The Children’s Campaign engages citizens to take action in support of better public policy. The result is the improved health, safety, education and well-being of Florida’s children.
The Children’s Campaign is a watchdog group, founded to challenge the status quo and the private and public sectors to approach issues in ways that result in better outcomes. The Children’s Campaign educates, reaching target audiences through traditional and cutting edge methods. And, The Children’s Campaign fosters dialogue, developing specific recommendations for improvements while stressing accountability.
Each advocacy initiative has its own strategy but there are common elements: (1) Citizens reach consensus advised by experts then take the lead in recommending improvements; (2) research and best practice are obtained to support the policy goals; and (3) benchmarks are set to measure progress and provide for future evaluation.
A membership program supporting The Children’s Campaign is allowing for independent citizens to become the “public face” of initiating reforms for children. Citizen members gain access to policy-makers and speak with credibility.
This grant allows the merging of social science and political science to improve services, programs and conditions for children. It is a new way of thinking for many practitioners but one that brings new and more powerful tools to advocacy. Moving forward requires a commitment to mentoring, peer-to-peer learning experiences, and leadership development.
Florida is on the list of a number of watchdog groups. Some states are getting better, Florida is not. Florida is falling in national rankings, including overall child well-being, and there is no end in sight.
Florida’s current legacy to its kids: last in health care but near the top in the size of its prison population.
Florida is 36th in overall child well being, falling 4 spots since 2007.
A national study has shown the Sunshine State’s pre-kindergarten program to be one of the nation’s worst in terms of quality. And Florida ranks third in the number of child deaths linked to abuse and neglect. The Children’s Campaign, focused on bringing children’s issues to the forefront, is working to turn those numbers around.
- Tallahassee Magazine, January/February 2010 Edition
