Alachua County Literacy Resource Hub

Social/Emotional Milestones:
Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
Language/Communication Milestones:
Waves “bye-bye”
Called a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
Cognitive Milestones:
Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
Looks for things they see you hide, like a toy under a blanket
Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
Pulls up to stand
Walks, holding on to furniture
Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food

Social/Emotional Milestones:
Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation
Language/Communication Milestones
Points to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?”
Says at least two words together, like “More milk.”
Points to at least two body parts when you ask them to show you
Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes
Cognitive Milestones:
Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking the lid off
Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
Plays with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate
Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
Kicks a ball
Runs
Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
Eats with a spoon

Social/Emotional Milestones:
Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave them, like at a childcare drop off
Notices other children and joins them to play
Language/Communication Milestones:
Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges
Asks who, what, where, or why questions, like “Where is mommy/daddy?”
Says what action is happening in a picture or book when asked, like “running,” “eating,” or “playing.”
Says first name, when asked
Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time
Cognitive Milestones:
Draws a circle, when you show them how
Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn them
Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
Puts on some clothes by themselves, like loose pants or a jacket
Uses a fork

Social/Emotional Milestones:
Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?”
Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground
Likes to be a “helper”
Changes behavior based on where they are (library, playground)
Language/Communication Milestones:
Says sentences with four or more words
Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
Talks about at least one thing that happened during their day, like “I played soccer.”
Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”
Cognitive Milestones:
Names a few colors of items
Tells what comes next in a well-known story
Draws a person with three or more body parts
Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
Catches a large ball most of the time
Serves themself food or pours water, with adult supervision
Unbuttons some buttons
Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)

Social/Emotional Milestones:
Follows rules or takes turns when playing games with other children
Sings, dances, or acts for you
Does simple chores at home, like matching socks or clearing the table after eating
Language/Communication Milestones:
Tells a story they heard or made up with at least two events. For example, a cat was stuck in a tree and a firefighter saved it
Answers simple questions about a book or story after you read or tell it to him
Keeps a conversation going with more than three back-and-forth exchanges
Uses or recognizes simple rhymes (bat-cat, ball-tall)
Cognitive Milestones :
Counts to 10
Names some numbers between 1 and 5 when you point to them
Uses words about time, like “yesterday,” “tomorrow,” “morning,” or “night”
Pays attention for 5 to 10 minutes during activities. For example, during story times or making arts and crafts (screen time does not count)
Writes some letters in their name
Names some letters when you point to them
Movement/Physical Development Milestones:
Buttons some buttons
Hops on one foot

Read familiar stories
"Sound out" or decode unfamiliar words
Use pictures and context to figure out unfamiliar words
Use some common punctuation and capitalization in writing
Self-correct when they make a mistake while reading aloud
Show comprehension of a story through drawings
Write by organizing details into a logical sequence with a beginning, middle, and end

Read longer books independently
Read aloud with proper emphasis and expression
Use context and pictures to help identify unfamiliar words
Understand the concept of paragraphs and begin to apply it in writing
Correctly use punctuation
Correctly spell many words
Write notes, like phone messages and email
Understand humor in text
Use new words, phrases, or figures of speech that they've heard
Revise their own writing to create and illustrate stories

Year 1 - 5 developmental milestone content presented above is taken directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Learn the Signs. Act Early. Developmental Milestones resource. This information reflects the CDC’s standardized milestones for tracking child development from birth through age 5 and is reproduced here for educational purposes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Developmental Milestones.

Developmental milestone information presented above for grades 1st - 3rd were adapted from KidsHealth® by Nemours, a trusted, physician-reviewed resource that provides age-specific guidance on child growth and development for parents and caregivers. The milestones reflect general developmental expectations from infancy through early childhood and are included here for educational purposes.

Source: KidsHealth® by Nemours. Developmental Milestones for Parents.

Ages Served: 0 - 5 for specific programming; otherwise all ages

Eligibility: Not applicable

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Not applicable

The Alachua County Library District provides fun and engaging programs for youth and families at multiple stages of development. Throughout our 12 locations, parents and caregivers are invited to build connection through baby time, music and movement, and story time programs that teach simple ways to integrate the five pre-literacy practices of playing, singing, talking, writing, and reading into their daily routines. We also encourage families to participate in the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge to foster a love of reading together daily.

