The Rice Family Foundation


	The "Helpful Resources" area of our website captures and shares valuable information related to childhood education and development. CHILDREN'S FORUM — www.fcforum.org —is a private, not-for-profit organization that focuses on enhancing and improving the quality, affordability and availability of child care and early education in Florida. Through a broad array of programs, services and publications, the Forum assists policymakers, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, associations, coalitions, child care agencies, early childhood teachers, directors and administrators in furthering their goals. Services include presentations and speaking engagements, research and analysis, technical assistance and training, conference and event planning and management, website development, marketing and creative services, information technology services and consulting, school-age child care leadership, and continuing education units. The Forum also administers a number of programs to support its mission, including:

Florida PERKS (Partners in Education and Research for Kindergarten Success), which is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of early childhood teachers working in “high need” communities in order to enhance the school readiness of young children, particularly focusing on the development of early literacy and cognitive development;
Child Care WAGE$® FLORIDA Project aims to improve child care quality by reducing turnover and encouraging the continued education of early childhood providers;
Florida T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship Program offers a strategy for improving the education, compensation and retention of the early childhood work force by offering scholarship opportunities.

	NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC) — www.naeyc.org —focuses on improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age eight. The organization's programs include setting and promoting standards for early childhood education, providing professional development opportunities and advocating on behalf of young children and their families for quality early childhood education. The EARLY CHIDLHOOD ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA (ECA of FL) — www.ecaoffl.org —is an affiliate of both the NAEYC and the SOUTHERN EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATION (SECA) — www.southernearlychildhood.org. As a result of such affiliation, the ECA of FL is able to keep members informed on current issues in the early childhood education field. Through leadership, advocacy and the professional development of its members, the ECA of FL strives to promote the quality of life, educational development and care of young children and their families. The ECA of FL offers several publications and brochures on relevant topics, including appropriate programs for early childhood and a parent's role in advancing early childhood development. THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION (ECI)— www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/ECI —focuses on improving early childhood development and learning through a comprehensive program of research, development, and dissemination. The ECI specializes in grants for research, in synthesizing and coordinating activities, in information and referral on families and early childhood development and education, and in disseminating publications, announcements, and other timely information to an array of constituencies. CONNECT FOR KIDS — www.connectforkids.org—uses the Internet to give parents, providers, educators, advocates, policy-makers, and the public relevant and timely information they need to advance the lives of children and families. The Connect for Kids online publication covers a vast array of topics, including arts, youth development, and health. The NATIONAL CENTER FOR FAMILY LITERACY (NCFL) — www.famlit.org—reaches out to disadvantaged families by expanding the number and improving the quality of family literacy services, which, in turn creates educational and economic opportunity for children and parents. NCFL's services include professional development in various literacy fields, research to improve programs, and advocacy and policy development to expand literacy services for families. The OFFICE OF EARLY LEARNING — www.floridajob.org/earlylearning —administers the school readiness system and the operational requirements of the Voluntary pre-Kindergarten Education Program in Florida. This website contains a vast array of information related to this state educational initiative, including links to many Early Learning Coalitions throughout Florida.