Future Ready Collier focuses on three main goals:
1. Ensure all children are Kindergarten ready. (Early Development)
2. Ensure all youth are provided support during their elementary and middle school years. (School Success)
3. Ensure all young people are career ready by graduating high school on track to obtain a degree or credential. (College & Career Success)
To achieve these goals, many factors must be considered. In the menu below, you will find a variety of links to information, materials, and resources from partners across our community, which will be helpful for both service providers and families. You will also find a few tool kits created in collaboration with partners.
There is a wealth of information available, but if you do not find what you’re looking for, please email your question to info@futurereadycollier.org.
College & Career Opportunities
Ave Maria University
Catholic university focused on liberal arts and development of the whole person, and finding your vocation and career while building a strong foundation.
https://www.avemaria.edu/
Career Source SWFL
Opportunities for job seekers, and employers of all kinds. Training opportunities, scholarships, job fairs, and much more.
https://careersourcesouthwestflorida.com/
Florida South Western State College
Offering two and four year undergraduate degree programs, and NASPA certified to support first-generation college students as a First Generation Forward College.
https://www.fsw.edu
Florida Gulf Coast University
Offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs of strategic importance to SWFL and beyond.
https://www.fgcu.edu
Greater Naples Chamber
The Chamber and Leadership Collier Foundation work together to support our Emerging Talent initiative through work-based learning. See the latest internship opportunities:
https://web.napleschamber.org/jobbank/internshiplistings.aspx
Junior Achievement
JA offers a variety of programs for student development and success, implemented by volunteers or in class teachers.
https://www.juniorachievement.org/web/ja-swflor/ja-programs
Lorenzo Walker Technical College
Provides high quality, relevant educational experiences and skill building to prepare for employability and successful careers.
https://www.lwtc.edu
College & Career Readiness Toolkit
A community-wide goal of Future Ready Collier is to ensure all young adults are ready for college and/or careers. Future Ready Collier network partners compiled a resource kit to help students be prepared for their higher education goals.
To download the toolkit, click the image below:
Collier County Public Schools
CCPS Registration
Online centralized registration for all new students, Pre K – 12.
https://www.collierschools.com/registration
CCPS Parent Academy
Programs and resources to support strong parent-student bonds to support wellness and educational outcomes.
https://www.collierschools.com/pa
CCPS College Preparedness
Find information about financial aid, applying to college, and much more.
https://www.collierschools.com/financialaid
Community Resources
Collier CARES
“All kinds of help. All in one place.” Connects people in need with critical resources and services available in Collier County. Available online and as a mobile app. Use it when you’re looking for services, or you have a service to offer. Free, bilingual, and updated daily. Brought to us through NCEF.
https://colliercares.org/cc/home
United Way 211
When you need non-emergency help, call 2-1-1 to reach a trained specialist who can assist you.
https://unitedwayofcolliercounty.org/get-help/
Early Development Resources
EarlyCare Text Messaging Service
Bilingual, free text messaging for parents tailored to the child’s age from birth to 8. Maybe three tips per week focusing on speech, reading, development, wellness, nutrition, educational milestones.
https://fglrc.gomoearlycarehealth.com/
Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida
Working to increase the use, quality, and accessibility of early learning in SWFL. Resources for providers, including financial assistance and training. Also resources for families, including Free VPK enrollment.
https://elcofswfl.org
Early Learning Coalition – Literacy Buddy Program
Linking volunteers and early learning providers to increase access to books and reading. Learn more:
https://elcofswfl.org/elc-literacy-buddy-program/
The Power of Pre-K Book
Fun, free book created in partnership with Future Makers Coalition, outlining the benefits of Pre-K programs, and how to enroll in free VPK in Florida. Download the book and find more resources here:
https://www.futuremakerscoalition.com/schoolready/
Sesame Street in Communities
Resources, strategies, and support for community providers and families. If you’re looking for ideas for lesson plans, resources on specific topics, professional development, or activities for your children, check their site out. Brought to SWFL through WGCU.
https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/
Vroom
Mobile app and tips by text available to support care givers of children to support socio-emotional and intellectual development during the most important early years of life. Free and accessible without extra time, money, or things.
https://www.vroom.org
Kindergarten Readiness Toolkit
A community-wide goal of Future Ready Collier is to ensure all children are Kindergarten ready. Future Ready Collier network partners compiled a resource kit to help your child be prepared for Kindergarten.
