New cross-county initiative will bring traveling exhibits and research-based programming to more than 200,000 families
LAKELAND, FL — April 14, 2026 — Florida Children’s Museum (FCM) has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the GiveWell Community Foundation through the Mabel Schaefer Grant to launch the Cross-County Early Childhood Initiative, a collaborative effort with the Children’s Museum of the Highlands (CMoH) to expand access to high-quality early learning experiences for young children and families.
The initiative will develop and deploy a series of rotating, hands-on traveling exhibits paired with educational programming designed to strengthen parent-child engagement and support critical developmental milestones in early childhood.
Over the course of a year, exhibits will be designed and tested at Florida Children’s Museum before traveling to Highlands County, bringing new learning environments to communities that often face limited access to cultural and educational resources.
“This investment allows us to extend the reach of high-quality, play-based learning beyond our walls and into neighboring communities,” said Kerry Falwell, CEO of Florida Children’s Museum. “By partnering with the Children’s Museum of the Highlands, we are ensuring that more families—regardless of geography or income—can access experiences that support early brain development and lifelong learning.”
The Cross-County Early Childhood Initiative is expected to impact more than 200,000 visitors across both counties, with a strong focus on children ages six and under—a critical period when 80% of brain development occurs.
In both Polk and Highlands counties, nearly 3 out of 10 children live in poverty, and access to high-quality early learning opportunities remains a significant challenge. This initiative directly addresses these barriers by providing engaging, research-driven experiences accessible to all families, including those not enrolled in formal preschool programs.
Leaders in Highlands County emphasize the importance of partnership in expanding access to educational resources in rural communities.
“This collaboration represents a meaningful opportunity to bring high-quality, hands-on learning experiences directly to children and families in our region,” said John Shoop, Mayor of Sebring. “We believe this initiative will have a lasting and positive impact on Highlands County.”
The Children’s Museum of the Highlands Board of Directors also voiced strong support, noting that the partnership will help bridge gaps in access to cultural and educational programming while strengthening early learning outcomes for families in the region.
In addition to expanding access, both museums will implement shared evaluation tools to measure learning outcomes, participation, and geographic reach—ensuring the initiative is both impactful and data-driven.
The program is scheduled to launch in Summer 2026 and continue through Spring 2027.
About Florida Children’s Museum
Florida Children’s Museum curates the world for all children to explore through hands-on, play-based learning experiences. Located in Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, the Museum serves more than 170,000 visitors annually on-site and reaches an additional 75,000 through community outreach programs.
About Children’s Museum of the Highlands
The Children’s Museum of the Highlands, located in downtown Sebring, provides interactive, developmentally appropriate exhibits and programs that support cognitive, social, and emotional growth for children ages 1–12 through learning and play.
Media Contact
Morgan Hopper
Community Relations Manager
Florida Children’s Museum
863-687-3869
