Early Learning Coalition of Duval wins Silver WINGS Award for Help Me Grow

The Early Learning Coalition of Duval won a Silver WINGS Award at TOOTRiS’ 2026 summit for its Help Me Grow initiative, which connects Northeast Florida families to screenings, referrals and early learning support. The program uses libraries, child care providers and community partners to help children from birth through age 8 get help earlier.

Why it matters: - Help Me Grow gives families a clearer route to developmental screenings and support before concerns become bigger problems. - The model uses existing community spaces and partners, which makes it easier to reach families who may not know where to start. - The approach is designed to be copied by other communities and Child Care Resource and Referral agencies.

What happened: - The Early Learning Coalition of Duval earned the Silver WINGS Award at the 2026 TOOTRiS WINGS Summit. - Adriana Bonilla, the coalition’s Developmental Health Manager, presented the initiative to about 300 child care leaders and industry partners. - The summit took place Sept. 14-16 at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa in San Diego. - TOOTRiS said six finalists from across the country each gave seven-minute presentations, and attendees voted on the winners. - More than $10,000 in funding and support was awarded across the program.

The details: - Help Me Grow serves Duval, Clay and Nassau counties. - The initiative connects families with early learning activities, developmental screenings and services that help children thrive. - The program brings together libraries, health care professionals, child care providers and community organizations. - Bonilla said the coalition did not create a new program; it connected people, places and resources families already use. - Play & Learn Groups hosted with local libraries are a core part of the effort. - Children from birth through age 5 build language, literacy and social skills through play. - Parents, grandparents and other caregivers learn ways to support development through reading, conversation and everyday routines. - During the 2025-2026 program year, 39 Play & Learn Groups in Duval and Clay counties reached 1,378 participants. - Across 14 Books, Balls & Blocks events, the initiative screened 359 children and connected 100 children to services. - Help Me Grow staff explain screening results, coordinate referrals and help families navigate available resources. - Child care providers also receive help identifying concerns and connecting families with support. - The broader initiative serves children through age 8. - The coalition connects more than 17,000 families annually with early learning opportunities, child care financial assistance, Voluntary Prekindergarten registration and community resources. - Help Me Grow Florida is a free, confidential statewide system for children from birth to age 8. - The statewide program provides developmental and behavioral screenings, expert guidance and local community resources. - Help Me Grow Florida is sponsored by The Children’s Forum and the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning.

Between the lines: - The award recognizes programs already in use, not ideas still on the drawing board. - TOOTRiS framed the coalition’s work as practical proof that local partnerships can improve access and outcomes now. - Bonilla’s message was that systems should be easier for families to use, not harder. - The program’s structure suggests that trusted venues like libraries can lower barriers to early intervention.

What's next: - The coalition can use the award to strengthen awareness of Help Me Grow and expand interest in the model. - Other communities and CCR&R agencies can adapt the approach using local libraries and existing partnerships. - TOOTRiS said the WINGS Awards are meant to spotlight solutions that can be scaled.

The bottom line: - The Silver WINGS Award puts a spotlight on a low-cost, partnership-driven model that helps Northeast Florida families find developmental support earlier.