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

Treasurer, Governor Appointee

Brandi Simmons

Faith Based Child Care Provider Representative, Secretary

Lou Buigas

Private Sector

Commissioner Leslie Campione

Lake County Board of County Commissioners

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

VACANT

Lake Sumter State College Designee

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.

On-Line Board Nomination Form

If you are interested in serving on our board as a Governor Appointed Member, please click the link below to apply today.

https://www.flgov.com/appointments/

Staff Directory

Administrative

Lesha Buchbinder

Chief Executive Officer

EXT - 352-315-6662

Joanne Brinck

Operations Support Specialist

EXT - 352-315-6695

Metria Leo-Willis

Executive Director

EXT - 352-315-6663

Miriam Quiles

Resource Outreach Manager

EXT - 352-435-0566

Family Services

Timothy Layne

Chief Program Officer

EXT - 352-315-6668

Wanda Gomes-Bey

Administrative Support Specialist

EXT - 352-315-6661

Teressa Parrish

CCRR Coordinator

EXT - 352-315-6690

Nicole Adkins

Child Development Coordinator

EXT - 352-315-6687

Lillian Lopez

Family Services Specialist

EXT - 352-315-6680

Jessica Mullins

Family Services Specialist

EXT - 352-315-6685

Ruth Williams

Family Services Specialist

EXT - 352-435-0566

Finance

Greg Thomas

Chief Financial Officer

EXT - 352-315-6681

Jennifer Aldrich

Reimbursement Manager

EXT - 352-315-6682

Wynderlon Blunt

Reimbursement Specialist

EXT - 352-315-6683

Denise Dye

Fiscal Specialist1

EXT - 352-315-6673

Help Me Grow

Justine Reina

Help Me Grow Care Coordinator

EXT - 352-315-6670

Vacant Accepting Resumes

Physician Outreach Coordinator

EXT - 352-435-0566

Quality Department

Tameka Mays

Chief Quality Officer

EXT - 352-315-6672

Sarah Bethards

Infant/Toddler PreK Inclusion Specialist

EXT - 352-315-6669

Phyllis Beveridge

Early Childhood Specialist

EXT - 352-315-6678

Nelida Diop

Early Education Specialist

EXT - (352) 315-6674

Lisa LeBlanc Lopez

Early Education Specialist

EXT - (352) 315-6676

Faith Monserrate

Early Education Specialist

EXT - 352-315-6695

Rometha Presley

Early Education Specialist

EXT - 352-315-6684

Dianna Aguirre

Professional Development Training Coordinator

EXT - 352-315-6664

Compliance

Simone Smith

Chief Compliance Officer

EXT - 352-315-6667

Joy Flynn

Compliance Specialist

EXT - 352-315-6686

Tanya Goulbourne

Compliance Specialist

EXT - 352-315-6694

Amber Tate

Compliance Specialist

EXT - 352-315-6677

Alanna Rosario

Quality Assurance Specialist

EXT - 352-315-6671

Career Opportunities

The Early Learning Coalition of Lake County Employment Advertisements:

Accountant

Help Me Grow Program Manager