Children's Services Council recognizes that local, state and federal resources contribute to the well being of children and families in Palm Beach County. We advocate and partner to bring about needed changes to policies and promote adequate resources at all levels to address the needs of children and families in Palm Beach County, the state and the nation. We also monitor legislative activities impacting children and families. We are interested in further promoting and developing our investment in primary prevention and early intervention. We hope policymakers, service provider agencies, community leaders and organizations, families and the general public will find this information assists in their education and advocacy efforts for children and families.

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2010 Legislative Priorities

Position Florida for Federal Funds

Significant federal funds for home visiting, early learning and various early childhood initiatives are available or being debated in Congress. Florida should position itself to take advantage of all federal funds for early childhood programs and system development by providing resources to conduct planning processes, make application, and provide required matching and maintenance of effort funds. Florida’s poor standing in the receipt of federal funds and the benefit of the funds to our economy make it essential to be ready to apply.

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Find Revenue Solutions - Protect Current Levels of Funding for Early Childhood Programs

Reductions have already been proposed by agencies in response to the Governor’s request. In 2009 stimulus funds prevented cuts to essential programs for our young children however stimulus funds phase out by the 2010/2011 year. Eliminate inappropriate sales tax exemptions and identify possible revenue to support children and other vulnerable populations in the state. Identify all federal dollars for children and families that Florida “leaves on the table.”Fund and maintain essential services for children and assure federal dollars are not lost due to general revenue cuts. Require an update on revenue maximization efforts by state agencies.

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Ensure Accountability - Fund Programs and Services Based on Evidence and Research
 
Support data systems, evaluations, research and evidenced based programs to guide the selection and funding of state and local programs that achieve outcomes for identified target populations. Assess current programs on a scale of effectiveness, raise effectiveness and ensure accountability.

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SUPPORT AN EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM OF CARE

1. Establish an Advisory Council on Early Childhood
Support Florida’s application to the federal government for an Advisory Council on Early Childhood. Assure Florida’s Advisory Council on Early Childhood will represent and integrate all state and local early childhood systems.

2. Fund Access to Quality Early Care and Education for All Eligible Children

The Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) reports a shortfall of $37 million for children in child care and $55.8 million in PreK due to the use of stimulus funds to replace nonrecurring funds in the 2009/2010 budget.

In addition, in response to the Governor’s budget instructions, AWI has proposed a $55.6 million reduction in funding for child care for working poor and a $35.1 million reduction in Pre-k; a drop per child from $2575 to $1942.

Early Care and Education System Refinement- Support the development of a coordinated statewide professional development system. Support the use of evidence based curriculums, pre-and post-tests, and universal screenings and assessments in all early childhood programs. Require background checks for all child care employees prior to employment. Position Florida to address all
of the components identified in proposed early learning challenge grants. Authorize AWI as the responsible state level entity for early care and education.

Quality Child Care – Fund quality childcare for children from working poor families. This program includes matching federal funds.
Pre-kindergarten – Maintain a quality pre-kindergarten program for 4-year olds.
Early Steps - Fund critical early intervention for young children ages birth to three.  This program includes matching federal funds.

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3. Support a Statewide System of Evidence and Research-Based Programs to Improve Birth Outcomes, Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect and Improve School Readiness

Position Florida for federal home visiting program funds. Support a statewide system of evidenced based and research based home visiting programs in which local communities can select programs that achieve outcomes for target populations such as Nurse Family Partnership, Parent Child Home, Healthy Families, and others that help children be ready for school, healthy and free from abuse. Maintain funding with increased rigorous evaluation of home visiting.

In response to the Governor’s budget instructions, the Department of Health has proposed a $6.4 million reduction in funding for Healthy Start and the Agency for Health Care Administration has proposed reducing Medicaid coverage for pregnant women from 185% of federal poverty level to 150% of federal poverty level.

Healthy Start -Fund and support development of data-driven, research based programs and strategies for pregnant women, mothers and newborns. This program includes matching federal funds.

Healthy Families –Fund the Healthy Families Florida program and continue to add to evaluation research about the program.

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SUPPORT THE SAFETY OF SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN

Afterschool Funding – Assure funds for afterschool programs are maintained and distributed statewide. Ensure that funding formulas and policies do not discourage Early Learning Coalitions from serving school age children. 

Summer Camp Personnel - Implement fingerprinting screening checks for staff in overnight and full day summer camp programs to assure our children are safe.

Child Booster Seats -Support a mandatory requirement that an approved child restraint device be used for children ages 4-8 while riding in motor vehicles.

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Partnerships

We join local, state and federal partners in our funded system areas with a focus on primary prevention and early intervention. This includes a joint set of priorities developed with the Healthy Start Coalition of Palm Beach County and the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County. We also work with other local partners including The Education Commission, Palm Beach County, the Child Advocacy Board, The Palm Beach County League of Cities and the School District of Palm Beach County as well as our funded providers. We develop a joint agenda with the Florida Children's Services Councils to advocate on behalf of CSC priorities across the state.  Other state partners include the Policy Group for Children and Families, the Children’s Campaign, and The Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions.