The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida Inc.

“Form 990 is sent to members of the finance and executive committees for review prior to filing.”

“If a conflict arises, board member shall disclose orally the nature of the conflict and abstain from discussion and voting on the matter and complete a conflict of interest form.”

“Ceo position is based on comparable ceo/executive director position of other early learning coalitions and not-for-profit organizations in the service area with similar duties and similar size and budgets. Assigned hr staff will contact the organizations for comparability data and/or use the internet to query for information. In addition, hr staff will go to guidestar.com to review form 990 submitted by other early learning coalitions and not-for-profit organizations to review comparable position compensation. Hr staff may proceed with a compensation survey or study and/or request for an independent consultant for assistance. Hr staff recommends compensation to the executive committee.”

“Director/manager positions are based on comparable positions of other early learning coalitions and not-for-profit organizations in the service area with similar duties. Assigned hr staff will contact the organizations for comparability data and/or use the internet to query for information. In addition, hr staff will of to guidestar.com to review form 990 submitted by the early learning coalitions to review comparable position compensation. Hr staff recommends compensation to the ceo.”

“The organization's governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statments are on the organization's website. These documents are also available upon request.”

“The organization's primary exempt purpose is to enhance the quality of children's lives by providing families, early childhood educators, care- givers and community partners in collier, glades, hendry and lee counties, with opportunities to positively impact the future. The early learning programs have high quality standards, comprehensive services, seamless delivery systems with diverse settings, and well-educated, competent staff. The delivery systems for school readiness programs are comprised of child care providers and of school-based sites operated by public and nonpublic schools.”

“Voluntary pre-kindergarten (vpk): a legislatively mandated, statewide program designed to prepare every four-year-old and younger five-year-olds in florida for kindergarten and build the foundation for their educational success. The vpk program gives each child an opportunity for preparation to perform better in school and throughout life through participation in vpk. Providers contract to assure high literacy standards, accountability, appropriate curriculum, substantial instruction periods, manageable class sizes, and qualified instructors. The early learning coalition of southwest florida supports the vpk program in collier, glades, hendry and lee counties by contracting for voluntary pre-kindergarten services and supporting the development of high quality vpk providers. The program is available for four and five-year-old children in 262 sites serving 7,726 children in our 4-county region.”