CS/HB 85 Summary

• Office of Early Learning shall establish 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.

• Eligible children must be eligible for federally subsidized child care, have family income not exceeding 150% of federal poverty level, and reside in locally or federally subsidized housing.

• Selected implementing organization must be a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit (such as Parent Academy of St. Lucie County) and must provide instruction in subsidized housing units; faith-based organizations may be selected but funds cannot be used for religious indoctrination.

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

• Organization must submit annual accountability reports by December 31 detailing state fund expenditures, participating municipalities, number of children served, and coordinated health services provided; act takes effect July 1, 2014.