Florida has one of the lowest high school graduation rates in the country. The state is last in what it pays for children’s health care – with as many as 800,000 children going without health insurance. Infant mortality rates in some counties are as high as a Third World country. A national study has shown the Sunshine State’s prekindergarten 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. But with Florida legislators ready once again to slash state spending because of declining tax collections, children’s advocates are worried that they are fighting a losing battle. The state needs $2.7 billion it doesn’t have just to keep government operating at its already scaled-down level. The public school budget alone could face a $1 billion deficit.

“The broad consensus is that people care about kids, but that falls apart when it’s time to pay for it,” says Roy Miller, longtime president of the Children’s Campaign.

This is where you, the residents of Tallahassee, come in.

Miller’s challenge is simple: Are you ready to step up for children?

Miller wants to “get beyond the existing choir” and be able to call on local residents to speak out on behalf of children when the Florida Legislature convenes in March and begins its budget work in earnest. The idea is that state lawmakers might pay more attention to children’s programs – and be less likely to cut funding – if members of the public come to personally testify in support of them.

While others in the state may be willing to help, it takes time and money to travel to Tallahassee – and sometimes legislative committee meetings are scheduled on short notice. That’s where Tallahasseeans can help fill the gap, Miller said, adding that testifying before a legislative committee isn’t as tough as it sounds.

“People get scared off because they think they don’t know enough about the issues,” Miller says. “But all they have to do is rely on their personal experiences, to do a little reality therapy with these legislators.

“I’m not optimistic about the upcoming session … that’s why we want people in the community to watch,” he says. “This is a special opportunity that Tallahassee has. My challenge is, are you ready to step up for children?”

You can find out more about the Children’s Campaign at iamforkids.org or by calling (850) 425-2600.

Source: [Tallahassee Magazine]