Agenda 01/27/2026 Item #16D 2 (Extension of Tanya Williams, Collier County Library Director, as the Board’s representative to the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC of SWFL)1/27/2026
Item # 16.D.2
ID# 2025-5181
Executive Summary
Recommendation to approve an extension of Tanya Williams, Collier County Library Director, as the Board’s
representative to the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC of SWFL), amending the term to January 1,
2022, through December 31, 2029.
OBJECTIVE: Approve an extension of Tanya Williams, Collier County Library Director, to the ELC of SWFL Board
as the representative of the Collier County Board of County Commissioners.
CONSIDERATIONS: The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC of SWFL) is one of thirty such
organizations that administers the statewide Voluntary Prekindergarten and School Readiness programs. Per Florida
Statute 1002.83, one of the members of the board is required to be appointed by a board of county commissioners or
governing board of a municipality. This seat rotates throughout the service delivery area that encompasses multiple
counties through a multi-county coalition (Hendry, Lee, Glades, and Collier counties). Tanya Williams, Library
Director, was appointed by the Board on December 14, 2021 (Agenda Item 16.H.1). In a letter received December 4,
2025, the ELC of SWFL requested a term extension of the Collier County appointment to the Board of Directors.
Service on this board requires a commitment to attend up to six (6) scheduled board meetings each year, and to serve on
one of the board’s committees. Committees typically meet five (5) to six (6) times each year. Attendance for both the
board and committees can be done virtually. The meeting schedule and information about the board and its activities
can be found at www.ELCofSWFL.org.
Representation on the ELC Board helps meet the County’s strategic objective of Quality of Place supporting access to
health, wellness, and human services to benefit the preschool children of Collier County.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this executive summary.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated with this executive
summary.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to form and
legality and requires a majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION(S): Recommendation to approve an extension of Tanya Williams, Collier County Library
Director, as the Board’s representative to the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC of SWFL), amending
the term to January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2029.
PREPARED BY: Tanya Williams, Division Director-Library
ATTACHMENTS:
1. CollierBOCC_Request for Appointment
2. Agenda 12_14_2021 Item #16H 1 (Appointing Tanya Williams to the Board of Early Learing Coalition of SW FL)
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2675 Winkler Avenue, Suite 300
Ft. Myers, Florida 33901
PHONE (239) 935-6100
FAX (239) 935-6181
WEB ELCOFSWFL.ORG
Page 1 of 1
December 4, 2025
Amy Patterson
Collier County Manager
Collier County Government
3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 202
Naples, FL 34112-5746
Dear Ms. Patterson:
I am writing regarding the Collier County appointment to the Board of Directors of the Early Learning
Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC of SWFL). As outlined in §1002.83, Florida Statutes, our governing
board includes one designated representative appointed by a Board of County Commissioners within our
four-county service region. That seat rotated to Collier County beginning January 1, 2022, for a term
scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2025.
The Coalition respectfully requests an extension of Collier County’s appointment to allow the current
representative to continue serving in the next term. Continuity in this seat is especially valuable as we
move into a new strategic planning cycle, implement several major state-funded initiatives, and continue
strengthening regional coordination across early learning, family support, and workforce development
efforts.
Service on the ELC Board includes participation in up to six scheduled board meetings each year and
involvement in at least one of our standing committees, which typically meet 5–6 times annually. All
meetings offer a virtual participation option. Additional information about our board, activities, and
meeting calendar can be found on our website. I am happy to provide any further details at your
convenience.
To support an uninterrupted transition into the new term, we kindly ask that Collier County confirm the
extension of its appointed representative at your earliest opportunity.
Thank you for your attention and continued partnership. We value Collier County’s leadership in
strengthening early learning opportunities for children and families across Southwest Florida.
Sincerely,
Melanie M. Stefanowicz, Ed.D.
Chief Executive Officer
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12/14/2021
16.H.1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to appoint Tanya Williams, Collier County Library Director, as a member to the
Board of the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC of SWFL) with an effective term
from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2025 to be the Boards representative.
OBJECTIVE: Appoint a representative to the ELC of SWFL board to represent the Collier County
Board of County Commissioners.
