Children's Movement of Florida presents results of state poll

The children in the First Baptist voluntary pre-kindergarten program love the milk party, also known as the Children's Movement of Florida.

Well, they love the cow, anyway.

The children sat on the steps of the old Capitol on Thursday, waving flags with the movement logo and giggling. Behind them stood several members of the Children's Movement of Florida, one of whom was obligingly dressed up in a cow suit. It was a reference to the 17 milk parties — as opposed to tea parties — the movement hosted last year, and the kids loved it.

"We're here to give the results of a statewide survey that will underscore what the parents of Florida have decided they need and want and deserve and, frankly, insist on," David Lawrence, president and co-chair of the Children's Movement of Florida, said. "Seventy-two percent of Floridians want our children, all our children, to be a legislator's first priority this coming session and beyond."

The survey was based on 1,000 interviews conducted with registered voters throughout the state.

Of those surveyed, 55 percent supported four out of the five specific proposals that make up the movement's mission — mentoring, health insurance coverage for children, improving the voluntary pre-K program, and special needs screening — even after being informed of the cost. The fifth proposal, parental skill building, was supported by 46 percent.

"What our poll shows is that voters possess a strong and demonstrable level of support for these programs, even when made aware of the costs," said Brian Nienaber, vice president of the Terrance Group, the company that conducted the poll.

Lawrence said that it is important that the government understand the importance of children and children's programs to the state.

The Children's Movement of Florida was launched in September of 2010. The movement's agenda is focused on bringing health insurance to an additional 300,000 children, universal screening of children who may have special needs, improving Florida's voluntary pre-kindergarten program and enhancing parent-skill building and student mentoring.

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