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Despite outstanding testimony from CSC supporters who
spoke about the damaging effects of CS/SB 1216
by Sen. Joe Negron, the Senate Committee on Finance and Tax passed the
CSC bill on a 3-2 vote, along party lines. Sens. Charlie Justice
(D-PInellas) and Jeremy Ring (D-Broward) were the two "no"
votes.
Florida CSC CEO Vivian Alarcon testified that the bill's
requirement for automatic referendum every six years would force CSCs
into the campaign business rather than focusing on what voters
originally intended - to make children the priority over politics. She
pointed out that current CSC law already provides a safety valve for
counties that believe their CSC needs reconsideration. However, in more
than 60 years, no community has ever felt it necessary to use this
option because of the very strong track record of the councils.
Kirk Brown of HANDY, Inc., in Broward County, asked
committee members to consider that private campaign fundraising by CSCs
would become routine and would siphon philanthropic dollars for
political purposes rather than being given to his agency or others to
serve children.
Amy Simpson, Executive Director of Boys Town South Florida,
spoke to the importance of stable funding sources. She said that even
non-profit agencies make capital and personnel decisions to support
high-quality systems based on stable financial potential. In the case
of her program, which employs 70 people, Boys Town made a location
decision influenced greatly by the presence of the CSC of Palm Beach
County because of its stable presence in the community and its
commitment to strategic investments and systems building.
Despite the presentations, the bill passed with no
debate. CS/SB 1216 was later placed on the agenda in its final Senate
committee, Health and Human Services Appropriations, which is scheduled
to meet April 19 at 10:30 a.m. Even though the House version (PCB/HB
1227) died in committee last week, the Senate sponsor has vowed to get
his billed passed this session. CSC supporters should remain on high
alert, and continue reaching out to local legislators and leadership to
educate them on the harmful effects of this bad bill.
Special Thanks
Thanks to the CSC
supporters who attended Tuesday's hearing to voice their opposition to
the bill. The list includes: Members of The Children's Trust Youth
Advisory Committee; Amy Simpson, Executive Director, Boys Town South
Florida; Kirk Brown, Director of Programs, HANDY; Brandon Wagner,
Hillsborough County Lobbyist; and Karen Woodall, Coordinator, Coalition
for Fair and Comprehensive Tax Reform.Also, a huge thank you goes to
the many advocates and members of local communities who continue to
demonstrate their support for CSCs and Florida's children.
IMMEDIATE CALL TO ACTION: Contact members of the Senate Health and
Human Services Appropriations Committee and ask them to vote "no" on CS/SB 1216
on Monday. Also, contact House Speaker Larry Cretul and Senate
President Jeff Atwater and urge them to put a stop to this bill that
jeopardizes long-term, strategic investments in Florida's children,
especially when the state is already struggling to fund programs for
children.
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Budget Negotiations Delayed
Official negotiations on the state budget did not begin
this week as expected. The legislature found itself highly distracted
by the Teacher Merit Pay bill (SB 6), Medicaid Reform, and the Gaming
Compact. Additionally, the disappointing reality is setting in that
Congress will not act quickly enough for the Florida Senate to advance
it's version of the budget that relies on $800 million in new federal
dollars for Medicaid. The House
budget does not use FMAP dollars. Absent FMAP dollars, the current
proposed budgets for health and human service programs are likely to
change. Advocates are urged to keep a watchful eye on key programs over
the next two weeks. Of particular interest are Healthy Families and
VPK. The Senate's entire budget for Healthy Families uses FMAP dollars
($27.4 million). For VPK, the Senate used more than $19 million in
FMAP. Even with FMAP money, the Senate budget represents a nearly 10
percent cut to VPK. House and Senate leaders announced today that an
organizational budget conference will be held Saturday morning at 10
a.m. to be followed by the first meetings of individual conference
committees over the weekend. Highlighted below are some of the priority
budget items Florida CSC continues to monitor.
> See House Budget
Conference Information
> See Senate Budget
Conference Information
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PROPOSED
CHANGES (+/-) COMPARED TO 2009-10 BUDGET AS OF 4/2/10
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ISSUE
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HOUSE
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SENATE
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COMMENT
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VPK
(Non-admin.)
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+ $35.5 M
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+
$2.8 M
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Despite
increase over last year, the Senate budget represents a nearly 10%
cut in VPK. The House has a 1% cut. Click here for
details.
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Healthy
Start Coalitions
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- $4 M
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$0
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House
proposes eliminating Healthy Start Coalitions and transferring
service dollars to County Health Departments. See Call to Action
below.
