Milk, cookies and ... change?

We’re one of the most populous states in the union (we’re No. 4, in case you were wondering) but Florida has a serious problem spending money on its best assets, its children.

Take a quick look at these statistics, and get ready to feel embarrassed:

Florida is 49th in the percentage of uninsured children. In 2007, there were 11,525 uninsured kids in St. Lucie County alone;

Florida ranks 47th in the percentage of pregnant women receiving prenatal care in their first trimester;

Florida ranks 50th in total state government education spending for every $1,000 of personal income.

So, while we’re big, we’re also cheap, as far as our children are concerned.

A new citizen-led, nonpartisan movement that aims to do something about this sad state of affairs is building across the state.

A series of “Milk Party” rallies are being held this month from Tallahassee to Key West to mobilize support for the Children's Movement of Florida. The Treasure Coast rally takes place Wednesday at Fort Pierce Central High School. After inspirational speeches, milk and cookies will be served.

Organizers hope that sympathizers from St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River and Okeechobee counties will attend the rally in Fort Pierce.

The overall goal of the Children's Movement of Florida is to become a powerful lobbying force that will motivate Tallahassee legislators.

Lawmakers need to re-order their priorities in favor of children's needs, according to St. Lucie County School Board member Kathryn Hensley, also a member of the movement’s statewide steering committee.

“It’s not about spending more money, especially taxpayers’ money,” Hensley stressed. “In fact there will be no taxpayer dollars involved in this. We have $1 million in private funding through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. This has nothing to do with raising taxes or dictating to (legislators) what they should be spending on.”

Perhaps more of a nudge in the right direction.

The movement is a grass-roots one, Hensley explained, similar to the groundswell that formed the Tea Party — but without the partisan politics, she added with a grin.

The idea is to give legislators some “cover” to do the right thing by kids, Hensley said.

“We know they are hammered constantly on the taxes issue. With this movement, “(legislators) will know they have the numbers behind them (to do the right thing),” she said.

The Children’s Movement listed five areas they hope to influence: access to quality health care; screening and treatment for special needs; quality pre-kindergarten opportunities; high-quality mentoring programs; support and information for parents.

Among the speakers at Wednesday’s event will be the brains behind the Children’s Movement, David Lawrence, former publisher of the Miami Herald.

Lawrence was also the impetus behind a high-powered debate on children’s issues that will take place Oct. 16 at the University of Miami. Gubernatorial candidates Alex Sink and Rick Scott have been invited. Sink has committed, Scott hasn’t so far.

If you think that Florida’s parsimonious attitude toward its kids isn’t all bad, consider this.

While we spend a paltry $2,575 on early childhood education, and only $6,866 a year per pupil on K-12 education once they set foot in school, it costs the state $51,000 a year to house a juvenile in a secured facility once the system has failed that child.

Why not spend a few more pennies on prevention and save ourselves a whole lot of money and grief in the future?

If you go

• What: Milk Party Rally for the Treasure Coast
• When: 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15
• Where: Fort Pierce Central High School auditorium, 4101 S. 25th Street, Fort Pierce
• For more information, go to www.childrensmovementflorida.org

Anthony Westbury is a columnist for Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers. This column reflects his opinion. For more on St. Lucie County topics, follow his blog at tcpalm.com/westbury. Contact him at (772) 409-1320 or anthony.westbury@scripps.com.

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