Vinik Family Foundation awards $3 million professional development in Hillsborough County

The Vinik Family Foundation ?generously committed an additional $3 million in funding to support our?Hillsborough Early Learning Network ?(HELN) Flamingo Group. Three years ago, the Lastinger Center, in partnership with the ?Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, benefited from an investment in Tampa Bay's future. Vinik's vision was to create a comprehensive, professional development program for early childhood educators through online learning, coaching and peer support. In turn, as educators improve their skills, the quality of learning increases for children. And it did. Data show that educators and leaders in who participated increased their knowledge of foundational early childhood education content, such as early language and literacy development, by an average of 30%. Numerous studies show that high-quality early learning experiences led by trained and supported teachers have significant and sustained impacts on child development outcomes. Ultimately, educators’ increased knowledge improves the level of care and delivery of instruction so children enter kindergarten ready to learn.

“Using research-based data to improve how the early learning community serves families and teaches children has a positive, lasting and exponential impact on Hillsborough’s economy,” said Jeff Vinik, owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning. “If we want to achieve the economic potential I know this community is capable of, we need to invest in our early learning workforce.”

Over the next three years, hundreds of educators will have free access to Flamingo Learning, an online learning hub with tailored professional development content that offers practical, easy-to-implement best practices and opportunities to connect with other early childhood professionals in the community.?Provided at a fraction of the cost when compared to traditional professional development settings, this sustainable model reaches more educators, leaders and ultimately children.?

“We are very happy to be a partner with the UF Lastinger Center and the Vinik Family Foundation in the HELN initiative,” said Gordon Gillette, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County. “Working synergistically with the HELN over the last three years to train early childhood teachers to be better teachers has made a huge difference in improving access to, and the quality of, early learning educational experiences and outcomes for children in Hillsborough County. The support of the HELN by the Vinik family has been the driver for these significant achievements.”

HELN offers a combination of online, and in-person supports to help early childhood educators enhance their skills and strengthen their ability to incorporate practices that improve child outcomes.?Over the past three years, more than 500 Hillsborough County educators participated in the program. In real-time they’ve learned to implement innovative, research-based strategies foster a high-quality learning environment. During the past three years, HELN participants used their skills to improve learning for more than 5,000 children. Beyond improving the learning experiences of young children, the professionals in HELN also gain valuable credentials that expand future career opportunities.

“Our work is transforming early childhood education in Hillsborough County and empowering children with the skills and confidence necessary for success in school and beyond,” said Dr. Philip?E. Poekert, Director of the Lastinger Center. “We know that kindergarten readiness is a key indicator of life-long success.”

HELN is a national prototype of early childhood professional development created to transform teacher practice and improve child outcomes. The program validates the life-changing impacts professional learning supports, critical system and policy elements, and strategic partnerships make when simultaneously leveraged in one community.