CONSIDERATIONS: The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC of SWFL) is one of
thirty such organizations that administers the statewide Voluntary Prekindergarten and School Readiness
programs. Per Florida Statute 1002.83, one of the members of the board is required to be appointed by a
board of county commissioners or governing board of a municipality. This seat rotates throughout the
service delivery area that encompasses multiple Counties through a multi county coalition (Hendry, Lee,
Glades, and Collier counties). In a letter received December 3, 2021, the ELC of SWFL informed Collier
County that the board of county commissioners representative position rotates to Collier County in
January 2022.
Service on this board means a commitment to attend six scheduled board meetings each year, and to
server on one of the board's committees. Committees typically meet five to six times each year.
Attendance for both the board and committees can be done virtually. The meeting schedule and
information about the board and its activities can be found at www.ELCofSWFL.ora
hqp://www.ELCofSWFL.ora>. In its letter to the County, the ELC of SWFL is requesting the name of
the Boards representative by December 16, 2021 to assure that the seat is filled ahead of the new calendar
year.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this executive summary.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There are no growth management impact associated with this
executive summary.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County attorney, is approved as to
form and legality and requires majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation to appoint Tanya Williams, Collier County Library
Director, as a member to the Board of the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC of SWFL)
with an effective term from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2025 to be the Boards representative.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Early Learning Coalition of SWFL letter(PDF)
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16.H.1
12/14/2021
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.H.1
Doc ID: 20754
Item Summary: Recommendation to appoint Tanya Williams, Collier County Library Director, as
a member to the Board of the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC of SWFL) with an
effective term from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2025 to be the Boards representative.
Meeting Date: 12/14/2021
Prepared by:
Title: Sr. Operations Analyst — County Manager's Office
Name: Geoffrey Willig
12/07/2021 11:53 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Division Director - Corp Fin & Mgmt Svc — County Manager's Office
Name: Mark Isackson
12/07/2021 11:53 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Office of Management and Budget
Office of Management and Budget
County Attorney's Office
County Manager's Office
Board of County Commissioners
Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review
Geoffrey Willig Additional Reviewer
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review
Mark Isackson Level 4 County Manager Review
Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending
Completed 12/07/2021 12:10 PM
Skipped 12/07/2021 1:37 PM
Completed 12/08/2021 11:43 AM
Completed 12/08/2021 1:09 PM
12/14/2021 9:00 AM
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16.H.1.a
EARLY LEARNWG COALITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
2675 Winldet, Aventte, Suite 300
Ft. Myet•s, Floiida 33901
EARLY LEARNING
Telephone: 239-935-6100 • Facsimile: 239-935-6181
COALITION
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December 2, 2021
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Mr. Mark Isackson, County Manager Q.
3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 202 cQo
Naples, FL 34112-5746
Dear Mr. Isackson:
Below is a copy of the letter sent to your office in August with this request. I understand that you were temporarily out of the
office, and I hope that you are now doing well. I would appreciate your attention to my request below as soon as possible,
Thank you l
The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida (ELC of SWFL) is one of thirty such organizations who administer the
statewide Voluntary Prekindergarten and School Readiness programs. According to Florida Statute,1002.83, which defines the
governance of our organization, one of the required members of our board is appointed by a board ofcounty commissioners or
the governing board of a municipality. In a multi county coalition, (we serve Hendry, Lee, Glades and Collier Counties), this
member seat rotates throughout the service delivery area. In January 2022, the BOCC position rotates to Collier County, and I
am writing to request action by the BOCC to appoint a representative,
Service on the ELC of SWFL Board means a commitment to attend at the six scheduled board meetings each year, and to serve
on one of the board's committees, Committees typically meet 5-6 times each year. Members may attend both board and
committee meetings virtually. The meeting schedule and information about the board and its activities can be found on our
website at www.ELCofSWFL.org. I am happy to discuss this request to provide more detailed information,
Effective January 1, 2022, the appointment for this seat moves to Collier County for a term that concludes on December 31,
2025, To assure that the seat is known as of the beginning of the new calendar year, kindly provide the name of the individual
who can meet with the obligations of our board as a representative of the Collier County Board of Commissioners by December
16, 2021.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter,
Sincerely)yours,
cS san E. Block, Ed.M.
Chief Executive Officer
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