Bosses for Babies

How This Boss Makes an Impact for Children in Florida

Renee and the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) understand the importance of family-friendly policies. They strive for opportunities that coincide with and allow for a better work-life balance and family time, and work extremely hard to foster a happy work environment that considers the needs of team members when making decisions. This has resulted in a 91% employee satisfaction rate, alongside low turnover and high longevity and stability for ELC team members.

The ELC offers a rich benefits package to all employees that prioritizes keeping health insurance costs as low as possible for employees and their children. It also includes wellness events and incentives to help staff members and their families stay healthy and happy, in addition to a generous amount of PTO.

Staff in many departments are also offered the opportunity to work remotely or hybrid, allowing for more time with family and less time (and money) on commuting.

Outside of employee benefits, the ELC provides services, support, and resources to parents of young children, including childcare for eligible families and preschool (VPK) vouchers so parents can work or go to school to support their families. The ELC’s philosophy is to give grade-A customer service and go above and beyond to assist families, whether that be helping a parent with eligibility paperwork, answering questions, or providing resources. They also provide a quarterly Parent (and Staff) Newsletter than includes free and low-cost services and events, resources, and developmental information to supply parents with additional opportunities that support them and their children. 

Bio

Renee Jaffe has been the Chief Executive Officer at the Early Learning Coalition of Broward County since 2016.  For over twenty years, Renee has successfully led large and complex non-profit and government-run early learning-related organizations, including the City of New York’s Administration for Children’s Services/ Office of Child Care, where she was an Associate Commissioner for Child Care Operations until 2015.  

Renee is passionate about the importance of early learning and the huge impact it has on the lives of so many young children and is thankful to head such an amazing organization with so many incredibly hard-working individuals who strive to help and support the early learning community, as well as thousands of parents and their young children.  Renee strongly believes that high staff morale is a must and has been the recipient of the Sun Sentinel’s South Florida Top Workplace for three years.

Renee earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and her Master's degree in Clinical Social Work from New York University School.

While Renee is not originally from South Florida, she loves the collaborative spirit that exists in Broward, and she is thankful for so many wonderful community partners who share her vision of ensuring all children have access to vital resources, services, and support that will allow them to be successful from birth and beyond.  Renee currently lives in Delray Beach with her husband and two children.