Baby Time

Early Literacy

Music and Movement

Story Time

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Ages Served: 2 - 4 years

Eligibility: You must live in Alachua County.

Costs: Many programs are free for families that meet income guidelines, such as being at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Medicaid or income based on family size.

Registration Needed: Yes

ACPS Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) is an international evidence-based home visiting early childhood intervention program focused on parent involved learning for preschoolers. The HIPPY model includes 3 years of home-based curriculum 30 weeks (about 7 months) a year, professional coordinator, staff of home visitors, role play instructional technique and home visits and group meetings. The curriculum includes letter knowledge, rhyming, phonemic awareness, comprehension skills and vocabulary development.

HIPPY

ACPS VPK

Ages Served: Birth to age 8

Eligibility: Not applicable

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Not applicable

The Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies is a transdisciplinary center at the University of Florida. In the A to Z’s of Early Childhood, parents, caregivers, practitioners, and policymakers can find short videos and quick tips on how to strengthen children’s development through the 3Rs of Early Learning: Relationships, Repetition, Routines ™, all based on the science of early childhood development and learning. This trusted source offers robust, quality, and up-to-date information and resources, including links to academic research and detailed policy briefs. Click on any letter to begin.

A to Z’s of Early Childhood

3R's of Early Learning: Relationships, Repetition, Routines ™

Ages Served: 3 to 12 years old

Eligibility: Not applicable

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: No

BookSmart is a free digital library for children 3-12 years old. It showcases digital books in various languages, including English and Spanish. BookSmart can be viewed as a website or downloaded as an app on any electronic device that uses iOS or Android software.

It can be used:

To enhance in and out of school time reading.
To help parents engage in conversations around books.
To provide book access and programming for out of school clubs and libraries.

Be sure to use 4-character library code FACC to access our Florida library.

Start Reading

Ages Served: 0 -5 for specific programming; otherwise all ages

Eligibility: Not applicable

Costs: Free for children under the age of 4; $3 for adults with SNAP benefits. View more information on cost here.

Registration Needed: No

Cade Museum in Gainesville has a mission to transform communities by inspiring and equipping future inventors, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. For literacy education, the museum offers Little Sparks Program on site and has outreach classes at Episcopal Community Services (ECS) Head Start in Alachua County.

Little Sparks

Ages Served: 0 to 5 years old

Eligibility: Gross income must be at or below 55 percent of state median income for family size. Must also fall under the eligibility requirements listed here.

Costs: VPK is free for eligible 4 year olds. Families must pay a copayment for childcare based on income and family size.

Registration Needed: Yes

The Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County (ELCAC) serves as a resource to families and child care providers. Our mission is to ensure that all children in our community have the chance to participate in enriching opportunities that allow them to explore, create, play, and grow.

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) team assists families with finding quality child care, provides guidance for early childhood providers, and offers resources to support young children’s learning and development.

Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is a free program aimed to prepare four-year-old children for kindergarten and build the foundation for their educational success. VPK is available to all four-year-olds born on or before September 1 who reside in Florida, regardless of family income.

VPK School Year Program:

540 instructional hours
Class sizes not to exceed 20 students
Instructors must have a minimum of a Child Development Associate for the school year program (Now referred to as the Birth to Five Florida Child Care Professional Credential.)
Typical class begins in late August for 3-4 hours per weekday

Who is Eligible for School Readiness?

Parent(s) must be working or participating in an educational activity such as attending college or trade school at least 20 hours per week.Gross income must be at or below 150 percent of federal poverty level for family size.

Families must pay a copayment for childcare based on income and family size.Other children may be eligible if they have special needs or are at-risk of abuse, neglect or abandonment, or if their parents are homeless, victims of domestic violence or are low-income migrant families or farm workers.

Our Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) team assists families with finding quality child care, provides guidance for early childhood providers, and offers resources to support young children’s learning and development.

