Children’s programs are reeling from the budget cuts put into place last legislative session.
Major newspapers are reporting on programs being scaled back or closing under the strain. That’s why Children’s Campaign is committed to Our Children: 2008 Truth Tour to educate citizens and candidates about the reality facing Florida’s children.
It is also why we have launched the Children’s Campaign Current. To truly understand the situation facing our children, it is important to see the whole picture. This publication will be a weekly review of the top news stories about children's issues across the state.
Some unhappy with how community money is distributed to nonprofits (Tallahassee Democrat) Even before doubts surfaced about United Way's continued involvement in its social-service partnership with Tallahassee and Leon County, the method of doling out dollars for needy residents was poised to get a fresh look.
1,000 more area children to get dental care (Pensacola News Journal) Between the county health department and private dentists, however, only 30 percent of those eligible are receiving dental care.
To Cover Florida, verify (Daytona Beach News Journal) While other states took bold steps to increase the number of people covered by health insurance, Florida fiddled at the margins of the problem.
Bill boosts aid for foster kids (USA Today) The bill will provide $3 billion over 10 years to increase adoption or guardianship of the 500,000 children in foster care.
Funding cuts reduce child welfare programs (Daytona Beach News Journal) Local child welfare officials have slashed a prevention program for families living in high-abuse areas, a sibling foster care program, and reduced monthly stipends for former foster teens living on their own.
Former Foster Children Helping FL Learn Lessons (First Coast News) The goal of the program -- the only one like it in the country -- is to help former foster children who need a job and to have DCF employees learn from their experiences.
Advocates Say Early Education Is a Good Investment: County Officials Argue That, Even in Weakening Economy, Pre-Kindergarten Funding Pays Off (Washington Post) "Now, more than ever, is the time to be making this investment in early education," said Vera Steiner Blore, executive director of Fairfax Futures, a county-funded group that organized the forum. "If kids get off to the right start with critical thinking and problem-solving skills . . . all of us reap the reward," she said.
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Stats Show Spike In Juvenile Violence, Crime (Local6.com) A trend of increased juvenile crime committed on the streets of Florida and other states includes a 70 percent increase in homicides and a 130 percent increase in attempted homicides.
A Kid's Life Worth Saving (Tampa Tribune) During that nine-month stay, Wilson realized his life was spinning out of control. He decided he couldn't live that way anymore. Actually, he realized he wouldn't live if he didn't do something drastic.
We're #47 (Gainesville Sun)
...ained roads. Our social services can't quite manage to care for the neediest and the disabled. Our child welfare system is notorious for losing track of neglected kids. Our criminal justice system is...
Blow upon blow: Our kids can't stand more (Daytona Beach News Journal) This equates to $15.9 million in lost services to abused, neglected and abandoned children in addition to the $18.9 million cut last session.
State Government Proves to Be a Poor Partner in Health Care, Family Physicians Say (Reuters)
."instead of investing in children's health," Luther said, "the State is increasing Healthy Family premiums for families struggling economically and implementing bureaucratic hoops designed to prevent full enrollment in the program."
Truth Tour Informs Citizens about Crisis (Breaking News) The initial five cities to be visited are: Tallahassee (late September); Orlando (early October); Miami (early October); Gainesville (mid-October); and Jacksonville (late October).