To download the toolkit, click your preferred language:
Financial Aid & Scholarships
CCPS Financial Aid
For students enrolled in Collier County Public Schools in preparation for post-high school careers and studies.
https://www.collierschools.com/financialaid
Cash for College
Sponsored by Future Ready Collier. Step-by-step videos to help families complete the FAFSA, to get free financial assistance after high school.
https://futurereadycollier.org/cash-for-college/
Champions For Learning
Various programs available to support college and career readiness including mentorships, scholarships, Take Stock in Children, and a wealth of resources to link Collier families to resources that will make a big difference to children’s futures.
https://championsforlearning.org/what-we-do/for-students-families/
FAFSA.gov
How to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), in order to apply for financial aid for college or grad school. This application may need to be completed before applying to other scholarships, so get it done first. Juniors and seniors (and their parents) in high school are the target audience for the FAFSA.
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
The Immokalee Foundation
Empowering children and young adults with career and college training, scholarships, mentorships, and much more. Specific career-building opportunities are available starting in high school. Targeting the community of Immokalee, Florida.
https://immokaleefoundation.org/
Scholarship Connector
Sponsored by the Collier Community Foundation. A one-stop shop for all SWFL scholarships available for students: elementary, middle school, high school, post-secondary training, graduate school, and adults furthering their education. Complete the process today to find a match.
https://www.swflscholarships.org
Health & Wellness
Avow
Non-profit healthcare organization that provides hospice care, non-hospice palliative care, grief and loss support for all ages. Avow Kids programs are specifically designed for children.
https://avowcares.org/avow-kids/
David Lawrence Centers
Provides life-saving and life-changing behavioral health care through education, prevention, intervention, and treatment available to all.
https://davidlawrencecenters.org/
Florida Department of Health in Collier County
Multiple resources available for public health and wellness, including immunizations, emergency preparation, nutrition services, school wellness, and even free health clinics.
http://collier.floridahealth.gov
Healthcare Network
Non-profit providing high quality health and dental care provided at clinics across the county, for residents of all economic backgrounds and abilities.
http://www.healthcareswfl.org
Literacy Support
Books for Collier Kids
Providing books to children in need and increasing access to books across Collier County.
https://booksforcollierkids.org/
Collier County Public Library
Kids and teens programs available including story time, events, online workshops, and even homework help!
https://www.collierlibrary.org/kids-teens/
Florida Grade Level Reading Campaign
State-wide initiative focusing on three key solutions to support all children reading at grade level by third grade: Attendance, School Readiness, and Summer Learning. Tools and resources available.
https://floridaglr.net/solutions/
New Worlds Reading Initiative
Free Florida literacy program targeting K-5 students not yet at their grade level reading ability. Based on your child’s interest, age, and ability, free books are sent by mail on a monthly basis to build a home library and encourage a love of reading. Parents must register their own children to participate. State-wide initiative implemented locally through CCPS.
https://www.newworldsreading.com/fl/en/home.html
Room to Read
International literacy and education non-profit initiating a pilot program in SWFL to include training and education, and book distribution of Room to Read’s Peace & Equality Collection, and additional multilingual and multicultural books. Room to Read’s library is available at: https://literacycloud.org/
Find out more: https://www.roomtoread.org/literacy-girls-education/
United Way: Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Book gifting program that sends free, high quality books by mail to children from birth to five. Currently available for residents in 34116 zip code, but waitlist is available for those outside this area.
https://unitedwayofcolliercounty.org/programs/dpil/
Early Literacy Booklist
Through the Future Ready Collier Early Learning Workgroup, literacy and program leaders in our community developed a list of recommended books for children ages 0-5.
This list was developed to address significant gaps in resources and provide support in literacy for our community’s youngest learners. Now Available in three languages!
To download the book list, click your preferred language:
