About Us
Our History
The Lake County Coalition is among 30 organizations in Florida established by state legislation to administer the School Readiness and Voluntary Program in Lake County, Florida. The Coalition provides a variety of innovative early learning services to Lake County families including, child care resource and referral services, subsidized child care assistance and Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program eligibility services. Child care services are offered to children ranging from birth to age five, as well as after school programs for children to age twelve.
The School Readiness Program offers financial assistance to low-income families for early child education and care so families can become financially self-sufficient and their young children can be successful in school in the future
The Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program prepares early learners for success in kindergarten and beyond. Children must live in Florida and be 4 years old on or before September 1 of the current school year to be eligible. The program helps build a strong foundation for school using educational materials that are geared to various stages in a child’s development.
Our Mission
To educate and support parents, early childhood professionals and the community as we collaborate to continue to provide the highest quality early learning programs for our children.
Our Vision
The children and families of Lake County are our future and our most vulnerable resource. Our children will enter school eager to learn and ready to succeed.
Board Members & Meetings
Board Members
Courtney Yarkosky
Chair, Governor Appointed Chair of the Board
Sandi Moore
Vice Chair
Laura Tolbert
Secretary, Governor Appointee
Caroline VanDyken
Treasurer
Jacqueline Barnwell-Williams
Lake Sumter State College Board Representative
Cathy Clay
Private Child Care Provider Representative
Andrea Dunckel
I.D.E.A. Representative
Morgan Entsuah
Governor Appointee
Richard Forrester
Department of Children and Families Representative
JewRonda Greene
Episcopal Children's Services, Inc./Head Start
Gustavo Henriquez
Regional Workforce Board Representative
Danielle Jarrett
Lake County Schools
Aaron Kissler
County Health Dept. Director
Robert Redding
DCF Protective Services
Brandi Simmons
Faith Based Child Care Provider Representative
Kirby Smith
Commissioner Lake County
Page Whittle
Private Sector Business
If you are interested in being a volunteer member of our Board of Directors, click below to complete the ELCLC Board of Directors Nomination Form.
If you are interested in serving on our board as a Governor Appointed Member, please click the link below to apply today.
Staff Directory
Administrative
Family Services
Finance
Help Me Grow
Quality Department
Compliance
Career Opportunities
The Early Learning Coalition of Lake County Employment Advertisements:
Community Partners
- The Developmental Center For Infants & Children
- Community Action Partnership
- Florida Department of Children and Families
- Raising A Reader
- Kids Central Inc.
- Publix
- SYSCO Central Warehouse
- Early Childhood Association of Florida
- Lake County Schools
- Public Safety Education Group
- Lake County Health Department
- LakeTech
- Childcraft
- UCF
- SouthLake Chamber of Commerce
- Community Foundation of South Lake County
- LCS Teen Parent Program
- Orlando Magic Youth Foundation
- Mount Dora Community Trust
- City of Tavares Florida
- Leesburg
- City of Minneola
- Lake Sumter Emergency Medical Services
- Florida KidCare
- The City of Mount Dora
- LifeStream
- OakWood Smokehouse & Grill
- Orlando Sentinel Family Fund
- Lake Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce
- Wright Group
- Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce
- City of Groveland
- KAPLAN
- Tavares Chamber of Commerce
- East Lake County Chamber of Commerce
- Lady Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
- Town of Lady Lake
- City of Mascotte, Florida
- Redlands Christian Migrant Association
- FDLRS
- Lake Sumter State College
- Lake County Affairs Council
- VSA Florida