The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida exists to help grow healthy children, parents, and the relationship between them. We envision a Northwest Florida where all children receive world-class early education and care, thereby being fully prepared to learn upon entering kindergarten. Our vision will become a reality through a committed team of parents, volunteers, and professionals helping families identify and work toward their unique goals for their children. The ELCNWF is responsible for implementing a variety of programs and services throughout our seven­ county service area like:
•    School Readiness Program, which helps families find and afford high-quality early learning opportunities for their children.
•    Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten is a free educational program that helps children prepare for kindergarten.
•    Help Me Grow, which promotes early identification of developmental, behavioral, and educational concerns, then links children and families to community-based services and supports at no cost to parents and caregivers.
•        Early Child Care Coordination Team, which works with identified families to provide parenting skills and family goal support.
•        Parent Cafes, a family-based and parent-led program to facilitate peer-to-peer learning around evidence-based protective factors that improve resilience and strengthen supports within families which are designed to address stigmas around mental health and behavioral health challenges within families by providing a safe space for caregivers to share lived experiences and receive concrete support, including referrals to behavioral health.
Services are provided to families based on program requirements and guidelines, focusing primarily on the needs of young children ages birth to eight.
We recognize that social workers are uniquely positioned to help families address daily challenges and barriers. By helping identify and assess the needs of families and their children, they can work to determine achievable, actionable goals and plans to meet them. Working with the ELCNWF will provide interns with a wide range of opportunities to work with families and their young children.
 

Special Placement Information:

The Agency is accepting BSW Full Time, MSW 1st year students.  Interns can work from two locations in our service area, Panama City and Marianna. Typically, the ELCNWF is open Monday- Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, but we may be asked to participate in outreach events and workshops in the evening or on weekends. Students will need their own transportation to and from their assigned coalition office. Students would need to provide their own liability insurance as well as be able to pass Florida Level 2 background screenings and local law enforcement background screenings. The ELCNWF will cover the cost of both screenings. The clinical supervisor, daily supervisor, and the student will discuss any program-specific details.