ECS4Kids

10/12/2026

Award-Winning Work Culture. A Mission That Matters.

We’re hiring Infant-Toddler Teachers in Jacksonville! Join the ECS4Kids team and bring your passion for helping children thrive to a workplace recognized among the Top Places to Work in 2026.

Apply today:
https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/4438046

10/09/2026

It’s that time of year again where ECS4Kids goes WILD for literacy 🦁📚🐆

Wild Reading Safari is back Saturday, October 17 from 10a–12p at the Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens where we’ll be celebrating the love of literacy & animals with celebrity readers, a special host, live music, yoga, raffles & community vendors 🤩

Swipe for a sneak peek at some of the familiar faces you’ll get to meet this year. And get ready for special appearances from some of your favorite storybook characters, who can’t wait to take photos with your wild little readers 🐾📸

Books, animals, imagination & family — we’re ready to go WILD again!

10/08/2026

The ECS4Kids Early Educator’s Conference is coming to Jacksonville!

📅 Saturday, February 27, 2027
📍 Schultz Center, 4019 Boulevard Center Dr, Jacksonville, FL
✨ Theme: Lead with Love, Teach with Heart

Join early childhood educators from across North Florida for a day of inspiration, learning, and connection. Mark your calendars, and registration details are coming soon!

The ECS4Kids Early Educator's Conference is coming to Jacksonville!

Presented by ECS4Kids in partnership with:
Early Learning Coalition of North Florida
Early Learning Coalition of Duval
International Accreditors for Continuing Education & Training (IACET)

10/06/2026

For some families, hearing the words “developmental delay” or “special needs” can feel overwhelming. It may even feel like a closed door, or a limitation on what they might achieve in the future.

But that is not the reality.

A diagnosis can actually open doors. It can help children access therapies, resources and support that meet their needs early, while their brains and bodies are still developing so quickly.

In this episode of The Kids’ Table, Jessica Bone, Senior Director of Child Wellness at ECS4Kids, explains why a diagnosis between ages 0 and 5 does not define who a child will become at 18.

The right support can help a child build skills, gain confidence and keep moving forward. And for families, a trusted support system can help them process the fear, ask better questions and take the next step.

10/05/2026

Behind 25 years of leadership is a commitment to something bigger: helping children, strengthening families, and building stronger communities.

Teresa Joan Matheny, ECS4Kids’ Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, joins Legacy of Leaders host John Chappelear for a conversation about leadership, innovation, and the mission and impact of ECS4Kids.

🔗 https://youtu.be/7CtC7xVmyXg?is=62AjBOXCmJHRyI9j

"Legacy of Leaders" is an inspiring TV show featuring interviews wi...

10/02/2026

With 13.7% of U.S. households experiencing food insecurity, access to fresh, nutritious food remains an important part of supporting healthy families.

We’re grateful to VyStar for partnering with ECS4Kids on our community garden efforts, helping us nurture healthy families, strengthen our communities, and serve the whole family.

10/01/2026

Today we celebrate 25 years of Teresa Matheny at ECS4Kids! 🎉

Teresa began her journey with us as a Provider Services Coordinator, managing the daily fiscal operations and contract management of the Central Agency. Today, she serves as our Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, shaping the long-term direction of our organization and leading our work with the partners, providers, training, data analysis, IT and more.

Her path reflects what she brings to every role: a deep understanding of how our work operates from the ground up, a vision for where it can go, and an unwavering commitment to the children and families at the heart of our mission.

Thank you, Teresa, for 25 years of heart, strategy, and service. We are so grateful for you!

09/29/2026

At ECS4Kids, we believe serving the whole family means creating opportunities for families to connect, have fun, and make memories together.

Our partnership with Jax Parks brought families and community together for a movie night, with our Community Advocacy Board serving popcorn and helping make this more than just screen time — it was family time 🫶🏾🫶🏼🫶

09/28/2026

Young children build skills one step at a time. Rolling supports crawling. Crawling supports walking. Babbling sounds and “Dada” eventually become words. Each milestone helps prepare a child for the next one. And if they miss a milestone, we want to catch that early.

At ECS4Kids, one out of every 10 children we serve has a diagnosed disability. That is why early intervention and the right support matter so much.

In this episode of The Kids’ Table, Jessica Bone, Senior Director of Child Wellness at ECS4Kids, explains why early intervention matters and how support can help children keep growing when a developmental skill needs extra attention.

If you have questions about your child’s development, start by talking with your pediatrician. Asking early can help your child get the support they need to learn, grow and thrive.

09/25/2026

“Prepared families create safer communities.”
- Jamila Green, Director of Health & Nutrition Services

A huge thank you to Meteorologist Victoria Wisniewski of WESH 2 for empowering our parents and little ones with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe during hurricane season. Each family left with an emergency kit sponsored through our LiveWell Grant as well as greater confidence in being prepared to protect their loved ones when severe weather strikes.