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Independent
Living
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$0
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$0
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Legislative
staff say base budget is covered. House conforming bill cuts monthly
stipend to $675, nearly half of what it was.
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Maintenance
Adoption Subsidies
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- $1.8 M
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- $920 K
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Juvenile
Assessment Centers
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- $1 M
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$ 0
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Learn more
about JACs
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CALLS TO ACTION: Contact main budget chairs, Sen. JD Alexander and Rep.
David Rivera on all of these issues.
VPK
- Contact members of the Senate Education
PreK-12 Appropriations Committee and urge them to take the House position
on VPK. Also contact Budget Conferees for Pre-K-12/Education Pre-K -12.
Budget
Conference - Pre-K-12/Education Pre-K - 12
House Members:Flores
(Chair); Bullard, D., Clarke-Reed, Coley, Fresen, Kiar, Legg, Stargel
Senate Members:Wise (Chair); Bullard, Detert, Garcia, Richter,
Siplin
Healthy
Start --Contact House leadership (Speaker Cretul), Full
Appropriations Chair Rep. Rivera, and the Chair of the Health Care
Appropriations Committee (Rep. Grimsley) to restore funding for Healthy Start Coalitions
during conference negotiations. Also contact Budget Conferees for
Health Care/Health and Human Services.
Budget
Conference - Health Care/Health & Human Services
House Members:Grimsley
(Chair); Chestnut, Ford, Frishe, Hudson, Roberson, Y., Skidmore,
Thompson, N.
Senate Members:Peaden (Chair); Gaetz, Haridopolos, Negron, Rich,
Sobel
Independent
Living - Urge Reps. Rivera and Grimsley to restore funding for
the monthly stipend.
Also contact
Budget Conferees for Health Care/Health and Human Services.
Budget
Conference - Health Care/Health & Human Services
House Members:Grimsley (Chair); Chestnut, Ford, Frishe, Hudson,
Roberson, Y., Skidmore, Thompson, N.
Senate Members:Peaden (Chair); Gaetz, Haridopolos, Negron, Rich,
Sobel
JACs
- Contact House members and urge them to restore $1 million in JAC
funding. Also contact Budget Conferees for Criminal & Civil
Justice.
Budget Conference -
Criminal & Civil Justice/Criminal & Civil Justice
House Members:Adams (Chair); Eisnaugle, Holder, Kreegel, Porth,
Rouson, Soto, Tobia
Senate Members:Crist (Chair); Jones, Joyner, Villalobos, Wilson
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Children's Week Provides Inspiration
in Tough Session
Week seven of the legislative session provided a big boost
to weary child advocates as they were joined in the work by hundreds of
children, teachers, parents and others during Children's Week. From the
"Hanging of the Hands" on Sunday, to the recognition of
innovative community programs that included two supported by their CSC,
to the Kids Only Town Hall meeting with the Children's Cabinet, the
event brought energy and purpose to the Capitol during a critical time
in the process.
The Kids Only Town Hall on Tuesday featured a panel of
youth who addressed and questioned members of the Governor's Children
& Youth Cabinet. As has become the custom, the youngsters were well
prepared and undaunted in questioning the high ranking officials about
Florida's flagging commitment to children as reflected in the state's
budget and policy.
 Children from all over Florida also walked the halls and
met with legislators about their concerns. A particularly effective young
advocate, Michelle Ruiz representing The Children's Trust Youth
Advisory Committee, passionately pleaded with Governor Crist to veto SB
6 (Teacher Merit Pay). The 17-year-old student, who helped to organize
the "sickout" by Miami-Dade teachers and students on Monday,
spoke to the Governor for a full five minutes and urged him to veto the
teacher pay and tenure bill. Gov. Crist vetoed the controversial
education reform measure on Thursday.
 Two other young advocates involved with the Broward CSC
were in town this week to meet with legislators, but also to work as
legislative pages for Rep. Ari Porth - JaQuan Smith and Shaquille
Gayle. During their week-long visit, Smith and Gayle made a stop at the
Florida CSC office where they shared their aspirations for the future.
Smith was so inspired by his time in the capitol city that he wrote an
essay that he shared with the group. Read Smith's essay here.
Congratulations to
Dick Batchelor, recipient of the 2010 Chiles Advocacy Award, who was
recognized at the annual advocacy dinner on Monday. The Chiles Advocacy
Award, in honor of Lawton and Rhea Chiles' dedication to Florida's
children and families, is presented annually to a Floridian who has
dedicated his or her life to improving the lives of children by
successfully promoting policies and programs that benefit those
children and families.
