Community Coordinated Care for Children is committed to strengthening
our communities and families. It’s our belief that every child deserves
a bright and successful future. We produce this newsletter as part
of 4C’s mission to be a community leader in providing
high-quality services that improve the lives of children and families.
Children’s Week Florida
February 25 to March 1
The largest event held in the state that celebrates and honors its commitment to children, youth, and advocates. What began as a single-day grassroots event is now a year-round initiative that strengthens Florida’s families and communities. Through a variety of interactive events, educational activities, and outreach efforts, Children’s Week Florida seeks to elevate the diverse needs of Florida’s children and youth to our state leaders while acknowledging their achievements. Thousands of attendees including legislators, public officials, nonprofit organizations, business leaders, child and youth advocates, teachers, students, and families attend Children’s Week Florida at the State Capitol each year during the legislative session. In addition, Children’s Week and its partners support numerous community-focused events and activities that take place across the state throughout the year. To learn more, click here.
Black History Month
The celebration was expanded to a month in 1976, the nation’s bicentennial. President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” That year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History held the first Black History Month. Since then, each American president has issued Black History Month proclamations recognizing the importance of Black history in the American story. To learn more, click here.
National Children’s Dental Health Month
This month-long national health observance reinforces the importance of oral health in children as well as helping parents with tips to keep their child’s smile on track. To learn more, click here.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Here are upcoming free, family-friendly events in Central Florida:
Friday, February 2
Free Diaper Distribution, Oak Ridge NCF, Orlando, 9 a.m.
MLK Gospel Concert, Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando, 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 3
Home Depot Kids Workshop, Home Depot locations, 9 a.m.
Touch-A-Truck, Sanford Riverwalk, 10 a.m.
Thursday, February 8
Free Movie, The Princess Bride, Central Park, Winter Park, 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 10
Touch-A-Truck, Downtown Orlando, 9 a.m.
Free Movie, Love & Laughter, Waterford Lakes, Orlando, 5 p.m.
Free Movie, Barbie, Audubon Park, Orlando, 6:30 p.m.
Free Movie, Trolls World Tour, Reiter Park, Longwood, 7 p.m.
Sunday, February 11
Free Family Funday, Mennello Museum of American Art, Orlando, noon.
Friday, February 16
Free Movie, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Center Lake Park, Oviedo, 5 p.m.
Friday, February 23
Free Movie, The Little Mermaid, Lakefront Park, St. Cloud, 6 p.m.
Saturday, February 24
Fair Housing Fair, Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center, Orlando, 10 a.m.
Community Day of Love, Hopkins Park, St. Cloud, noon.
Sunday, February 25
Dragon Parade, Thornton Avenue, Orlando, 11 a.m.
For more events, check out the 4C Community Calendar, click here.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Local public libraries offer a variety of events such as story times. Use these links to learn more about the offerings available to your family:
- Orange County Library System, click here.
- Osceola Library System, click here.
- Seminole County Public Library, click here.
- Winter Park Library, click here.
- Maitland Library, click here.
EARLY LEARNING RESOURCES
School Readiness
The Florida School Readiness Program offers financial assistance to low-income families for early education and care. We are actively enrolling children ages birth to 12 years old. To learn more, click here.
Head Start/Early Head Start
The 4C Head Start and Early Head Start programs promote school readiness and child development for eligible low-income families with children from birth to 5 years old, click here.
Voluntary PreKindergarten
VPK is free of charge to all 4-year-old children in Florida regardless of family income. The high-quality learning opportunity builds a strong academic structure. Now Enrolling. To learn more, click here.
Child Care Resource & Referral
Finding the right child care setting is an important decision. Trained CCR&R Specialists can locate quality child care based on your family’s needs, click here.
Neighborhood Centers for Families
NCF is made up of non-profits, agencies, churches, and groups that work together to provide family-friendly accessible services and activities to Orange County families, click here.
Parents’ Pages
Get tips, strategies, and child development information from the Florida Division of Early Learning monthly newsletter, click here.
Sign up for the monthly School Readiness Family Newsletter alerts and other timely information about resources and services. To subscribe, click here.