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.
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
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
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