And, a final note
of "job well done" to Jason Zaborske, President of Capital
Events, Inc., Ted Granger of the United Way of Florida, and the
hundreds of volunteers who created a fabulous platform to showcase the
state's most precious resource, it's children.
CSCs
Recognized in Inaugural Community Innovation Awards Event
On Monday,
Children's Week organizers hosted the inaugural Community Innovation
Awards together with the Lawton Chiles Foundation. The Awards recognize
communities that are pursuing systemic change by collaboratively
endeavoring to mesh programs and funding to address critical issues
facing children and families. Awards were presented to four local
programs, including two that are supported by their CSC - Quality
Counts in Palm Beach County and Kinship Service Network in Pinellas
County. The other two programs recognized were Healthy Jacksonville
Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition in Duval County and the Arnold Palmer
Hospital for Children Teen Xpress Program in Orange County.
Quality Counts, a
quality rating improvement system, is a voluntary early care and
education system that enhances child care so children are ready to
learn when they enter kindergarten. More than 150 programs serving
upwards of 12,000 county children participate in Quality Counts.
Kinship Service Network provides a coordinated network of services for
relative caregiver families to achieve self-sufficiency and stability.
The network comprises 33 social service organizations, government
agencies, funders and local businesses to create a family-driven,
community-based system of support for relative caregivers.
Congratulations to CSC of Palm Beach and JWB-CSC of Pinellas.
Medicaid
Reform
This week, the
full House of Representatives passed two bills that bring about a
sweeping overhaul of Florida's Medicaid program. The bills, HB 7223
and HB 7225,
divide the state into six regions and move all Medicaid recipients into
managed care entities (health maintenance organizations and provider
service networks) by 2015. Children's Medical Services will be held
harmless. In addition, members debating the bill on the floor yesterday
indicated the Florida KidCare program will not see significant changes
under the plan. Citizens eligible for the Medically Needy program will
all be required to receive care administered by a managed care entity.
The House plan begins the transition to statewide managed care this
summer by expanding the existing reform pilot structure in Broward and
Duval counties into Miami-Dade.
The Senate version
of Medicaid Reform, CS/CS/SB 1484,
passed the full Senate before Passover break. The Senate bill expands the existing
reform pilot to 19 additional counties with two or more managed care
companies and the capacity to care for eligible Medicaid patients.
Additional language was included in the Senate appropriations bill to
authorize Medicaid recipients to use vouchers to buy private insurance.
Although many
advocates feel the House proposal, which contains some good provisions
for provider service networks and medical homes is preferable to a
wholesale managed care model, some child advocates continue to express
concerns over certain populations such as pregnant women, chronically
ill children and those in the child welfare system.
At this time, it
is unclear whether a conference committee will be convened to
deliberate on Medicaid reform legislation. Florida CSC policy
consultants believe that the house bill's statewide managed care
regional approach may be appealing to the Senate, and, as such, the two
chambers may work from the House bill and chamber amendatory process.
Collier
County Commission Endorses Local CSC Bill
Collier County
commissioners on Tuesday voted 3-2 to send a letter to state
legislators supporting a local bill (SB 1162)
that would pave the way to create a children's service trust in Collier
County. The bill would create a mechanism for Collier County voters to
create a trust through an independent taxing district. The trust would
be similar to the children's services council allowed by Florida law
and, if created, would bring millions of dollars annually to children's
services in Collier County. Read full article
online.
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ELC Bill Headed to
Senate Floor
The Early Learning Bill (SB
2014 C2), as amended, by
Sen. Stephen Wise (R-Duval) includes provisions to clean up obsolete
statute references, clarify state-level authority, increase
collaboration across state agencies, and ensure flexibility to meet
federal requirements. The bill has been placed on the calendar on
second reading. The House companion (HB 1203)
by Rep. Bryan Nelson (R-Orange)
has passed through one
committee stop favorably.
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SJR
2420 by Sen. Mike Haridopolos (R-Brevard), also known as
TABOR, remains in the Finance & Tax committee. The bill
proposes an amendment to the state constitution to limit tax revenues
and, if passed by the electorate, would require voter approval of new
taxes and fees. The bill no longer includes local governments under the
spending cap, so it would apply only to state revenues. The bill needs
a three-fifths vote from both the House and Senate to get on this
fall's ballot.
