Bishop-Parker Foundation Renews Support For The ELC’s Spot On Program With $50,000 Grant
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) is honored to receive a $50,000 grant from the Bishop-Parker Foundation to further its Spot On Program for the third consecutive year. This generous funding allows ELC to deepen its work with children experiencing developmental challenges and broaden in-classroom services across more local child care centers.
Spot On places licensed occupational and speech-language therapists directly into early learning environments, where they help children strengthen core developmental skills. By integrating therapy into daily classroom routines, the program fosters steady progress and encourages close collaboration among teachers, families, and therapists. The program targets three key areas: communication, emotional regulation, and practical life skills such as dressing, feeding, and using classroom tools. These foundational abilities help children gain confidence and build independence, which they'll carry far beyond the school years.
"This generous grant is a vote of confidence in our mission," said Darrell King, Chief Executive Officer of the ELC. "The Bishop-Parker Foundation continues to invest in programs that build lasting change, and we're grateful they recognize the life-changing impact Spot On has on our county's children."
Unlike traditional therapy models that operate outside of the classroom, Spot On weaves therapy into the child care setting and extends its reach to caregivers and educators. Weekly sessions include hands-on support for teachers, giving them the strategies and confidence to reinforce developmental goals. Parents also gain practical guidance to use at home, ensuring consistency and steady progress.
The Spot On Program is making a clear difference in classrooms. One VPK teacher shared, "I've seen real progress: better communication, more cooperation. And the learning experience is joyful."
One mother of a child in the Spot On program describes it as a lifeline. "The support we've received through Spot On has changed everything," she said. "I finally feel like I'm not alone, because there's a team helping my son succeed in every part of his life."
As Manatee County continues to focus on improving kindergarten readiness rates, Spot On offers a proactive model for early childhood support. Thanks to the Bishop-Parker Foundation, the program will continue to serve children who need extra help getting started.
To learn more about the Spot On Program, visit https://www.elc-manatee.org/SPOT-ON.
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About Bishop-Parker Foundation
Inspired by the philanthropic legacies of our founders, the Bishop-Parker Foundation supports nonprofit and public partners who collaborate to advance the Manatee County community for current and future generations. For additional information, please contact Wendy Deming at wendy@bishopparkerfoundation.org
About ELC of Manatee County
The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Inc. is a multi-service agency dedicated to helping children develop skills that they will need to be successful in school and life. The agency's focus is on high-quality school readiness opportunities for all children and their families, understanding that it is in the first years of life that a child's future educational success is determined and the critical role of parents, as their child's first and most important teacher. To learn more about Coalition's services, go to www.elc-manatee.org or call 941-757-2900, extension 2100.