FL S0880

Requires the Department of Education to 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 who are eligible for federally subsidized child care and live in subsidized housing.

Mandates the department select a local nonprofit organization qualified under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) to implement the project, with the Office of Early Learning overseeing implementation; faith-based organizations may be selected but state funds cannot be used for religious indoctrination.

Requires all volunteers, instructors, and noninstructional personnel with direct child contact to complete level 2 background screening under Florida Statute 435.04 before receiving state funds or participating in the project.

Mandates instructors complete an approved emergent literacy training course prior to providing instruction and encourages coordination with St. Lucie County Health Department for basic health screening and immunization services.

Requires annual accountability reports by December 31 detailing state fund expenditures, other funding sources, number of participating children, organization officers, and health services provided; takes effect July 1, 2014.