Linda Merrell: Florida Child Healthcare co-convener/health and human services consultant
"After many years of dedicated child advocacy efforts, children’s programs and services, Florida continues to rank at the bottom or near bottom nationally by most all child-wellness indictors. We can’t seem to solve the problems for Florida’s children by doing what is usual with programs and services alone. What The Children’s Movement of Florida means to me is the chance to break this cycle of failure creating a major sweeping paradigm shift as a civil society making children a priority in our state. Similar to the civil rights and other movements for equality, the process is long and tenuous.There is great hope that this movement in Florida will lead to improvements for our children and the chance for them to at last reach their full potential."
Linda Merrell, Florida Child Healthcare co-convener/health and human services consultant
E mail: LindaKids1@aol.com
Ahealth care consultant and child advocate with more than 40 years of experience, Linda has been involved in numerous organizations as a leader at both the community and state levels.
She has been instrumental in developing community non-profit organizations, including Florida CHAIN, of which she is a founding and active board member.
Linda also was coordinator and organizer for the original Healthy Kids pilot program in Florida to cover uninsured low-income children. In partnership with the Volusia County School Board, one of three national models that preceded the federal-state child health care insurance program of S-CHIP, her medical career as a Registered Nurse provided the foundation for her advocacy. As a health care lobbyist and activist she has continued to promote and provide educational forums on health care issues.
She helped to create the Florida Child Healthcare Coalition that still exists as a team of experienced stakeholders committed to improve maternal and child health care coverage and improved health care outcomes. Linda has served on the statutorily created Florida KidCare Coordinating Council since its inception. The council is charged with oversight and making recommendations concerning implementation and operation of the Florida KidCare Child Health Insurance Program.
She also serves on the Covering Kids and Families board, the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida, and the Department of Children and Families Circuit 7 Community Alliance.
Candace Lankford: Volusia County School Board chair
Candace Lankford, Volusia County School Board chair
200 N. Clara Ave.
Deland 32720
386-734-7190
E mail: cclankfo@volusia.k12.fl.us
Ms. Lankford graduated from Stetson University with a bachelor's degree in political science. She has served as a School Advisory Council member at the elementary, middle and high school levels. She also served as chairman of the West Volusia Hospital Authority Board and chairman of the Stetson University School of Business Foundation Board.
Ms. Lankford is the immediate past president of the Florida School Boards Association. Ms. Lankford represents District 1, northwest Volusia County including the DeLand, Lake Helen, Orange City, Pierson and Seville areas. She has been a school board member since 2002 -- and is currently serving in her third term.