Through these CSC investments, data is collected, and services are aligned that produce efficiencies, replicable positive child and family outcomes, and long-term collective impact.

Priority Issues

Shaping Policy

The Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils and Trusts serves as the member organization of the state’s Children Services Councils (CSCs) and Children’s Trusts. Within Florida these organizations serve over 1/2 of the state’s birth to 18 population by funding evidence-based programs, innovative services, and community resources that improve the lives of children and families. This comprehensive service approach allows CSCs to make data-driven decisions, maximize local resources, and ensure accountability of funded programs. Through these CSC investments, data is collected, and services are aligned that produce efficiencies, replicable positive child and family outcomes, and long-term collective impact. It is through this laser-focused approach that scalable system development opportunities and recognition of public policy needs emerge.

Effective Public Policies Benefiting Children, Youth and Families

Two-Generational Strategies for Children and Families

Support the development of more effective policies for families with young children in poverty by aligning targeted social services that support children’s development with workforce development services to increase family economic self sufficiency.

Out of School Time Programs

Support child safety and well-being by working with the legislature to provide the Florida Department of Children and Families the authority to be able to fine or file an injunction for summer camps that are in violation of the summer camp background screening requirements and continuing to support summer camp registration.

Healthy Development

Expand funding and access for all children to ensure the healthy development of Florida’s children through targeted programs that support mental health, infant mortality and disparities in birth outcomes, and access to health care.

Children With Disabilities

Maximize the impact of intervention services by managing caseloads, adequately serving infants and toddlers with significant delays implementing universal developmental screenings, and streamlining transitions between state programs.

Child Protection

Develop a network of comprehensive child welfare services that implement trauma-informed practices, ensure children are in safe and stable homes, reduce the length of time that children are in the welfare system, and supports young adults leaving foster care and transitioning into independence.

Juvenile Justice

Support programs and strategies that produce evidenced-based results that mitigate recidivism and allow for state attorney discretion on filing charges against juveniles who receive concurrent civil citations.

Early Learning

Advocate for policies that enhance access to high-quality early learning programs and community resources for families, recognizing their role in breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering future generations.

Guiding Principles

  • Maintain the ability for local communities to determine the best use of resources to develop, implement, and administer programs that address the needs of children and families.
  • Support evidence-based policies and programs to ensure healthy, academically successful children, secure families, and safe and supportive communities.
  • Ensure adequate, equitable funding and access for programs that affect children and families and account for regional economic differences.
  • Support programming that encourages and facilitates family engagement.
  • Ensure health, safety, and well-being of children in all publicly funded programs.
  • Support programs that promote the ability for families to continue toward economic self-sufficiency without losing access to services that support children’s development.
  • Maximize all available revenue streams for strategies that support child development and economic security.
  • Support State appropriations that benefit Florida’s children and families.