Group announces 'Milk Party' campaign to lobby for children's programs in Florida

MIAMI — For the 4- and 5-year-olds gathered at a press conference today to launch the Children's Movement of Florida Milk Party campaign, it was all about the milk and cookies.

But for the leaders behind this new statewide initiative to improve the education and well-being of Florida's children, today's event was about the power to change the lives of those kids and millions of others in the state.

"You have to be perceived as powerful in order for people in elected public office to respect you," said David Lawrence Jr., president and co-chair of The Children's Movement of Florida and former publisher of The Miami Herald. "People need to see that if you don't do this, 'I'm in trouble with my elected officials.' "

To gain that type of influence, Lawrence and other movement organizers want thousands of supporters to gather at one of 15 Milk Party Rallies scheduled throughout the state in September.

Rallies are planned Sept. 15 in the Treasure Coast and Sept. 23 in West Palm Beach; exact locations have not been announced. Milk and cookies will be served.

Movement organizers said they have raised $1 million from private funds for their effort.

They said that a pilot project known at The Children's Project of Palm Beach held in April and May confirmed that a citizen-led movement would be an effective tool to educate the public and elected officials about children's needs.

A study associated with the project showed that 58 percent of registered voters in Palm Beach County believed improving services for children should be the state's top spending priority, compared to 36 percent before the campaign began.

"As parents, we invest in our children. As elected officials, we have to do exactly the same," said former Miami mayor Manny Díaz, who is part of the Children's Movement statewide steering committee.

In addition to local rallies, the Children's Movement has established local steering committees in various parts of the state. In Palm Beach County, the group includes Dr. Alina Alonso, health department director, and Dennis Gallon, president of Palm Beach State College.

For over a decade, Lawrence has championed for better education and programs for children and was instrumental in passing a statewide constitutional amendment in 2002 to provide pre-K to all 4-year-olds. He is also president of The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation.

Lawrence added that in the coming weeks, new strategies would be implemented to make legislators more aware of the need for better quality pre-K and mentoring programs, screenings and treatment for special needs students and parental support.

"Children who get a good start in life will have a good momentum throughout their lives," he said.

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