Initiatives at the ELCHC

The Child Assessment Initiative supports Hillsborough County early childhood educators in using high-quality developmental assessments to better understand and support the growth of children from birth through age five. Through the use of SmartTeach within Teaching Strategies GOLD, educators document children’s development across key learning domains and use that information to guide meaningful instruction.
Child Assessment provides participating educators with tools, resources, and professional learning opportunities designed to strengthen assessment practices and ensure that developmental data is used effectively to support every child’s progress toward school readiness.

The Hillsborough Infant & Toddler Initiative (HITI) strives to improve the quality of infant and toddler care in Hillsborough County.

The focus of the Initiative is to provide families with more opportunities to access quality childcare for children birth to 36 months. Programs who participate 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.

The On My Way to Kindergarten (OMW2K) initiative encompasses the preschool-focused initiatives iSpy Tampa Bay and Literacy All Year, both designed to strengthen kindergarten readiness by supporting early childhood educators. These initiatives equip preschool providers with high-quality professional development, targeted coaching, and evidence-based instructional strategies that enhance teaching practices and improve learning outcomes for young children.

In addition to professional learning opportunities, OMW2K provides classrooms and families with engaging educational resources and materials that extend learning beyond the classroom. By fostering strong partnerships between educators and families, these initiatives promote consistent, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that help children build the foundational skills needed for success in kindergarten and beyond.