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Early Childhood Caucus Focuses on Investments in Children
Bipartisan group agrees the timing of the caucus is critical in today’s economic environment
Rep. Ari Porth (D-Broward) kicked off Florida’s first-ever Early Childhood Caucus meeting in Tallahassee on Tues., Nov. 3. A bipartisan group of legislators, together with agency leaders and child advocates, attended the organizational meeting to begin discussions on how Florida can make smarter, more strategic investments in young children.
Porth presented two brief videos. The first, “Why Early Investment Matters,” highlighted economist James Heckman talking about the critical need to adequately fund early childhood programs to ensure the nation’s future prosperity. The second video was a news clip of retired military officers raising early childhood investments as a national security issue, and calling for immediate action by policymakers.
Vivian Alarcon, CEO of the Florida Children’s Services Council, followed by emphasizing that even in the face of Florida’s fiscal crisis, the Legislature must maintain it’s commitments to the very young based on all that is known about the perils of not doing so. Alarcon said that child advocates have developed an outline for an “early childhood system” that could assist in identifying what a comprehensive, seamless and evidenced-based system should include. “We stand ready to work together and to work with you toward the vision.”
One of the key goal areas in the early childhood system -- Quality Early Learning Experiences -- was discussed by Director of AWI’s Office of Early Learning Brittany Birken. She noted the voter mandate passed in 2002, which created the Voluntary Pre-K program. Under the constitutional amendment passed by Floridians, the state is required to fund quality Pre-K classes for all four-year-old children in Florida.
Birken said that last fiscal year (2008-09), the VPK program served more than 156,000 children, which is approximately 67 percent of the state’s four-year-olds. Unfortunately, with continued revenue shortfalls, the state has been forced to reduce the base student allocation (BSA) for Pre-K, resulting in declining rates paid to VPK providers.
Birken also mentioned the state’s investment in School Readiness programs. Approximately 250,000 children are served by the program, she said. The program is funded at about $742 million, of which $597 million are federal dollars and $145 million is the state investment. “Not only is that investment important because of the learning opportunities it provides for children,” said Birken, “it’s an economic and workforce issue for parents who rely on the program in order to work and be economically self sufficient. We continue to see demand grow for this program.”
Dr. Alisa Ghazvini, with the Association of Early Learning Coalitions (ELC), echoed Birken’s comments on Florida’s model for early education. “The collaboration between the state’s Office of Early Learning and the ELCs at the local level helps to ensure that Florida’s school readiness dollars are invested and leveraged to best serve the unique needs of the community.”
In addition to hearing about existing programs, caucus members also heard from Sen. Nan Rich (D-Broward) about a bill that she and Rep. Porth will be sponsoring to improve Florida’s background screening process. Known as the “Protecting Florida’s Most Vulnerable Citizens Act,” the bill seeks to overhaul current state law to require that caregivers for children and the elderly complete their background checks before they begin work, and to close loopholes that have allowed felons to get jobs in daycare and nursing homes.
Caucus members agreed to reconvene in December to continue discussions. “Our caucus will address a range of policy issues,” said Rep. Porth, “including child health, quality child care, family strengthening, safe communities, screening and interventions for children with special needs, maximizing federal funding for early childhood initiatives, and more. I’m enthusiastic about this bipartisan effort to make a difference in the lives of our youngest Florida residents.”
Members in Attendance
Sen. Nan Rich (D-Broward)
Sen. Eleanor Sobel (D-Broward
Rep. Kevin Ambler (R-Hillsborough)
Rep. Mary Brandenburg (D-Palm Beach)
Rep. Adam Fetterman (D-St. Lucie)
Rep. Jim Frishe (R-Pinellas)
Rep. Bill Heller (D- Pinellas)
Rep. Ari Porth (D-Broward)
Rep. Kelly Skidmore (D-Palm Beach)
Rep. Nick Thompson (R-Lee)
Rep. Perry Thurston (D-Broward)
Members Unable to Attend the First Meeting
Sen. Gary Siplin (D-Orange)
Rep. Betty Reed (D-Hillsborough)
Rep. Charles VanZant (R-Putnam)
Rep. Darren Soto (D-Orange)
Rep. Elaine Schwartz (D-Broward)
Rep. Janet Long (D-Pinellas)
Rep. John Tobia (R-Broward)
Rep. Kevin Rader (D-Palm Beach)
Rep. Mark Pafford (D-Palm Beach)
Rep. Martin Kiar (D-Broward)
Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel (D-Leon)
Rep. Peter Nehr (R-Pinellas)
Rep. Rich Glorioso (R-Hillsborough)
Rep. Richard Steinberg (D-Miami-Dade)
Rep. Yolly Roberson (D-Miami-Dade)
Rep. Alan Williams (D-Leon)
