Recognition

Recognition Program

Florida’s HEROs ECE Recognition is a voluntary recognition program. It is open to all early care and education centers in Florida that are licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families. This program recognizes ECE centers for integrating the following best practices:

ECE providers play a vital role in the development of our state’s children. The goal of the recognition is for ECE providers to take proactive, voluntary steps to improve their program’s practices and policies related to encouraging healthy behaviors among the children and families they serve. Implementation of best practices in the ECE setting will pave the way for healthy lifestyle choices in youth that continues into their adulthood. Join early care and education (ECE) providers across Florida in the movement to integrate best practices focused on physical activity and nutrition into their programs.

Technical Assistance

If you are the director or provider at a Florida ECE program, we want to support you on your journey towards providing a healthier environment for the children and families you serve. We work with stakeholders across the state to provide free technical assistance and trainings that will prepare your program to apply for the recognition. Technical assistance is an optional, and can be accessed by submitting an interest form. Once your interest form is submitted you will be connected with one of the technical assistance consultant listed below. Our technical assistance consultants will provider you with ongoing coaching and technical assistance using the Go NAPSACC platform. Go NAPSACC is a set of easy-to-use online tools and an online library of helpful videos, activities, and flyers. If you would like to access Go NAPSACC without signing up for technical assistance please indicate this on your interest form.

Certified Go NAPSACC Technical Assistance Consultants

Florida Department of Health in Broward County:

Ray Nellissery: ray.nellissery@flhealth.gov

Florida Department of Health in Citrus County:

Carmen Hernandez: carmen.hernandez@flhealth.gov

Florida Department of Health in Gadsen County:

Esther Rowan: esther.rowan@flhealth.gov

Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County:

Amy Daneman: amy.daneman@flhealth.gov

Florida Department of Health Hardee County:

Stefania Sweet: stefania.sweet@flhealth.gov

UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program:

Angela Corona: a.corona@ufl.edu

Patricia Bridget Lane: pblane@ufl.edu

Julia Sanchez: julia.sanchez@ufl.edu

Health Council of Southeast Florida: Planning@hcsef.org

Application Requirements

Be a Florida licensed/registered early care and education (ECE) program: center-based (to include multi-site programs), family child care homes and early head start/head start programs (to include grantees with multiple site locations).
ECE program director must complete required trainings.
The recognition application must be completed in its entirety.

Recognition Program Incentives

Opportunities for CEUs

Kaplan Monetary Award

Marketing Materials

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of becoming recognized?

Implementing best practices helps to create a healthier environment for the children your facility serves. All centers that apply for the recognition program will have access to free trainings that provide continuing education units. Recognized centers can choose different awards including a Kaplan monetary incentive, conference registration fees, training fees, etc. Recognized centers will also receive marketing materials to display at their center. Also, we will feature all recognized centers on the FLECEAWARD.org website.

If I am applying for a multi-site center, so I need to submit multiple applications?

If you are applying as a center that has multiple locations, only one application that lists all locations is required. All site locations must meet the criteria you are applying for, and supporting documentation must be submitted for each site.

Do centers have to complete all sections of the application or just those that relate to their center?

Early care and education centers must complete all sections of the application. If the application requirement does not relate to their center, centers should indicate this on the application.

Which sites are eligible to apply for recognition?

Any licensed early care and education family home, large family home or center can apply for recognition.