CCR&R Request Form

VPK 4+Years

School Readiness 0 - 13 Years

Ages Served: Birth to 5 years old

Eligibility: Children in foster care, Children with disabilities, Families who are homeless, Families receiving TANF, SSI, SNAP, Families who are income eligible

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Yes

Early Head Start (EHS) programs serve infants and toddlers under the age of 3, and pregnant women. EHS programs provide intensive comprehensive child development and family support services to low-income infants and toddlers and their families, and to pregnant women and their families. EHS programs are designed to nurture healthy attachments between parent and child (and child and caregiver). Services encompass the full range of a family's needs from pregnancy through a child's third birthday.

Head Start is a free program dedicated to building school readiness for children and increasing parental knowledge about growth and development for low-income families. ECS4Kids’ Head Start program provides full-day, center-based early learning for children aged 3-5. The Early Head Start Program provides full-day, year-round services to pregnant women and children birth to 3 years of age in both center-based and home-based settings.

How to Apply

Program Options

Head Start (3–5 yrs): Free Childcare for Qualifying Families

Ages Served: Pre-K to 18 years old

Eligibility: Not applicable

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: No

The Florida Center for Reading Research is a multidisciplinary research center at Florida State University that was established in 2002 by the Governor's office and Legislature. Currently, FCRR is home to ten tenured and tenure-track faculty members holding joint appointments with the College of Arts & Sciences, Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, and College of Social Work. In addition, FCRR has affiliate faculty in the College of Social Work, School of Teacher Education, and School of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

FCRR PRE-K Resources

Ages Served: Birth to 3 years old

Eligibility: Based on the Florida Prenatal Screen and the Florida Infant Screen. Each screen consists of a simple one-page set of questions used to determine if mom or baby could benefit from Healthy Start services. The Florida Screens can uncover factors that could affect mom’s health or the baby’s health, growth and development.

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Yes

Healthy Start is a home visiting program that provides one-on-one support throughout a woman’s pregnancy, and is there for mom and family after baby is born and during early childhood. This free program is designed to meet the needs of each participant to ensure that every baby has a healthy start. Pregnant women, infants and families with children up to age 3 who are at-risk for poor birth outcomes and need help with healthy child development are eligible.

NewboRN Home Visiting is a free program offered to all Alachua County women who give birth in the county. Within a week after baby is born, a registered nurse visits the family at home to see how they are doing, share information and connect them to services and resources.

Florida Healthy Start

Bump2Baby360™ (Apple)

Bump2Baby360™ (Google Play)

Ages Served: Birth to 4 years old

Eligibility: Must live within these zip codes - 32601 • 32607 • 32608 • 32609 • 32641 • 32618 • 32640 • 32667

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Yes

Gainesville Thrives is dedicated to fostering literacy in the areas of Alachua County with the lowest reading scores, ensuring every child has the resources they need to succeed. Our commitment shines through the Imagination Library program, which provides free books to children, igniting a love for reading from an early age. Together, we can build a brighter future by empowering our children with the gift of literacy.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Ages Served: 0 - 5 Years

Eligibility: Parents who are expecting or child under 3 months

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Yes

Healthy Families is a free, voluntary support program. The program is offered to families who are expecting a baby or have a newborn under the age of three months and can last for up to five years, depending on the unique needs of each family. Families that would like to join the program can call (352) 294-5530 to schedule an appointment.

Healthy Families is designed to promote positive child-interaction and healthy childhood growth & development. Trained Family Support Workers offer home visits and help parents learn how to recognize and respond to their babies’ changing developmental needs, use positive discipline techniques, cope with the day-to-day stress of parenting in healthy ways, and set and achieve short-and long-term goals. The program teaches parents everything they need to know to make sure their baby grows up safe, healthy & smart.

Healthy Families Alachua

Ages Served: 0 to 8 years old

Eligibility: Not applicable

Costs: No

Registration Needed: Yes

Help Me Grow support families with children ages 0-8 by answering questions about development, guiding through screenings, and connecting families to local resources.

Alachua Help me Grow

Ages Served: VPK – 5th Grade

Eligibility: VPK - 5th graders who are not yet meeting grade level expectations in reading in Florida VPK programs, public schools, and charter schools. You can view more on eligibility here.

