Florida needs 'Milk Party' movement

THE ISSUE: Grassroots group shines light on children's issues.

The Children's Movement of Florida is a badly needed solution to an enduring problem. The Sunshine State in too many cases isn't all that child-friendly. In fact, Florida's investment in children is downright pathetic.

Thanks to the high number of underweight babies who die before reaching their first birthday, Florida consistently ranks in the bottom half of states in child health. The state is near the bottom – 49th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia — when it comes to providing health insurance for children. Its ranking as 34th of 38 states in early education programs isn't much better. Neither is its status in the percentage of pregnant women receiving prenatal care during the first trimester.

There are waiting lists galore for those who rely on government assistance for day care programs, and services for children with special needs. The state continues to be plagued with criticism, much of it deserved, that Florida's spending priorities seem to favor detaining juveniles rather than educating them in public schools.

The Children's Movement of Florida (its website is childrensmovementflorida.org) hopes to go beyond issues of funding by raising awareness among a wider range of Floridians to encourage new initiatives that will ultimately boost Florida's competitive edge. Movement leaders already equate children's concerns to national security, which isn't a stretch given recent Pentagon statistics that show three of four recruits are unable to enlist because of either a criminal record, failure to graduate from high school or obesity.

The movement has obtained wide support from business leaders, child advocates, educators, parents and politicians — Democrats and Republicans. Organizers have put on a 17-city tour of public rallies, dubbed "Milk Parties," to stir up community support across the state. The response, in the form of greater involvement from individuals and businesses that have been content to stand on the sidelines, has been encouraging.

It's a start. Florida still faces an estimated $2.5 billion budgetary shortfall, and many lawmakers remain reluctant to use government programs as the primary means of addressing children's issues.

The Children's Movement of Florida offers a long-term alternative, one that must be sustained with ample public support if the movement hopes to make the necessary changes to help future generations of Floridians.

BOTTOM LINE: Group should milk it for all it's worth.

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