Assessment Limits for Non-Homestead Property, Additional
Exemptions for New Homeowners
SJR
1254 by Mike Fasano (R-Pasco) has not moved since late
March. The resolution proposes amendments to the State Constitution to
reduce from 10 percent to 5 percent the limitation on annual assessment
increases applicable to non-homestead real property, provide an
additional homestead exemption for new owners of homestead property and
application and limitations with respect thereto. Similar Bill, HB 655 by Carl Domino (R- Palm Beach), is in
the Rules and Calendar Council.
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Transition
Services for Youth
SB 1356 by Sen. Stephen Wise
(R-Duval) was placed on the calendar on second reading in the
Senate. The bill permits the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)
to provide transition to adulthood services to youth in DJJ's custody
or supervision. DJJ has signaled its willingness to accept what has
been referred to as the "Adams Amendment," which would give a
judge the authority to commit a child to the Department of Juvenile
Justice, but also determine the restrictiveness level, thereby
impacting the child's placement. Critics warn that this provision
opens the door down the road for providers to directly and indirectly
lobby judges in an attempt to increase placements in their programs.
Background Screenings
HB 7069 by
the Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council along with Rep. Snyder
(R-Martin) and Rep. Ari Porth (D- Broward) is still in Senate messages.
The bill prevents individuals from working with children, disabled
adults or adults over 65 until they pass a background screening. It
also prevents those classified as sexual predators from ever being able
to work with vulnerable individuals.
Concurrent
Custody
SB 334
by Sen. Ronda Storms (R-Hillsborough) was placed on calendar for second
reading. Companion bill, HB 25 by
Rep. Rich Glorioso (R-Hillsborough), has been placed on Special Order
Calendar for April 19.
CALL TO ACTION: Please urge passage of these bills, which provide a
legal remedy for extended family caregivers to obtain needed services
for children in their care.
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Juvenile Justice Blueprint Bill
CS/SB 1072 by Sen. Stephen Wise (R-Duval) has been placed on
the calendar for second reading. A similar bill in the House, HB 7181 by Rep. Kevin Ambler (R-Hillsborough), has also
been placed on the calendar for second reading. The bill makes a number
of changes to juvenile justice laws in an effort to enhance services
for youth in the Juvenile Justice system. The bill encourages the
diversion of youth nine years of age or younger who are found by a
court to pose no danger to the community and are unlikely to recidivate
back into supervision; expands the definition of "child in need of
services" and "family in need to services" to allow
those youth to be served by the CINS/FINS network; promotes the use of
restorative justice practices to support victims of juvenile
delinquency; adds counties, municipalities, and the Department of
Juvenile Justice to the specified entities that are encouraged to
create pre-arrest or post-arrest diversion programs for youth nine
years of age or younger and youth who are first time misdemeanants;
prohibits a youth nine years of age or younger from being placed in
secure detention unless the youth has been charged with a capital
felony, a life felony, or a felony of the first degree; and requires
the DJJ to create the Disproportionate Minority Contact Task Force as a
way to address minority over-representation in the Juvenile Justice system.
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Booster Seat Bill
SB 316 by Sen. Thad Altman (R-Brevard) was
read a second time by the full Senate. It would require booster
seats, in addition to seat belts, for children aged 4 through 7 and
less than 4'9" to protect the child by properly using a crash
tested, federally approved child restraint device. It also provides
certain exceptions, and redefines the term "motor vehicle" to
exclude certain vehicles from such requirements. Sadly, the House bill
(HB 387) has not moved.
CALL TO ACTION: With the Senate bill progressing, the holdup is in the
House. Contact Speaker Cretul and Reps. Cannon and Murzin to encourage
them to take up the Senate bill.
Bill
to Create Collier County CSC Passes House Committee
HB 511
by Rep. Matt Hudson (R-Collier) passed unanimously through the Economic
Development & Community Affairs Policy Council today, its last
committee. The bill provides a
charter to create an independent special district to provide children's
services in Collier County. The Senate companion, SB 1162, has not been
heard in committee.
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TAKE
NOTE
Early
Learning Listening Tours
Over the next two months,
the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services
(HHS) will hold a series of Listening and Learning About Early Learning
meetings with one stop in Orlando on May 4, which will focus on family
engagement. The meetings will focus on topics related to early learning
(birth through 3rd Grade): Understanding Preschool - Grade 3 Structures,
Workforce and Professional Development, Family Engagement, and Standards
and Assessments. The meetings will be led by Secretary Duncan's senior
advisor on early learning, Jacqueline Jones, and HHS's Deputy Assistant
Secretary and Inter-Departmental Liaison for Early Childhood Development
at the Administration for Children and Families, Joan Lombardi. The
meetings will help inform the work of ED and HHS around early learning. Learn more.
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Capitol
Connection is also available online at the FCSC web site.
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