CS/CS/CS/HB 803 Summary

• Establishes a 5-year Literacy Jump Start Pilot Project in St. Lucie County to provide emergent literacy instruction to low-income, at-risk children ages 2-3 who are eligible for federally subsidized child care and have family income not exceeding 150% of federal poverty level.

• Department of Education shall select a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization (such as Parent Academy of St. Lucie County) to implement the program in municipalities with subsidized housing; Office of Early Learning oversees implementation.

• All instructors, volunteers, and noninstructional personnel with direct child contact must clear level 2 background screening within 5 years before implementation; instructors must complete department-approved emergent literacy training before teaching.

• Organization must submit annual accountability reports by December 31 detailing state fund expenditures, participating municipalities, number of children served by location, officer identities, and coordinated health screening and immunization data.

• Act takes effect July 1, 2013; Department of Education allocates funds with all state expenditures verified by affidavit.