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Dates
to Watch
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Legislative Session Begins
March 4-5, 2010
Early Learning Advisory Council Meeting
Tallahassee
FCSC
Board of Directors Meeting
Children
and Youth Cabinet Meeting
Tallahassee
April 30, 2010
Regular
Legislative Session Ends
Children and Youth Cabinet Meeting
June
17-18, 2010
Early Learning
Advisory Council Meeting
Orlando
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Send Me More
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CSCs
strategically invest in primary prevention and early intervention
programs and services.
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Haiti
Earthquake Relief
We
are all extremely saddened by the effects of the disastrous earthquake
that struck Haiti on January 12. The Florida Philanthropic Network has
organized a list organizations aiding in the relief efforts. To find
out how you can help click here.
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Military Leaders Say Investments in Early Learning a
Matter of National Security
 On Feb. 10 Major General Joseph F. Perugino (Ret., U.S.
Army) told the Florida Legislature's Early Childhood Caucus and other
interested stakeholders that Department of Defense statistics show 75
percent of young Americans ages 17 to 24 are ineligible to serve in the
United States military. He explained that these youngsters lack a high
school diploma, have a criminal record, or are physically unfit.
Representing a nonprofit, bi-partisan group of senior
retired military leaders -- Mission: Readiness -- Gen. Perugino said
making investments in early childhood programs is critical to
addressing this national security issue. Mission: Readiness believes
that early investments will most directly impact graduation rates,
arrest rates, and the health of America's young people so they will
have more career options, including military service.
 He acknowledged the daunting fiscal crisis faced by
Florida legislators, but cautioned that de-investing in early learning
has more costly implications including the impact on the nation's
long-term security. In Florida alone, 1.4 million young adults are not
eligible to join the military. However, that may be a low estimate
because, compared to the national average, Florida has more young
people who are overweight and more young people without on-time high
school degrees.
Mission: Readiness will be participating in Children's
Week where General George Norwood is scheduled to bring their message
to Florida lawmakers. Special thanks go to the Children's Forum for
providing the financial support for General Perugino's travel to
Tallahassee.
Report from Business Community: Early Learning is Key
Element in Closing the Talent Gap
A report released by the Florida Chamber and the Council
of 100, together with Workforce Florida, says Florida is facing a
crisis in human capital. The report, titled "Closing the Talent
Gap: A Business Perspective," examines the growing need in Florida
for a highly skilled and educated globally competitive workforce in
order to drive sustainable economic growth and a diversified economy.
Business leaders with the Chamber and Council of 100 are
calling on Florida lawmakers to adopt a new approach for energizing
Florida's "Talent Supply Chain." They recommend a framework
built around the idea that Florida's talent development system must be
seamless, integrated, and coordinated; access-oriented; market-driven;
focused on high standards, accountability, and incentives; and
cost-effective. The report breaks the Talent Supply Chain into Four
Zones with the first zone including School Readiness, VPK and Head
Start. Download the full report.
FAN's Pastor
Scrubbs Named Governor's Point of Light for Black History Month
Gov. Charlie Crist
recognized Pastor Ken Scrubbs of Fruitland Park as the Governor's Point
of Light for Black History Month. Pastor Scrubbs is a member of the
Florida Afterschool Network (FAN) Board of Directors. "Ken has a
tireless commitment to the betterment of youth in Florida communities"
said Gov. Crist. "He is a great public servant, and continues to
inspire Florida's youth while advocating for their best interests
across our state."
"When you think about role models for youth, the
first person that comes to my mind is Pastor Scrubbs" said Larry
Pintacuda, Project Director for FAN. "I have witnessed first-hand
the tremendous impact he has on kids. We are truly blessed to have him
on the FAN Board advocating for the needs of all our children."
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FEDERAL WATCH
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Obama Budget Proposes Increases for Child Care, Early
Learning
On Feb. 1, the Obama Administration released its proposed
budget for Fiscal Year 2011, which begins Oct. 1, 2010. The budget
includes big gains for early childhood programs, investments in the broader
education landscape, and a focus on job creation and support for
working families. Among items in the Administration's budget proposal
are a $1.6 billion increase for the Child Care and Development Block
grant, an expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, a $989
million increase for Head Start and Early Head Start, $9 billion over
10 years for the Early Learning Challenge Fund, and $10 billion over 10
years for child nutrition programs. The Early Care and Education
Consortium in Washington, D.C., released a summary of the budget, which
can be found here.
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CSC NEWS
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Prosperity Campaign 2010 Launched in Broward
 On Jan. 29, the Children's Services Council of Broward
County (CSC) launched the 2010 Prosperity Campaign, in conjunction with
similar efforts promoting the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
nationwide. The launch took place at the CSC building in Lauderhill and
included a Community Resource Fair. The EITC is a tax credit for people
who work, but earn low wages. Over the years, the campaign's focus has
broadened beyond tax preparations to include information on hunger
relief resources, low-cost health insurance for children, financial
literary and more. Since 2002, free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
centers funded by the CSC and operated by Hispanic Unity, Minority Development
and Empowerment, Inc., and other partners have increased returns in
Broward by more than $90 million, with many of those receiving the
funds investing in a first home, education or debt reduction. To learn
more about the campaign, visit the Broward CSC web site.