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Parents and Caregivers my apply at Newworldsreading.com

New Worlds Reading was signed into law in June 2021 as a program to help Florida's striving readers strengthen their literacy skills, build reading confidence, and foster a lifelong love of reading. Each month during the school year, eligible children receive a free book tailored to their interests with resources and activities for caregivers and children to use together. Books and materials are available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and braille. To be eligible, kids must be VPK - 5th graders who are not yet meeting grade level expectations in reading in Florida VPK programs, public schools, and charter schools.

New World's Reading Program Application

Reading Guides

Reading Journal

Caregiver Videos

Ages Served: 5 to 11 for specific programming; otherwise all ages

Eligibility: Not applicable

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: No

The Alachua County Library District provides fun, engaging, and educational programs and materials for elementary aged youth and their parents. Throughout our 12 locations, children are invited to build connection through programs designed especially for their developmental stage with the intent to inspire lifelong learning. Each location features books, audiobooks, music, and movies for all ages. The library also offers sensory toys, STEM kits and Exploration kits to engage your child in hands on learning. Through our website the library offers access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, movies, and databases to help your child learn and grow. Youth are invited to have fun participating in reading challenges throughout the year. Help your child build and maintain their skills in the Summer Reading Challenge, Winter Reading Challenge and 500 Books Before Middle School Challenge! Participating in reading challenges is a fun way to encourage reading for pleasure! Most importantly, reading for pleasure helps to grow a child’s vocabulary and aids in comprehension. By reading or listening to 2 books a week, your child can read 500 books in less than 5 years.

STEM Kits

ACLD Events

Kids Page

Reading Challenges

Ages Served: Pre-K to 18 years old

Eligibility: Not applicable

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: No

The Florida Center for Reading Research is a multidisciplinary research center at Florida State University that was established in 2002 by the Governor's office and Legislature. Currently, FCRR is home to ten tenured and tenure-track faculty members holding joint appointments with the College of Arts & Sciences, Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, and College of Social Work. In addition, FCRR has affiliate faculty in the College of Social Work, School of Teacher Education, and School of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

FCCR for Families

Supporting your Child's Reading at Home

The Academy

Additional Resources

Ages Served: School-age youth

Eligibility: Students interested in hands-on STEM learning

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: For specific programming registration is needed

Hands On Gainesville encourages a student as apprentice approach to learning, with the belief that learning by doing leads to better understanding. Students are encouraged to see science everywhere in the world and especially in their community.

Hands on Gainesville

Download Sci Map App (Android)

Download Sci Map App (Apple)

Ages Served: 0 to 8 years old

Eligibility: Not applicable

Costs: No

Registration Needed: Yes

Help Me Grow support families with children ages 0-8 by answering questions about development, guiding through screenings, and connecting families to local resources.

Help Me Grow Alachua

Ages Served: 6 - 11, priority enrollment for ages 6 - 9

Eligibility: Rawlings or Metcalfe Elementary Schools, limited to 35 students from each school

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Paper enrollment form, proof of income below 400% of federal poverty threshold

Kids Count is a holistic afterschool program in north east Gainesville. Kids Count is located at Rawlings Elementary and Duval Early Learning and provides daily homework help, social emotional learning lessons, and evidence-based literacy tutoring twice a week. Transportation, daily snacks, and enrichment activities are provided at no cost to enrolled students.

Kids Count

Ages Served: Grades 2–12 (@ ages 7–18) and adults. Adult learners are accepted based on need and program availability.

Eligibility: Students who are reading below grade level and able to participate in tutoring four days a week for 20 minutes a day. Must reside in Alachua County or surrounding service areas.

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Yes, Call 352-234-3132

PEAK Literacy is a nonprofit that provides one-to-one, evidence-based reading tutoring for students who are struggling with reading. Trained coaches deliver structured lessons using evidence-based programs to help students improve fluency, comprehension, and confidence. Services are provided virtually and at select community partner sites.

PEAK Literacy

Ages Served: VPK - 5th Grade

Eligibility: VPK - 5th graders who are not yet meeting grade level expectations in reading in Florida VPK programs, public schools, and charter schools. You can view more on eligibility here.

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Yes

New Worlds Reading is a state-supported initiative created by the UF Lastinger Center for Learning. The program provides free books and additional resources to support children’s literacy development. Children who are not meeting grade-level expectations may be eligible to participate. Visit their website to learn more about the program and check eligibility requirements.

