Blogs

This past Saturday, families from across Jacksonville came together for a one-of-a-kind literacy adventure at the Wild Reading Safari, hosted by ECS4Kids in partnership with the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. The zoo was a little rainy, but buzzing with excitement, storytelling, music, movement, and meaningful connections—all designed to spark a love of reading and support […]

Dr. Natalya Bannister Roby and Lauren Weedon Hopkins Talk Wine Women & Shoes 2024 ECS4Kids CEO Dr. Roby and Chief Development Officer Lauren Weedon Hopkins talk with First Coast Living host Jordan Wilkerson about new beginnings at ECS4Kids and the upcoming Wine Women & Shoes Jax 2024. Newsroom

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., January 11, 2024 – Episcopal Children’s Services (ECS), a leader in early childhood education in North and Central Florida, is pleased to welcome Dr. Natalya Bannister Roby as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 16, 2024. ECS is a leader in early childhood education, serving thousands of children and their families throughout […]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 1, 2023 – Following a long career of public service and leadership, Chief Executive Officer Connie Stophel has announced her retirement from Episcopal Children’s Services (ECS), the second largest nonprofit in Northeast Florida. Connie has informed the board of trustees of her decision to retire at the end of 2023. Since 2003 […]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., February 10, 2023 – Episcopal Children’s Services (ECS) celebrated the winners of the 2022 Florida Head Start Association awards on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at the Hard Rock hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida. The luncheon was originally scheduled to take place in October of 2022, however due extenuating circumstances, the event was rescheduled.  […]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., October 18, 2022 – Episcopal Children’s Services (ECS) is honored to announce the 2022 Florida Head Start Association (FHSA) winners, a high honor recognizing the achievement and highlighting the outstanding and vital work of the Head Start and Early Head Start community. These awards acknowledge parents, volunteers, employees, alumni and community partners. Of […]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., August 30, 2022 – The newest Episcopal Children’s Services Head Start Child Care Partner (CCP) center opened their doors yesterday to the residents of Newberry, Florida. I Rise Performing Kids Academy is now enrolling for Head Start services for children and families in Southwest Alachua County. I Rise Performing Kids Academy held an […]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 8, 2022 – Episcopal Children’s Services is pleased to announce the election of Chief Administrative Officer, Temple DePlato to the Florida Head Start Association’s (FHSA) Board of Directors. DePlato was elected to fill the seat of Mary Grace Romo who was recently promoted to another position. DePlato will serve with 13 other […]

Episcopal Children’s Services has opened a new Head Start and Early Head Start center in the city of Hawthorne, Florida. Excited parents and little ones stopped by the center’s open house on Friday, April 1 for a tour of the two classroom facility. Parents also received an overview of a typical school day and all […]

ECS4Kids is thrilled to announce that it has received a generous $25,000 grant from THE PLAYERS Championship to support its Outdoor Play and Learning Project. This funding will help create a specially designed play area for infants and toddlers, fostering key developmental milestones in early childhood. The new outdoor space will be equipped to encourage […]