The Children's Movement of Florida Reaps Editorial Endorsements, Moves Toward Legislative Action

Local branches to mobilize citizen support as The Children's Movement of Florida turns to legislative action on behalf of Florida's children

MIAMI, Oct. 21, 2010 – Endorsed by Florida's 10 largest daily newspapers, The Children's Movement of Florida announced Thursday that it is moving into the next stage of its work: Legislative action to help make children the state's No. 1 priority.

"It is time for legislators – for all of us – to recognize that Florida's children deserve to be our first priority when deciding how resources are spent," said David Lawrence Jr., president and co-chair of The Children's Movement of Florida, one of the nation's leading children's advocates and retired publisher of The Miami Herald. "The very future of our state depends on this, beginning with the early childhood years when the return on state investment is the greatest.”

This legislative phase follows close behind the movement's statewide Milk Party tour, which last month brought rallies and events to 17 Florida cities from Pensacola to Key West, attracting 15,000 attendees, widespread news coverage and unprecedented endorsements from all 10 of Florida's largest daily newspapers. These newspapers reach 1.5 million subscribers.

Among the editorial praise:

• St. Petersburg Times: "Floridians who have lamented the appalling state of children's services now can join a forceful chorus calling for change…. The Children's Movement is right. What could be more important?"
• Tallahassee Democrat: “This is unquestionably a first for Florida, bringing children's issues to the forefront of political discussion. A Children's Movement rally sounds sweet and endearing, but it's as serious as any effort ever launched in this state.”
• Tampa Tribune: “This is a cause both conservatives and liberals should rally behind…. It's the best news – and the best hope – Florida's children have had in a long time.
• Miami Herald: "This is a noble cause that everyone in Florida, regardless of party or political inclination, can support because, heaven knows, the children of Florida need help."
• Florida Times-Union: “This group has the right idea about how to enhance Florida's future. It's a statewide discussion long overdue.”

Now, regional coordinators are working with thousands of supporters to form local branches of The Children's Movement of Florida. These branches will mobilize citizen and legislative support for proposals grounded in the movement's first five areas of special concentration – all of which emerged as the highest priorities in a statewide poll of 1,515 likely voters:

Access to health insurance and quality health care. Enhanced quality standards for the state's pre-kindergarten program. Improved screening and treatment of special needs. A statewide parental support and information program. High-quality, widely available mentoring programs for young people.

Sadly, the need is obvious.

More than 800,000 Florida children do not have health insurance, leaving the state behind only Texas in the percentage of uninsured children. About 30 percent of Florida’s public school third graders cannot read with even minimum proficiency. More than half of our high school sophomores cannot read at grade level. Florida spends $51,000 to keep a juvenile incarcerated in a secure facility, while it spends less than $7,000 to keep a child in public school.

Multiple studies show that investing in children during the crucial first five years of life helps them attain their full potential and avoids devoting much larger sums to remedial programs later in life, saving vast sums of money for taxpayers in the long run.

"It's the right thing to do for children and for taxpayers – and it's just pure common sense," Lawrence said.

The Children's Movement of Florida is supported by a broad and non-partisan coalition. The movement's 27-member statewide steering committee includes 12 Republicans, 12 Democrats and three independents.

The movement does not endorse candidates. Its activities are funded solely through private donations – no public funds are involved. The movement does not advocate new or higher statewide taxes, but rather insists that children's issues receive the highest priority and a much larger share of current resources.

For more information about the origins, objectives and leaders of The Children's Movement of Florida, and about the current state of Florida's children, please visit http://childrensmovementflorida.org/