Who qualifies for School Readiness child care help in Duval County?
A Duval family qualifies when household income is at or below 55% of the State Median Level and a parent works at least 20 hours a week or is enrolled in at least 12 credit hours, according to the Early Learning Coalition of Duval. A household with a disabled member can qualify without the work or school requirement.
The coalition publishes an income chart by household size; call 904-208-2044 for the current figures.
How does the School Readiness waitlist work in Jacksonville?
A family joins the SR waitlist through the Family Portal by completing the initial application and uploading documents, then waits for an email when funding opens. The wait can run weeks or months, depending on funding, priority group and the date the initial application was approved.
Once approved, families must report changes in income, employment, schooling, household size or disability status within ten days.
Where are the Early Learning Coalition of Duval's offices?
The coalition lists a Southside office at 6500 Bowden Road, Suite 290, Jacksonville 32216, and a Northside office at 2255 Dunn Avenue, Building 100, Suite 102, Jacksonville 32218. The main line is 904-208-2044.
Those two addresses are close to the Arlington/Southside and Northside school clusters on this site, which helps families who prefer to walk in with paperwork.
Can a Duval family combine School Readiness with other funding?
Usually yes with school-based and diocesan aid, but a student holds only one Step Up scholarship at a time, so the combination is a layered plan and not two awards. Complete the funding check and an advisor maps the layers for your child.
| Question | It is | It is not |
|---|---|---|
| What does it pay for? | Child care and aftercare at approved providers | Private school tuition |
| Is there an income test? | Yes, 55% of State Median Level to qualify | Open to every family |
| Is help immediate? | Waitlist, priority group and funding decide | A guaranteed seat |
| Does it stack with a scholarship? | It can cover care while a scholarship covers school | A payment that can be billed to both for the same hours |