FL S1116

Establishes a 5-year Literacy Jump Start Pilot Project in St. Lucie County, administered by the Office of Early Learning, to develop emergent literacy skills in low-income, at-risk children.

Requires the Office of Early Learning to select a local nonprofit organization (501(c)(3) status) to implement the project, with instruction provided in subsidized housing units within eligible municipalities.

Eligible participants must be ages 2-3, qualify for federally subsidized child care, and have family income not exceeding 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

Mandates background screening for all child care personnel per Florida Statutes and requires instructors to complete Office of Early Learning-approved emergent literacy training before instruction begins.

Requires the implementing organization to submit annual accountability reports by December 31 detailing fund usage, funding sources, participant numbers, and any coordinated health screening and immunization services provided.