Children's Movement of Florida to host 'Milk Party'

For years, childcare agencies have advocated for the state of Florida to pay attention to the educational needs of young children.

These professionals, who know children best, have witnessed dwindling test scores, low reading comprehension and more than 800,000 uninsured children walk through the halls of their agencies. With lacking resources, they have seen many of these children failed by the state.

In response, The Children's Movement of Florida, a citizen-led, nonpartisan movement, is taking to the street their passion for improving the well-being and future of children.

Raise A Glass

On Monday, the Children's Movement of Florida will host a "Milk Party" rally at Pensacola High School to educate political, business and civic leaders and parents about the urgent need to significantly improve the way Florida treats our children.

"We have been fragmented, working in our own little world with issues that affect only us," said Audra Carter, regional coordinator for the Children's Movement. "We have not been looking at how things affect children on a national level."

Diane Hutcherson, executive director for the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County and a Children's Movement Rally steering committee member, agrees that the state has been ignoring children's needs.

"Funding for children's programs has historically been done in silos," Hutcherson said. "No one has looked at this comprehensively and asked, 'Where are we going as a state, county and community?' Politicians and political leaders focus so heavily on adult support structures because those are the voters. It leads to not putting enough emphasis on support for children."

Randy Fleming, chairman of the local steering committee for the Children's Movement Rally, said ignoring the educational needs of young children can make the current economic situation even worse.

"Employers don't come to communities that don't have a work-ready work force," he said. "If children are not graduating high school ready to work, the employers won't come.

"We have been a reactive rather than proactive state," he continued. "If you fund proactively, you won't have to fund as many jails, and that is a fact."

Call To Parents

The "Milk Party" is more than a cry to political leaders; it also is a way to garner parental support.

"Parents are the core of what happens to our children," said Hutcherson. "They are their child's first and most important teacher."

Added Carter: "This movement is all about bringing people together to get support for change."

The "Milk Party" will have children's performances and hands-on activities beginning at 8:30 a.m. Milk and cookies will be served. The rally will be 10 to 11 a.m.

Three area radio stations — Cat Country, WBLX and WRNE, that have actively supported children — will be at the rally. Parents are encouraged to bring their children.

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