To be eligible, your child must be:

A VPK-5th grader
Who is not yet meeting grade-level expectations in reading
In a Florida VPK program, public school, or charter school.

New World's Reading Program Application

Reading Guides

Reading Journal

Caregiver Videos

Ages: 5 - 11

Eligibility: Families with a child in K-5th grade in Alachua County

Costs: Families who participate in the study receive research incentives for completing surveys.

Registration Needed: Yes (Enrollment Spring - Summer) Contact sbyrd@ufl.edu for more information.

UF/IFAS Books & Cooks is a 12-week literacy and nutrition program created in collaboration with New Worlds Reading. Weekly sessions help families support enjoyment of reading, healthy eating, and family connection through fun, hands-on activities. Additionally, families receive books, childcare, and dinner at each session. Throughout the program, participants will share their experiences as part of a research study to measure the impact of Books & Cooks.

Books and Cooks

Ages Served: Not Applicable

Eligibility: Must have a library card

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: No

The Language Learning Tools resource from the Alachua County Library District highlights a variety of free language-learning resources available to the community through the library. These tools support learners of all ages by offering online language courses, conversational English practice opportunities, test-prep resources, and access to multilingual books and materials to help build language skills and confidence.

Edades elegibles: N/A

Elegibilidad: Tener una tarjeta de la biblioteca

Costo: Gratis

Requiere registración: No

El recurso de Language Learning Tool de recurso de la Biblioteca del Condado de Alachua ofrece una variedad de recursos de aprendizaje de idioma de todas las edades y está disponible a la comunidad atreves de la biblioteca. Estas herramientas apoyan a aprendedores de todas edades al ofrecer clases de idioma en línea, oportunidades para practicar inglés conversacionalmente, recursos para preparación de exámenes, y acceso a libros multilingües y materiales para mejorar habilidades lingüísticas y confianza.

Ages Served: Preschool through 12th Grade

Eligibility: Must be a migratory child and live within Alachua County

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Yes

The Title I Migrant Education Program supports migratory children from preschool through grade twelve by providing supplemental academic instruction and essential support services. The program is designed to address the unique challenges faced by highly mobile students, helping them meet state academic standards and successfully graduate from high school prepared for further education, responsible citizenship, and meaningful employment. Migratory children are defined as youth under the age of 22 without a high school diploma who have moved within the past 36 months across district or state lines to seek temporary or seasonal work in agriculture, fishing, or food processing.

ACPS Migrant Education Program

Edades elegibles: Pre-escolar hasta 12

Elegibilidad: Tiene que ser un estudiante migratorio y vivir en el Condado de Alachua

Costo: Gratis

Requiere registración: Si

El Título I Programa de Educación para Migrantes apoya niños migratorios de pre-escolar hasta el doceavo año proveyéndoles instrucción académica complementaria y servicios de apoyo esenciales. El programa está diseñado para destacar los desafíos únicos que enfrentan los estudiantes que se mudan frecuentemente, ayudándoles a llegar a los estándares educativos y graduarse de la preparatoria (high school) preparándolos para una educación continua, ciudadanía responsable, y empleo. Niños migrantes se definen como jóvenes menores de 22 años sin diploma de preparatoria quienes se han mudado dentro de los últimos 36 meses atreves de distrito o líneas estatales para solicitar trabajo temporal en agricultura, pesca, o procesamiento de alimentos.

Programa de Educación de Migrantes del Condado de Alachua

Ages Served: 0 to 12 years old

Eligibility: Not applicable

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: No

BookSmart is a free digital library for children 3-12 years old. It showcases digital books in various languages, including English and Spanish. BookSmart can be viewed as a website or downloaded as an app on any electronic device that uses iOS or Android software. It can be used:

To enhance in and out of school time reading.
To help parents engage in conversations around books.
To provide book access and programming for out of school clubs and libraries.

Be sure to use 4-character library code FACC to access our Florida library.

BookSmart by WorldReader

Edades elegibles: 0 a 12 años

Elegibilidad: N/A

Costo: Gratis

Requiere registración: No

BookSmart es una biblioteca digital gratuita para niños de 3 a 12 años. Ofrece libros digitales en varios idiomas, incluidos el inglés y el español. BookSmart se puede consultar como sitio web o descargar como aplicación en cualquier dispositivo electrónico que utilice el sistema operativo iOS o Android.

