Florida CSC and Early Learning Coalitions Meet with Office of Early Learning

Florida CSC and leaders from the Early Learning Coalitions (ELCs) met in Tallahassee on Oct. 20 with key leadership and budget staff of the Office of Early Learning (OEL). The two groups requested the meeting with OEL in an effort to better understand the agency's finance and budget process. Both groups expressed concerns over school readiness budget cuts and an interest in protecting and optimizing school readiness funds. OEL budget staff gave presentations on school readiness funding streams, historical federal state allocations, the current funding picture, and considerations for future school readiness funding. OEL staff also presented an informative analysis of school readiness funding options used in other states. The day-long meeting provided an excellent opportunity for questions, information sharing and productive dialogue. Highlights of a few of the issues discussed include:

• Federal CCDF funding to Florida has been reduced by over $7 million for 2009. Only two other states (NY & CA) have similar size cuts.
• OEL's ability to draw down all available federal dollars is secure for the moment with about $2.3 million to spare.
• The likelihood of drawing down additional federal match is unlikely. Last year, Florida was only able to access an additional $12,000.
• This year, OEL received $8.1 million in non-recurring revenue for School Readiness (SR) from a Penalties & Interest Fund, which will disappear in 2009-10. In total, there is $27.7 million in non-recurring revenue in this year's SR budget. AWI will be asking for $38 million to replace it in their Legislative Budget Request.
• Early estimates indicate enrollment in VPK will likely increase and revenue will remain flat. Under this scenario, the per child reimbursement could likely drop.
• AWI has submitted legislative budget proposals to the Governor's Office of Policy & Budget.

Florida CSC would like to thank the Early Learning Coalitions, AWI and OEL for a productive meeting. Appreciation also goes to the members of Florida CSC's public policy team who attended and offered their guidance and considerable expertise on financial issues. Special recognition goes to the dedicated staff and leadership of AWI and OEL for all they do to serve the children and families of Florida.

~ A portion of this report was provided by Dave McGerald, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

 

The Children's Trust and FCSC Honor Local Legislators with Stepping Up for Children Award

The Children's Trust of Miami-Dade County, together with the Florida Children's Services Council, honored Rep. Dan Gelber (D-Miami-Dade) and Sen. Gwen Margolis (D-Miami-Dade) with legislative awards during its Oct. 20 board meeting. The award, titled "Stepping Up for Children," recognized Rep. Gelber and Sen. Margolis for their support on children's issues during a challenging 2008 legislative session.

 

Palm Beach CSC Leaders Attend National Summit on Investing in Children

In late September, participants from across the nation attended the second annual Telluride Economic Summit, which focused on making investments in young children the primary goal for the nation. Among the participants were Palm Beach CSC Board Chair Kathy Adams and Palm Beach CSC CEO Tana Ebbole. An important outcome of the summit this year was the ratification of the Telluride Principles, which are now available for public dissemination. View the principles on the Partnership for America's Economic Success web site. The principles are designed to help business leaders and policymakers make strategic investments in proven child development policies and programs.

 

Florida Celebrates National Lights on Afterschool Day

From Pensacola to Key West, from Jacksonville to Ft. Myers, hundreds of afterschool programs throughout Florida celebrated National Lights on Afterschool (LOA) Day on Oct. 16. Proclamations from Gov. Charlie Crist, as well as mayors across the state, emphasized the importance of afterschool for Florida's children and families. As part of LOA, the cable TV show "After the School Bell Rings" also premiered on cable networks throughout the state. The Florida Afterschool Network congratulates all those who helped make the 2008 LOA a great success. View the governor's proclamation.

 

U.S. Children's Bureau Funds Cooperative Agreement to Support Strategies for Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention

As part of growing efforts to prevent the abuse and neglect of very young children before it occurs, the Children's Bureau, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded $9.7 million to the Center for the Study of Social Policy. The money will be used to develop the National Quality Improvement Center on Preventing the Abuse and Neglect of Infants and Young Children. Learn more.

 

March of Dimes Launches Petition for Preemies

As part of a multimillion-dollar research, awareness and education campaign on prematurity, the March of Dimes has launched the Petition for Preemies initiative. The petition calls on federal and state policymakers, hospitals and health care professionals, and the business community to take actions that can help reduce the rate of premature births. Anyone who signs the petition prior to November 12 will receive an email from the March of Dimes with their state's Prematurity Report Card on November 12. The March of Dimes will issue national and state Report Cards giving each state and the nation a grade determined by comparing its pre-term birth rate to Healthy People 2010 goals. Learn more at www.marchofdimes.com/petition.

 

The Children's Trust Completes Web Redesign
The newly designed Children's Trust Web site, with a number of user-friendly features, is now complete. Visitors may enter the site under different portals: "Providers" or "Parents" to more conveniently access desired information. For details about improvements and changes, find and download the Quick Reference Guide on the front page. Visit the site at: www.thechildrenstrust.org/.

 

Governor Visits Statewide Heart Gallery in Tallahassee

As part of his Explore Adoption initiative, Gov. Charlie Crist toured a first-of-its-kind Heart Gallery exhibit at the Mary Brogan Museum in Tallahassee last week. The exhibit -- a collection of pictures and biographies of children available for adoption -- marks the first time 14 local Heart Galleries coordinated to create a statewide display. "I am grateful to all of the Gallery organizers for their efforts, and for working to help make the Explore Adoption campaign a success," said Gov. Crist. "Initiatives like the Heart Gallery are making a difference for these children."

 

Joining the governor were Deborah Polston, wife of Florida Supreme Court Judge Ricky Polston, Department of Children and Families Secretary George Sheldon and Jim Kallinger, Florida's Chief Child Advocate. State officials recently announced a record number of adoptions for 2007-08 - 3,674 adoptions were finalized, up from 3,079 the previous year.

 

In other news, the Explore Adoption campaign has been nominated for an Emmy Award. The Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences nominated five ads created for the Explore Adoption Initiative. See the ads on the "News" page of www.adoptflorida.org.