Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County

10/27/2026

Did you know?

Staffing shortages are one of the top reasons child care programs limit enrollment or close classrooms, which directly affects how many young children can be served.

That's why reliable substitute support matters. Through ELC Escambia's partnership with Tandem, contracted providers can affordably book vetted, state-compliant substitutes, helping keep classrooms open and children learning.

Learn more: www.join-tandem.com

10/22/2026

It's that time of year again! The Toys for Tots donation box has been delivered, and we are asking everyone to help make the holiday season brighter for children in our community by donating if you are able.
Please keep in mind that Toys for Tots serves children and teens up to age 18, and donations for teenagers are often in high demand. Deadline for drop off is December 8th. You can drop off at 1720 W. Fairfield Dr. Pensacola FL 32501 Ste. 100/400.

Teen Girl Gift Ideas:
• Candles
• Hair accessories and styling items
• Face masks and self-care products
• Fuzzy socks
• Bluetooth speakers
• Earbuds or headphones
• Art supplies
• Makeup kits
• Journals and craft kits

Teen Boy Gift Ideas:
• Wallets
• Socks
• Sunglasses
• Bluetooth speakers
• Earbuds or headphones
• Art supplies
• Sports accessories
• Small electronics and gadgets

Thank you in advance for your generosity and support. Every donation helps bring joy to a child or teen during the holiday season!

10/20/2026

Wondering when to use Tandem? Here are 3 situations where your substitute pool can step in:

1️⃣ Call-Offs: A teacher calls in sick at 6 AM? Tandem has you covered with vetted, local substitutes ready to go.

2️⃣ PTO and Sick Leave: Give your team the time off they deserve without scrambling to find coverage.

3️⃣ Long-Term Coverage: Need consistent support for an extended absence? Tandem can help fill the gap.

Every substitute is state-compliant, credentialed, and background-checked. Providers pay only the substitute's hourly wage, and Tandem's service fee is covered by ELC Escambia 💙

Learn more: www.join-tandem.com

10/19/2026

To help local business owners understand the program and navigate the application process, CareerSource Escarosa is hosting an informational workshop:

• What: Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Workshop
• When: Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
• Location: 6913 N. 9th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504
• Contact: 850.607.8700
•
Key Program Highlights
1. Funding Amount: Up to $100,000 per eligible applicant.
2. Interest Rate: 0% interest (interest-free during the term).
3. Eligibility: For-profit businesses located in designated disaster counties that employ 2 or more employees (including W-2 employees and 1099 independent contractors).
4. Purpose: Provides immediate, short-term cash flow to bridge the gap while awaiting long-term assistance, such as insurance claims or SBA disaster funding.

Access the Application & Program Details
You do not have to wait for the workshop to review requirements or begin your application. Learn more and access the portal here:

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

10/17/2026

Have a passion for early education and looking to be your own boss? 🏡👶 Turn your dream into reality by joining our upcoming workshop: Launching a Home-Based Childcare Business in Pensacola!

Whether you're mapping out your licensing requirements, setting up your space, or learning how to structure your startup, this session covers the essential foundations you need to succeed.

📅 Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026

🕒 Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM CT

📍 Location: Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County, 1720 W Fairfield Dr Suite 400, Pensacola, FL, 32501

Don't wait to build a rewarding career on your own terms. Secure your spot today! 👇

🔗 Register now: http://tinyurl.com/childcare-oct29

10/14/2026

We are operating as normal this Friday!!
🍼 Mobile Stork Stock is Now Open to ALL Escambia County Families with Proof of Need! 🍼
Healthy Start's Mobile Stork Stock provides FREE essential baby items and safety equipment to families in need throughout Escambia County.
📍 What You'll Need to Bring:
✔ Proof of Escambia County residency (Driver's License, State ID, Passport, or Photo ID plus a current household bill)
✔ Proof of need (Medicaid card, WIC card)
⚠️ Please Note: Supplies are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Attendance does not guarantee availability of items.
Follow our social media pages for weekly location announcements, schedule updates, and weather-related changes.
For more information, contact Healthy Start at 850-696-2291

10/14/2026

Additional resources

HURRICANE ISAIAS RELIEF RESOURCES | ESCAMBIA & SANTA ROSA COUNTIES

As our community continues to recover, we want to make sure our neighbors know help is available. 🤍

We’ve gathered local resources for food, water, baby supplies, hot meals, home cleanup, tarps, FEMA assistance, pet needs, laundry support and more.

Please SAVE & SHARE this post. You never know who on your timeline may need one of these resources today.

Some resources are available while supplies last, so we encourage you to call or verify availability before traveling.

At Health & Hope Clinic, we believe caring for our community goes beyond the walls of our clinic. During difficult seasons, we show up for one another.

🙏🏽 Neighbors helping neighbors. We are stronger together.

💙🧡 Health & Hope Clinic
Health Changes Lives. Hope Makes It Possible.

10/14/2026

10/14/2026

Subject: Hot Meals Available to the Public

FYSA, if you come across anyone asking for assistance.

Walmart continues to expand hurricane recovery support across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties, providing free meals, water, showers, laundry and connectivity services to impacted residents.

These efforts are part of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation's $1 million commitment in funding and in-kind donations to support hurricane recovery. Read more about our commitment and relief efforts here.

New and ongoing community resources at Walmart for Tuesday, October 13:
1. Pensacola – #1222: 8970 Pensacola Blvd | Free hot meals at 11 a.m. and approximately 3 p.m., bottled water, showers and laundry.
2. Milton – #990: 4965 Highway 90 | Free hot meals at 11 a.m. and approximately 3 p.m., Wi-Fi/charging, showers and laundry.
3. Gulf Breeze – #2533: 3767 Gulf Breeze Pkwy | Free device charging through Verizon from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Operation BBQ Relief – Hot Meals
1. Santa Rosa Beach #8861: 6861 E US Hwy 98 – Lunch only
2. Pensacola #3785: 501 N Navy Blvd – Lunch and dinner
3. DeFuniak Springs #1134: 1226 US-331 – Lunch and dinner
4. Niceville #5845: 1300 E John Sims Pkwy – Lunch and dinner
5. Fort Walton Beach #919: 748 Beal Pkwy NW – Lunch and dinner
6. Milton #2983: 6275 US Hwy 90 – Lunch and dinner
All services are free, with meals and bottled water available while supplies last. Service availability and operating hours may change.

10/13/2026

ECUA has lifted the precautionary boil water notice for mainland Escambia County, including Perdido Key.

ECUA has lifted the precautionary boil water notice for mainland Escambia County, including Perdido Key. The precautionary boil water notice remains in effect for Pensacola Beach, which is expected to be lifted by Wednesday, pending confirmation that water quality meets applicable requirements.

IMPORTANT: Some mainland addresses remain under the precautionary boil water notice. Customers at the addresses listed below must continue following the precautionary boil water notice until ECUA announces that it has been lifted for their location. Customers at the addresses listed below will be notified via door hanger.

Mainland addresses still under the precautionary boil water notice are listed on our website: https://www.ecua.fl.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/54

ECUA will provide updates as additional areas are cleared. Customers whose addresses remain on the list should continue to follow boil water precautions until ECUA issues an official notice lifting the advisory for their location.

Customers can visit ECUA.fl.gov and continue following ECUA's social media for updates and additional information.

ECUA appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation as crews continue working to restore normal water service and ensure the safety of the water system following Hurricane Isaias.