The Florida Center for Early Childhood Earns COA Accreditations

The recognition highlights the organization’s commitment to best practices in early childhood care and behavioral health services.

(August 15, 2025) The Florida Center for Early Childhood has earned national accreditation from COA Accreditation, a service of Social Current, recognizing the organization’s commitment to best practices in early childhood care and behavioral health services.

With a legacy spanning more than four decades, The Florida Center has provided developmental therapies, mental health counseling, early education, and family support to young children and their families across Sarasota and Manatee counties and beyond. Achieving this accreditation affirms the organization’s adherence to nationally recognized standards in service delivery, governance, and administration.

“Accreditation isn’t just a credential; it’s a reflection of how seriously we take our responsibility to children and families,” says Dr. Kristie Skoglund, CEO of The Florida Center. “Every service we provide is grounded in compassion, science, and the belief that early support changes everything. This rigorous review process evaluated every aspect of our operations—from governance to care delivery—and affirms the integrity and impact of our work.”

Skoglund explains the accreditation process involved a thorough review of The Florida Center’s operations, including interviews with staff, clients, and board members, and an evaluation of how services are delivered and managed.

Social Current’s COA Accreditation ensures that agencies like The Florida Center meet rigorous standards for evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally competent care. Accreditation also establishes a foundation for continuous improvement, accountability, and sustainability.

“We’re deeply grateful to our staff, volunteers, donors, and partners. This recognition is a testament to their dedication and belief in our mission,” adds Skoglund. “Their commitment is what makes this work possible and what drives us to keep reaching higher.”

Photo captions:

• Linda Tobiassen, M.A., LMHC, an early childhood mental health consultant at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, works one-on-one with a young student to build social-emotional skills.
• A Starfish Academy teacher at The Florida Center for Early Childhood leads a morning circle time, fostering connection, communication, and school readiness among preschoolers.

About COA Accreditation

COA Accreditation, a service of Social Current, is an independent, not-for-profit accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada. Over 2,000 organizations — voluntary, public, and proprietary; local and statewide; large and small — have either successfully achieved accreditation or are currently engaged in the process. To learn more about COA Accreditation, visit www.social-current.org.COA Accreditation, a service of Social Current, is an independent, not-for-profit accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and social service organizations in the United States and Canada. Over 2,000 organizations — voluntary, public, and proprietary; local and statewide; large and small — have either successfully achieved accreditation or are currently engaged in the process. To learn more about COA Accreditation, visit www.social-current.org.

About The Florida Center for Early Childhood

For more than 45 years, The Florida Center for Early Childhood has been the leading provider of therapeutic services, early education, and healthy development for young children in southwest Florida, offering a seamless delivery of services for the whole child and their family. Today, the agency is nationally recognized for its early childhood expertise in various specialties. The Florida Center provides developmental therapies, mental health counseling, Starfish Academy preschool, the Healthy Families home-visiting program, and the state’s only Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Clinic, with locations in Sarasota, Orlando and Pensacola.