Our offices will be closed today, Tuesday, September 27, at 2 p.m. and remain closed through Friday, September 30. A limited number of staff will be available online and by phone, (407) 522-2252, until noon tomorrow, Wednesday, September 28. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, October 3, 2022. Plans may change based on the impact of Hurricane Ian, so please check our website and social media for updates.

Due to the accelerated weather conditions Hurricane Ian is producing, the 4C Education & Training Department is suspending the exam sessions scheduled for Wednesday, September 28, and Saturday, October 1. In addition, the state-mandated class scheduled for Wednesday, September 28, has been cancelled. Please refer to your email for additional information regarding rescheduling dates for classes and exams.

If you have any questions, please contact our department at 407-532-4158 or by sending an email to mbello@4cflorida.org.

The Citizens’ Commission for Children has partnered with Peace and Justice Institute (PJI) at Valencia College through the CRC Network, Orlando Health and the Children’s Advocacy Center at the Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families to provide the second Why PACEs Matter workshop. The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, 9 a.m. to noon via Zoom. The Zoom link will be provided to all registrants as the event date approaches.

In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of the science of Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACEs), trauma, toxic stress and effects on the brain. Furthermore, we will touch on additional realms of adversity that can negatively impact individual and community wellbeing. We will also discuss trauma informed practices, protective factors, and strategies that promote individual healing and resilience.

If you currently serve children and families within your community or have an interest in providing a service, we strongly encourage you to attend this workshop.

You can register by clicking the button below or scanning the QR code in the flier. Space is limited for this event.

The 40-hour DCF certificate & Infant Toddler CDA credential scholarship program will help those who are seeking to gain access to the Early Childhood profession. 4C is offering those who are interested in obtaining their 40 hours through DCF to be eligible to work in a licensed child care center.

Those who have their 40 hours DCF credential are being offered a full a full-paid scholarship to obtain their professional Infant Toddler CDA license.

To qualify for the scholarship, you must meet the low-income criteria or COVID- 19 impacts. (Must live in Orange County or Work in Orange County)

A federally funded program, providing eligible low-income Orange County households with financial assistance for water bill costs. Assistance may include service restoration, future and past-due billing obligations, and water-related emergency services.

For more information, including financial eligibility guidelines and a program application, go to ocfl.net/lihwap or call 407-836-7429.

Student essay contest winners will receive a 2-Year Florida College Plan scholarship
provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida encourage students to participate in Hispanic Heritage Month student contests with the theme “Celebrating the Achievements of Hispanic Floridians.” Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized and celebrated in the United States from September 15 to October 15.

“I am proud to honor the contributions and influence the Hispanic cultures have on the United States,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo. “As a Cuban-American, Hispanic Heritage month is a way to not only celebrate but to educate our future generations on the value of community and serving others.”

“As a Cuban-American, I am proud of the many achievements of the Hispanic community throughout the state of Florida,” said Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “I look forward to seeing the art and essays of our talented and creative students.”

All Florida students are invited to participate in academic and creative contests based on this year’s theme. Students in grades K-3 are invited to participate in an art contest, while students in grades 4-12 are invited to participate in an essay contest. Additionally, students, parents, teachers, and principals are invited to nominate full-time educators of all student grades for the Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award.

About the Student Art Contest 

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Art Contest is open to all Kindergarten through third-grade students in Florida. Each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s theme. Four statewide winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a $100 art supplies gift card and a one-year pass to Florida state parks.

About the Student Essay Contest

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest is open to all fourth through 12th-grade students in Florida. Each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme. Six winners will be selected: two elementary school students (grades 4–5), two middle school students (grades 6–8), and two high school students (grades 9–12). Each winner will receive a two–year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card for school supplies.

About the Excellence in Education Award 

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle, or high school in Florida. Four winners will be selected, and nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian, or student. Excellence in Education award winners will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida and a set of classroom books.

Contest Entries and Nominating Forms and Guidelines 

Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online at www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com.

Volunteer Florida 

Hispanic Heritage Month Committee
1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250
Tallahassee, Florida 32308

All entries must be received by 5 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.  

For more information about the contests, please visit www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com. For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.

The Florida Division of Early Learning in collaboration with Renaissance has conducted webinar sessions that were recorded, and have made them available through Renaissance-U.

If you are a provider who is looking for Florida’s Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) using Star Early Literacy training videos or an instructor or director who wants to know how to administer the assessment, here is a document with instructions, click here.

Learn about supporting your child’s reading at home, healthy reading habits, VPK’s new assessment and more with the September 2022 edition of the Florida Division of Early Learning Parents’ Pages. To view, click here.

Learn about back-to-school time, some family fun ideas, first day of VPK, a Parent’s Guide to child care and more with the August 2022 edition of the Florida Division of Early Learning Parents’ Page. To view, click here.