A big election for the littlest children

BY DAVID LAWRENCE JR.

Other than the weather, of course, Florida and Michigan have much in common these days. Painfully in some ways. Great in other ways.

For example, the end of the Great Recession has come more slowly to both states than elsewhere.

Both states also have witnessed the rise of movements that offer fresh thinking on ways to create long-lasting economic reform by focusing on the future workforce: our children.

In the Sunshine State, we call it the Children's Movement of Florida -- a citizen-led, non-partisan movement to educate political, business and civic leaders, and all parents about the urgent need to make the well-being and education of our infants, toddlers and all other children Florida's highest priority.

Our mission is not about raising taxes, but rather about raising children. Florida's children deserve to be our first priority when deciding how the state's resources are spent, especially when it comes to programs -- such as preschool, quality child care and prenatal care -- that make a real difference in their lives and futures.

To support that mission, in just the month of September, the Children's Movement of Florida hosted a series of "Milk Party" rallies to focus attention on early childhood. More than 15,000 attended. It was a remarkable example of mobilizing people to begin to change investment and spending priorities.

Michigan has its own version of the Milk Party called "The Sandbox Party." Like its Florida cousin, the Sandbox Party is a nonpartisan, citizen-led effort. And like its Florida counterpart, the Sandbox Party held a political-style convention in late summer, at Michigan State University.

More than 5,000 people from across the state were there -- parents, children, educators and business leaders. But the most encouraging sign that the seeds planted in recent years by Sandbox Party supporters and early childhood advocates across the land are starting to bloom was the presence of Rick Snyder and Virg Bernero -- one of whom will be elected Michigan's governor Nov. 2.

Yes, they were campaigning. But both, I am told, spoke passionately about the needs of Michigan's youngest learners, which perhaps means they will be torch-bearers for children when one of them takes office.

If so, it will be a wise choice for them as leaders, and for Michigan.

States like Florida and Michigan need all the smart, productive, innovative adults we can get. We have all sorts of longitudinal research to tell us the path to get there. That means early and wise investment in the basics: child care, health care, pre-K, screening and treatment for children who may have special needs, parent skill-building and mentoring programs. All must be high-quality, because only real quality leads to real and positive outcomes.

If we elect leaders who embrace that path, our two great states -- both of which I've been proud to call home -- may before long share another commonality:

Economic revitalization.

David Lawrence Jr. is president of the Children's Movement of Florida and a nationally known journalist who was formerly publisher of the Detroit Free Press and the Miami Herald. He retired in 1999 to devote his fulltime energies to school readiness.

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