Uncategorized – Page 5

09.26.22 |

Why Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences Matter Workshop

The Citizens’ Commission for Children has partnered with Peace and Justice Institute (PJI) at Valencia College through the CRC Network, Orlando Health and the Children’s Advocacy Center at the Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families to provide the second Why PACEs Matter workshop. The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, 9 a.m. to noon via Zoom. The Zoom link will be provided to all registrants as the event date approaches.

In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of the science of Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACEs), trauma, toxic stress and effects on the brain. Furthermore, we will touch on additional realms of adversity that can negatively impact individual and community wellbeing. We will also discuss trauma informed practices, protective factors, and strategies that promote individual healing and resilience.

If you currently serve children and families within your community or have an interest in providing a service, we strongly encourage you to attend this workshop.

You can register by clicking the button below or scanning the QR code in the flier. Space is limited for this event.

CLICK HERE

09.22.22 |

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program

A federally funded program, providing eligible low-income Orange County households with financial assistance for water bill costs. Assistance may include service restoration, future and past-due billing obligations, and water-related emergency services.

For more information, including financial eligibility guidelines and a program application, go to ocfl.net/lihwap or call 407-836-7429.

09.13.22 |

Hispanic Heritage Month Contests for Students

Student essay contest winners will receive a 2-Year Florida College Plan scholarship
provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida encourage students to participate in Hispanic Heritage Month student contests with the theme “Celebrating the Achievements of Hispanic Floridians.” Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized and celebrated in the United States from September 15 to October 15.

“I am proud to honor the contributions and influence the Hispanic cultures have on the United States,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo. “As a Cuban-American, Hispanic Heritage month is a way to not only celebrate but to educate our future generations on the value of community and serving others.”

“As a Cuban-American, I am proud of the many achievements of the Hispanic community throughout the state of Florida,” said Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “I look forward to seeing the art and essays of our talented and creative students.”

All Florida students are invited to participate in academic and creative contests based on this year’s theme. Students in grades K-3 are invited to participate in an art contest, while students in grades 4-12 are invited to participate in an essay contest. Additionally, students, parents, teachers, and principals are invited to nominate full-time educators of all student grades for the Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award.

About the Student Art Contest

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Art Contest is open to all Kindergarten through third-grade students in Florida. Each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s theme. Four statewide winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a $100 art supplies gift card and a one-year pass to Florida state parks.

About the Student Essay Contest

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest is open to all fourth through 12th-grade students in Florida. Each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme. Six winners will be selected: two elementary school students (grades 4–5), two middle school students (grades 6–8), and two high school students (grades 9–12). Each winner will receive a two–year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card for school supplies.

About the Excellence in Education Award

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle, or high school in Florida. Four winners will be selected, and nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian, or student. Excellence in Education award winners will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida and a set of classroom books.

Contest Entries and Nominating Forms and Guidelines

Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online at www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com.

Volunteer Florida

Hispanic Heritage Month Committee
1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250
Tallahassee, Florida 32308

All entries must be received by 5 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.

For more information about the contests, please visit www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com. For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.

07.29.22 |

Save The Date: 4C 5K Run/Walk

07.28.22 |

4C 5K Run/Walk Sponsorship Opportunities

07.12.22 |

Need Help Paying for Broadband Internet Connection?

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides a $30 discount for up to 120 Mbps high-speed internet service to qualifying households.

Families who live on tribal lands can receive discounts of up to $75 per month. The benefit also provides a one-time value of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer.

Am I eligible for free internet from this program? Here’s how to apply, click here.

If you need to talk to someone about your eligibility or application status, call the Affordable Connectivity Program Support Center at (877) 384-2575.

07.07.22 |

DCF Updates Child Care Training Transcript

The Florida Department of Children and Families has updated the Child Care Training Transcript. In addition to a new design, the transcript now features these enhancements:

Field for Training Start Date
Page numbers
Additional Section for Training as Needed or Applicable
Watermark, boarder, and landscape orientation design

A transcript guide has been developed to provide a sample of the new transcript. This guide can also be found on the DCF website on the Training and Credentialing page under “Credentials”.

Students can view their transcript after logging into their Child Care Training Student Account.

06.24.22 |

City of Orlando Rental Assistance Program Update

The City of Orlando continues to work to leverage federal funding to help residents in need during the pandemic. Our Emergency Rental Assistance Program has helped over 2,000 households that have been financially impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic get caught up on their rent.

City of Orlando households looking to apply should visit orlando.gov/assistance. The deadline to submit an application for rental assistance is July 1, 2022.
• Applications submitted prior to July 1 will continue to be processed.
• Previously approved applicants can request additional funding but must submit their request by July 1.
• Submitting an application does not guarantee approval. Applications are reviewed and approved based on eligibility requirements, program guidelines and funding availability.
This program, a partnership with KPMG and Neighborly Software, is funded with $6.8 million in COVID-19 Relief Funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Per the Treasury Department’s requirements for this program, to be eligible, a household must:
• Include one or more individuals within the household who has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship during or due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic;  
• Include one or more individuals within the household who demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; 
• Have a household income at or below 80% of the area median income ($66,300 for a family of four), with priority given to households at or below 50% of the area median income ($41,450 for a family of four) or that have a household member who has been unemployed for 90 days; and  
• Submit proof of occupancy in the rental residence – this can include a copy of a lease, rental agreement, rent receipts, evidence of regular rental payments, or any other documents that show proof of occupancy.  
The City of Orlando’s program also has the following additional eligibility requirements and program guidelines including:
• The rental residence must be located within Orlando city limits. Applicants can verify their address at orlando.gov/assistance.
• Rental assistance is provided for past-due rent and up to three months of prospective rent payments. The total amount of assistance, including any assistance received under the first phase of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, may not exceed 18 months.  
• Rentals in homeowner occupied or homestead properties are not eligible.
• The applicant’s monthly rental rate may be no more than $4,000 per month.
• Assistance with utility payments will not be provided unless the utilities are billed as part of the lease. 
• Rental assistance payments will be made directly to the landlord.
• If a landlord refuses to participate in the program, eligible tenants will still receive assistance by working with a Housing Stability Services counselor, as long as resources remain available.  
• Housing Stability Services will be available through counseling to: prevent evictions; assist tenants in finding new housing and when necessary, pay fees, deposits, and rent for the new unit; and provide housing-related services for survivors of domestic abuse or human trafficking.
For more information on eligibility requirements and/or to begin the application process, Orlando residents should visit orlando.gov/assistance.

Learn more and apply now

06.17.22 |

Join Us For A TECHquity: Coding With Disney STEMinar

05.27.22 |

Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday

The 2022 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins Saturday, May 28, 2022, and ends Friday, June 10, 2022. During the sales tax holiday period, tax is not due on the retail sale of eligible items related to disaster preparedness.

The 14-day tax holiday gives Floridians the opportunity to prepare for hurricane season by saving money on disaster prep items.

Disaster Supply Kit Checklist, click here.

For a full list of tax-free items, click here.