Se puede utilizar para:

Mejorar la lectura dentro y fuera del horario escolar.
Ayudar a los padres a entablar conversaciones sobre libros.
Proporcionar acceso a libros y programación para clubes y bibliotecas extraescolares.

Asegúrese de usar el código de biblioteca: FACC para acceder a nuestra biblioteca de Florida.

BookSmart por World Reader

Ages Served: Preschool through 12th grade

Eligibility: Educators and families of English language learners

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: No

Colorín Colorado is a free, bilingual (English–Spanish) educational website that provides research-based information, practical strategies, and resources for educators and families supporting English language learners (ELLs) from preschool through grade 12. It offers classroom tips, family literacy activities, policy guidance, and tools to help children learning English succeed both at school and at home.

Colorin Colorado

Edades elegibles: Pre-escolar hasta 12

Elegibilidad: Educadores y familias de estudiantes de inglés

Costo: Gratis

Requiere registración: No

Colorín Colorado es un sitio web educativo gratuito y bilingüe (inglés-español) que ofrece información basada en investigaciones, estrategias prácticas y recursos para educadores y familias que apoyan a los estudiantes de inglés (ELL) desde preescolar hasta el grado 12. Ofrece consejos para el aula, actividades de alfabetización familiar, orientación sobre políticas y herramientas para ayudar a los niños que aprenden inglés a tener éxito tanto en la escuela como en casa.

Colorin Colorado

Ages Served: K through 12th Grade
Eligibility: At risk students in grade K through 12
Costs: Free
Registration Needed: Yes

Through Children Within Our Borders (CWOB), CBOB’s local branch, the organization provides comprehensive tutoring and mentorship for at-risk K through 12 students in Alachua County through the Triunfadores College Prep Program. CWOB also hosts monthly health clinics and periodic health fairs organized by its Health Initiative team to increase access to basic health services. Through the Bound for Peace service program, CBOB organizes week-long in person and virtual service trips to Colombia, during which university level students and professionals from the United States design and implement educational workshops for young students. At the core of the organization is the Volunteer Internship Program (VIP), which empowers university level students to take ownership of program leadership and operational responsibilities while gaining hands-on experience. Many interns leverage the CBOB platform to expand the organization’s reach and launch new initiatives.

Edades elegibles: K hasta 12

Elegibilidad: Estudiantes en situación de riesgo de K hasta 12

Costo: Gratis

Requiere registración: Sí

A través de Children Within Our Borders/Niños dentro de nuestras fronteras (CWOB), el sitio local de CBOB, la organización ofrece tutoría y mentoría completa a estudiantes en situación de riesgo de K hasta el grado 12 en el condado de Alachua a través del programa Triunfadores College Prep (preparación universitaria). CWOB también organiza clínicas de salud mensuales y ferias de salud periódicas organizadas por su equipo de Iniciativa de Salud para aumentar el acceso a los servicios de salud básicos. A través del programa de servicio Bound for Peace (destinado a la paz), CBOB organiza viajes de servicio presenciales y virtuales de una semana de duración a Colombia, durante los cuales los estudiantes universitarios y profesionales de los Estados Unidos diseñan e implementan talleres educativos para jóvenes estudiantes. Al centro de la organización es el Programa de Prácticas Voluntarias (VIP), que permite a los estudiantes universitarios asumir el liderazgo del programa y las responsabilidades operativas, al tiempo que adquieren experiencia práctica. Muchos estudiantes aprovechan la plataforma de CBOB para ampliar el alcance de la organización y lancear nuevas iniciativas.

Ages Served: Parents of children with a disability

Eligibility: Must live in Alachua

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Registration for specific workshops needed

Family Network on Disabilities (FND) is a family-driven grassroots organization that supports parents and families of children with disabilities by offering free information, training, and guidance to help them understand educational rights, access services, and support their children’s success in school and life. FND seeks to empower families so they can make informed decisions and advocate effectively for their children’s needs.

The Parents Offering Parents Information and Networking offers free help and information to families of students with disabilities and the professionals that serve them. Our main focus is on the educational needs of students with disabilities.

