Family dynamics are unique to say the least.
We know that families are made up of many different components and that the traditional family dynamic is becoming more blurred. Because of the uniqueness of our families, we have sought out partners that meet the needs of a variety of families.
As part of an interagency workgroup that has representatives from different state agencies working together with children and families, the Office of Early Learning (OEL) shared the Vroom app and Vroom materials at the meetings. The Florida Family Courts participates in the workgroup and was interested in using Vroom as a resource for parents. The Family Courts has shared Vroom information with the ZERO TO THREE network, Guardian Ad Litem volunteers, and through a newsletter that is distributed to judges and court staff. We have been able to share Vroom with all of the partners at the interagency workgroup.
Among other unique partnerships, we have successfully shared Vroom with the Florida Library Association and local libraries. The executive director of the association shared Vroom materials at regional meetings and encouraged members to share the Vroom app with families. The local “Parents as Grandparents” group meets at the county library, and we did a presentation on Vroom for that group.
After a Vroom presentation at a state conference for child care providers, we were contacted by a representative from Early Steps (Early Steps is a part of Children's Medical Services and serves families with infants and toddlers—birth to 36 months, who have developmental delays). She requested materials for her area of the state. We reached out to the state Early Steps director and provided Vroom materials for their state meetings so families in all regions of the state Early Steps program could learn about Vroom.
Since the Girl Scouts has a Babysitter Badge for Cadet Scouts, we partnered with the regional Girl Scout office and offered Vroom materials for the local region.
One of our staff developed a training to cover the requirements for the Babysitter Badge integrating the Vroom app and materials as resources. A local troupe of Cadet Scouts took part in the training and received their Babysitter Badges!
While OEL governs day-to-day operations of statewide early learning programs and administers federal and state child care funds, 30 regional early learning coalitions and the Redlands Christian Migrant Association across the state are responsible for delivering local services. OEL also contracts with the HIPPY home visiting program. At the local level, all of these organizations share Vroom with the families they serve as well as partners in their communities. The local coalitions reported that Vroom made up almost one-fifth of the total of the resources they have shared in the last year. OEL and the coalitions feature Vroom in their newsletters for families, in social media posts, and on their websites. As a result of these efforts, the Vroom app is being used to help family members support their children’s learning throughout Florida.
Child Care Aware® of America is bringing Vroom to Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies in 10 communities across the nation. Read more Vroom Ambassador stories here. Vroom resources are also available through our social channels @ChildCareAware.