MIAMI — The Children’s Movement of Florida (The Movement) proudly announced the recipients of its first-ever Early Childhood Champion Award at a heartfelt ceremony honoring two remarkable leaders who have made early learning a key focus during their time in the legislature. The Movement celebrated Senator Erin Grall and Representative Dana Trabulsy for their role in increasing investments in the state’s early learning programs this year.
The award was presented by Movement board member Toni Jennings, a two-time Senate president and the first woman Lieutenant Governor in Florida, who served in that role when Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK) was established.
“As we prepare to celebrate 20 years of VPK in 2025, it is significant that we are recognizing these leaders for championing the largest increases in Florida’s early learning budget in a decade,” said Lt. Gov. Jennings. “We have learned so much over the years about how critical these investments are for child development and for supporting working families, and it’s important to celebrate progress.”
The award presentation took place on Sunday, December 8, 2024, during the annual retreat for advisory board members of Florida’s Early Learning Roadmap in Orlando. Surrounded by advocates, educators, and fellow policymakers, the ceremony reflected a shared vision of building a brighter future for every child in Florida.
This recognition follows a historic year for early childhood initiatives, with landmark legislative achievements during the 2024 Florida Legislative Session. Sen. Grall and Rep. Trabulsy played pivotal roles in championing critical investments and policies that support early learning and working families. Their leadership has significantly advanced opportunities for Florida’s youngest learners and their families, ensuring a brighter future for the state.
“Sen. Grall and Rep. Trabulsy recognize that increasing per-child investments is one critical way to raise the quality of early learning programs, increase compensation for early learning teachers, and expand parent choice—benefiting not only children and families, but also the state’s workforce and economy,” said Madeleine K. Thakur, President and CEO of The Movement. “Their commitment is a model of the legislative collaboration we’ll need to make continued progress.”
Some highlights from this year’s early learning budget include:
- Increased School Readiness Rates: A $46.4 million increase in funding, championed by Sen. Grall and Rep. Trabulsy, raised rates paid to early learning centers and family child care homes, offering working families greater access to quality care and better pay for educators.
- Creation of School Readiness Plus: A $23 million investment established this program, extending child care subsidies for families to promote economic self-sufficiency.
- VPK Budget Increase: The state allocated a 3% increase to the base student allocation for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten programs, providing essential support for early education.
- $1.7 Billion for Early Learning: The full early learning budget shows an increase of $100 million from the prior year.
The Early Childhood Champion Award underscores the vital role policymakers play in fostering a strong early learning system in our state. The Movement remains committed to working with legislative and agency leaders to ensure that every child has access to the support and education needed to thrive. Learn more about Florida’s Early Learning Roadmap.