POPIN

FND Workshops

Ages Served: 3 to 5 years old

Eligibility: Parent request for screening if concern for developmental delay (no income requirement)

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Complete screening request, can call office at 352-671-6057 or go online to springs.fdlrs.org and click on the Child Find Link

FDLRS Child Find Specialists, in partnership with your local school district, help identify young children (aged thirty-four months to five and not enrolled in public school) who may benefit from early intervention or exceptional education services. If you have questions about your child’s speech, behavior, learning, or development, we offer free developmental screenings—no insurance required.

You don’t need a referral from your doctor to get started. Our team is here to listen, provide answers, and guide you through the next steps. We also offer training, resources, and caring support for families, so you never have to walk this path alone.

FDLRS

Ages Served: Parents

Eligibility: Not applicable

Costs: Workshops require a registration fee

Registration Needed: Yes

Since 1974, the Parent Education Network (PEN) has empowered parents to learn a common-sense approach to parenting. PEN is a not-for-profit, charitable community service organization, offering essential programs to support the most important role of all - parenting. PEN is committed to helping parents and caregivers develop the tools needed to meet the challenges of parenting through a program that emphasizes encouragement, empowerment and mutual respect.

Parent Education Network

Ages Served: Parents

Eligibility: Parents seeking guidance and support

Costs: Free

Registration: Some webinars require registration

Parent Guidance provides parents with practical information, resources, and educational webinars to help them better support their child’s development and navigate services and systems. The program is designed to empower parents with knowledge and tools they can use at home, in school settings, and within their community.

Parent Guidance

Ages Served: Dependent on program

Eligibility:

Documented diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related disability (see below), or
ASD or dual sensory impairment (DSI) listed as an exceptionality on the student’s IEP, or
For students under 9 years old, eligible for developmentally delayed (DD) special education program and referred for ASD or DSI program eligibility determination
Must reside in the UF CARD region: Alachua

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Yes

Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UF CARD) at the University of Florida is a free support and resource center that helps individuals with autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities, their families, caregivers, schools, and communities.
CARD offers consultation, training, resource referrals, public education, and support to help people with autism and related disabilities participate more fully in home, school, and community settings. UF CARD does not provide diagnoses or therapy, but connects families with information, strategies, and tools to support development and inclusion.
The center serves multiple counties in north-central Florida and works across the lifespan, from childhood through adulthood.

UF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities

Ages Served: Birth to 36 months

Eligibility: Children who have an established condition that place them at risk of developmental delay (genetic and metabolic disorder, neurological disorder, autism spectrum disorder, severe attachment disorder, sensory impairment, infants who weigh less than 1,200 grams at birth). If there is currently no diagnosed condition but there are concerns about potential developmental delay, a team of early intervention professionals will collaborate to screen, evaluate and assess your child in the following areas: physical, cognitive, gross and fine motor skills, communication, social and emotional, and adaptive development.

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Yes

UF North Central Early Steps provides early intervention services for families of children ages birth to three years old who have or are at risk for a developmental delay. No income requirement is necessary to qualify for the program. Participation is voluntary.

Early Steps

Ages Served: K through 12th grade students

Eligibility: Youth who are at-risk or identified as having complex medical, educational, socioemotional, and/or behavioral problems and are struggling academically.

Costs: Free

Registration Needed: Yes

University of Florida Multidisciplinary Diagnostic & Training Program (MDTP) serves K-12 children and youth who are at-risk for or identified as having complex medical, educational, socioemotional, and/or behavioral problems and are struggling academically.

UF MDTP

Ages Served: All ages

Eligibility: If your child is struggling with: Sounding out words, reading fluently, spelling, understanding what you read, and reading and writing without extreme effort and frustration

Costs: Scholarships available through the Scottish Rite Foundation to eligible individuals to help cover the cost of the evaluation.

Registration Needed: Yes

The UF Reading Disabilities Program was formed to meet the needs of individuals in the community who have reading and writing difficulties. This program provides services to evaluate and remediate children and adults, while training speech-language pathology graduate students in these areas.

Parent Resource Hub

Why Early Literacy Matters In Alachua County

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