questions? Email us at finance@elcseminole.org