Michael Goforth: Florida kids should count for a lot more than they do now

With our beaches, nature activities and our theme parks, Florida is a great place for children to visit. But Florida is a lousy place for children who live here.

During the past decade, the state has ranked among the bottom third in the annual report on health and well-being of children presented by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Last week, the 2011 edition of its Kids Count Data Book came out, ranking the state 36th. That's down one place from 2010 and further indication that Florida continues to fail children.

Most striking in the latest report is the considerable negative impact being felt by Florida children as a result of the recession.

An estimated 626,000 children have been affected by home foreclosures since 2007, the second highest rate in the nation, just behind Nevada, according to report. In addition, an estimated 468,000 children lived in a household last year in which at least one parent was out of work and looking for employment.

Between 2000 and 2009, the number of Florida children living in poverty increased by 11 percent, with more than 850,000 living in poverty as of 2009.

The dismal figures related to the economy and its impact on children come as little surprise to agencies on the Treasure Coast that have seen a dramatic increase in the need for social service programs and basic necessities.

As a community, it may seem there is little we can do to improve conditions for children. After all, what can we do as far as improving the economy, reducing foreclosures or creating jobs? While we may not be able to do much in regard to the root problems, there is much we can do in response to them.

Children are not a priority among our Florida lawmakers. That must change, and organizations such as The Children's Movement of Florida are working to see that change occurs. That doesn't necessarily mean more public funding, but using existing state revenue in a manner that better meets the needs of children and families. (A lot of money could be made available by eliminating some of the tax breaks given to special business interests.)

Families are under stress. The Children's Movement wants better access to health care for children. It wants better pre-kindergarten programs. It wants more mentoring for children. And, importantly, it wants more programs to help parents be better parents.

Institutional programs can be beneficial for children, but home environments are critical.

St. Lucie County is taking a step to meet that need by creating a Parent Academy in partnership with educational material publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. That academy will be operating at the Coral Reef Square Mall in Fort Pierce on U.S. 1. A grand opening is anticipated in October.

The problems facing Florida's children, while worsened by the recession, were present even in the state's boom years. We didn't pay enough attention to our children then and we are not paying enough attention now. We need a healthy, educated, optimistic work force for our future. That foundation is vital to our social and economic well being. We can't afford not to be investing our resources in ways more conducive to the kind of state we should want to be.

A day at Disney World may make a child's eyes light up. Better yet would be seeing their eyes light up when they imagine the better future that might be ahead for them with a little help from their communities and the policy makers who can make a difference.

Follow Michael Goforth's blog at TCPalm.com/goforth. Contact him at 772-409-1332 or michael.goforth@scripps.com.

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