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Let’s work together to grow great minds.

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Hillsborough Infant & Toddler Initiative

Growing great minds

The Hillsborough Infant & Toddler Initiative (HITI) provides families with more opportunities to access quality childcare for children birth to 36 months. 

Participating programs are committed to increasing their childcare slots for very young children, improving the quality of care they provide through age-appropriate learning environments, and improving teacher-child interactions through targeted professional development for infant & toddler teachers.
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Program Highlights from 2019-Current Year

New Infants and Toddlers Enrolled

Active Classrooms Enhanced 

New Classrooms Added to Programs

 PD Hours Completed by Educators

Eligibility Requirements

Good standing with USDA Food Program, DEL & DCF

Licensed for infant and toddler care
Priority given to programs in high-need and South County zip codes

Contract Requirements

Have a School Readiness Contract with ELCHC

  • Active after July 1, 2024
  • Exempt & Non-Exempt SRPA Programs
  • No vacant rooms or space for new enrollment if CLASS score of 4.29 or lower of infant& toddler rooms 

Participation Requirements

  • Minimum of 5 hours of infant & toddler specific professional development
  • Complete 1 or more Family Engagement Event(s)
  • Participate in coaching with a Flamingo Certified Coach
  • Complete pre & post observation assessments
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Testimonials

What Our Participants Say

Our participation in the HITI program has brought remarkable enhancements to our Toddler and Two's Program. The comprehensive support provided by HITI has significantly transformed how we engage with both children and their parents.
Nikki C.- Children's Nest Academy
Being a part of HITI has been an incredible experience for our daycare. This program has provided us with valuable new materials that enhance our learning environment, as well as coaching sessions that have helped us improve our teaching strategies and boost our class scores. 
 Sha'lanika W.-Tiny Adventures
Thank you for providing fun books to read to my daughter, exciting family engagement projects and so much more. We have learned how to engage her siblings in her social and emotional development with the resources we have received from HITI. She loves when her bug brother uses the puppets to read her a story, she has learned to hay "hello" with the play phone provided and point to images in the books with her big sister.
HITI has also provided my family with new learning materials where I can build my daughter her "Reading Corner/ Cozy Area".
Thank you HITI for all you do for the families and providers in the community!
HITI Parent from Oak Grove Academy

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HITI Benefits Programs and Families

Increase Program Quality & Enrollment

HITI supports programs in serving more children and families in their local community in addition to improving the quality of childcare provided to families with children aged birth to 36 months.
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ELCHC Coaching

HITI provides access to ELCHC staff classroom coaching & technical assistance. HITI programs also receive classroom materials, professional development stipends and reimbursement for training costs.
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Family Engagement

HITI participants receive support for family engagement. Participants learn how to engage families in program activities that increase their understanding of their child’s development and extend learning beyond the classroom.
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Meet the HITI Team

Theon Salley

Infant & Toddler Coordinator

Stephanie Candelaria

Early Learning Specialist