2010 FCSC
Legislative Program Available Online
The Florida CSC 2010 Legislative Policy Program is
available for download on the Florida CSC web site. Florida CSC leadership voted
to include in its legislative agenda many issues that are supported by
other organizations. This collaborative approach serves to help Florida
move toward an integrated early childhood system of care. Among some of
the critical priorities supported by the Florida CSC are: early
childhood funding, streamlining early learning, and continued
improvement of Florida Kidcare. View the complete policy program online
at: http://www.floridacsc.org/advocacy/.
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IN OTHER NEWS
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U.S. Chief Technology Officer Announces Launch of Free
Mobile Health Service for Pregnant Women and New Mothers
Pregnant women and new mothers will be able to get health
information delivered to their mobile phones by text message at no
charge through a new public service program being launched by a
coalition of mobile phone providers, health professionals and Federal,
State and Local agencies. The program, called text4baby, is a free
mobile information service that provides timely health information to
women from early pregnancy through the baby's first year. Women who
sign up for the service by texting BABY to 511411 (or BEBE for Spanish)
receive three free SMS text messages each week timed to their due date.
The messages focus on topics critical to the health of moms and babies.
For more information on text4baby, visit http://www.textforbaby.org/.
NAFCC Seeking
Observers in Florida
The National Association for Family
Child Care is seeking observers in Florida to conduct on-site
observations in Family Child Care homes as part of their accreditation
process. Florida has 260 accredited homes and many in process. Florida
has the second-highest number in the nation. Interested parties are
encouraged to send their qualified staff and accredited providers to
training during the Florida Family Child Care Association's 18th Annual
Conference in Clearwater Beach at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, 1160
Gulf Blvd. 727-595-1611. The two-day, 16-hour training will be on
Wednesday and Thursday, June 23 - 24, 2010. The cost is $200.
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Florida Children and Youth Cabinet Posts Annual Report
The Children and Youth Cabinet has released the Third
Annual Report for the fiscal period June 30, 2008, through June 30,
2009. The report is available on the Children and Youth Cabinet web
site at: www.flgov.com/youth_cabinet.
Handout provides
Glimpse of Southern States use of the Stimulus Money
The Childcare
Bureau of the Administration for Children and Families has produced a
handout that summarizes how some southern states are using stimulus
funds relating to childcare. To view the document and to find out more
click here.
Web Site Focuses
on Afterschool Science Curricula for Kids
The Lawrence Hall
of Science at the University of California, Berkeley, has launched a
new web site featuring an afterschool science curriculum project called
AfterSchool Kidzscience. Known as Great Explorations in Math and
Science, the program has developed the first four kits focused on
physical science. Visit www.lawrencehallofscience.org/gems/ASKS.html for
details.
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EVENTS
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Partnership for America's Economic Success to Hold
National Conference in March 2010
The Partnership for America's Economic Success is planning
to hold its National Conference March 10-11, 2010, at the National
Press Club in Washington, D.C. This conference is open to all business,
finance and economic leaders, advocates, policymakers and
philanthropists interested in furthering early childhood development. Learn more about the conference. Register online now.
National
Afterschool Association Convention Set for April 2010
Join thousands of
afterschool professionals for outstanding learning and networking
experiences at the National Afterschool Association Convention in
Washington, DC, April 19-21, 2010. The event will feature hundreds of
workshops from across the afterschool field. For details, visit www.naaconvention.org/registration.html.
17th Annual
National Foster Care Conference Coming to Clearwater in May 2010
The Daniel
Memorial Institute will be sponsoring the Annual National Foster Care
Conference, scheduled for May 12-14, 2010, in Clearwater. This year's
conference will address a variety of problems facing foster care
specialists, foster parents and various social service professionals
who desire to enhance their skills in order to create the best foster
home environment. Click here for more information.
FFCCHA's 18th Annual
Conference-Enhancing Our Minds in 2010
The Florida Family
Child Care Home Association's annual conference will be held in
Clearwater June 25-27, 2010, at the Clearwater Beach Sheraton Sand Key
Resort. Some of the topics to be covered include:
Legislative and
FCC Rules Update, School Age Activities, Tax Information and Updates,
Early Literacy, Insurance and Liability, Curriculums for FCC Homes, and
NAFCC Accreditation. Conference and registration information can be
found here.
23rd Annual
National Independent Living Conference - Growing Pains 2010
Scheduled for
Sept. 7-10, 2010, in National Harbor, MD, "Growing Pains
2010" is a must-attend event for youth service professionals,
independent living professionals and youth ages 15+. Presenters include
top leaders and experts in the field of independent living. The national
youth conference consists of special sessions dedicated to the needs of
youth who are currently in care. These include training sessions,
workshops, panel discussions and leadership/team building activities. Click here for more information.
11th
International Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma
The 11th International Conference on Shaken
Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma has been set for Sept. 12-14, 2010 in
Atlanta, GA. The highly successful conferences held every other year
focus on four areas of expertise; legal challenges in SBS cases,
evidenced and creative prevention programs and initiatives, the latest
medical information and research, and support and rehabilitation for
families and victims of shaken baby syndrome including rehabilitation
and continuum of care issues. For questions regarding the conference,
please contact Danielle Vazquez, Conference Coordinator, at (801)
627-3399 or email her at dvazquez@dontshake.org.
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