The Florida Chamber and the Children’s Movement are teaming up to help hurricane-damaged daycares.

Florida Chamber Foundation And Florida Children’s Movement are joining forces on an initiative to help early learning programs affected by Hurricanes Helen and Milton.

The Florida Early Learning Recovery Fund will launch in 2024 with an initial fundraising goal of $1 million, and the money raised will be used to help early learning programs delayed by storms reopen. Fund accepting contributions online.

More than 1,500 child care providers and family child care homes in Florida have suffered damage that threatens their operations following Hurricanes Helen and Milton, according to the Chamber and Children’s Movement.

“High quality early learning is the foundation of our education system and a vital support for our people today and tomorrow,” CEO of Children’s Movement. Madeleine Thakur said. “This fund will ensure the early learning needs of businesses are met so they can focus on providing better education and care for our youngest children affected by the recent hurricanes.”

In addition to reopening costs, the 2024 Florida Early Learning Recovery Fund will distribute funds to child care providers and family child care homes to replace lost or damaged learning materials and support their workers.

“Reopening child care centers is absolutely critical to Florida’s economic recovery,” said the Florida Chamber President and CEO. Mark Wilson. “Without robust early learning programs, parents are unable to return to work and businesses face significant labor shortages.”

The 2024 Florida Early Learning Recovery Fund will be administered in partnership with Florida Early Learning Coalitions, which will distribute grants to child care providers and family child care homes in the hardest-hit areas. The grants will prioritize reopening efforts in communities with the highest rates of poverty and child care deserts, where access to early learning is already limited.

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