Letter: Children's Movement sweeping Florida as it seeks to get at root of society's problems

Why the Children's Movement? Parents are concerned. Local media report gang violence and murders, severe child abuse, teen suicide, date rape, legal synthetic marijuana use and violence in schools. Our children have constant stress of the influences or being victims of violence, bullying, peer pressure, FCATs, and family issues.

Almost everyone is impacted by the declining economy, high unemployment, local/state/federal budget problems, high foreclosures and decreasing home values and escalating gas prices. Currently parents have the ability to obtain mental health treatment screening and treatment for their children. If symptoms go untreated, youth often display elevated symptoms of acting out in school, skipping school, failing grades, drug involvement and illegal activities with undesirable peers. The result is a teenager with limited education, poor social skills, gang involvement, illegal activities and often suicidal or homicidal thoughts and ideation.

New Horizons of Treasure Coast strongly recommends that parents closely observe and monitor their youth's behaviors and seek help or assessment before symptoms escalate.

Young people with special needs encounter the same challenges as other youth and if untreated their future development is less promising. The Children's Movement sweeping Florida offers promising headlines for parents and youth.

This campaign will challenge the politicians that want us to believe that Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment are unneeded or luxury items in the state budget and should be eliminated or severely cut. The Children's Movement message is that youth are our future, and if not properly funded will have drastic negative impact in our local communities as well as state wide. Parents need to stand up for their families and let their voices be heard.

Do not permit politicians to reduce budgets that are already sparse. Never forget: Our kids are our future.

Frederick is director of New Horizons of the Treasure Coast Inc.

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