Leon County, FL’s Children’s Services Council: A November 2020 Ballot Measure Case StudyIn December 2019, a committee of Leon County, FL, leaders released a report detailing the unmet needs of children and youth in the county. Among other needs, the report revealed the county’s high youth arrest rate (10.8%) and low rate of accredited child care programs (12%—less than half the state average).1 To address these needs, a group of advocates pushed for the county commission to place a measure on the ballot to establish a Children’s Services Council (CSC)—an independent governing body with the power to levy taxes and direct the revenue exclusively to services for children, youth, and families. In November 2020, their efforts succeeded and nearly two-thirds of voters chose to raise taxes to create a new CSC that is projected to raise approximately $7 million annually. Download PDF Filed under:Infants and Toddlers, Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Youth, Advocates/Intermediaries, Funders, Policymakers/Agency Leaders, Publication, Voter-Approved Children’s FundsMore Resources Collection Leaders and Champions: Find Your Role in Strategic Public Financing Find out how you can help your community fund programs and services for children and youth in sustainable and equitable ways. Publication Leaders and Champions: The Role of Program Providers in Strategic Public Financing How program providers can help communities fund services for children and youth in sustainable and equitable ways through strategic public financing. Updates and Events News October 14, 2026 Record Number of Dedicated Children’s Funds to Appear on Local Ballots Interview September 29, 2026 Leadership, Advocacy, and 25 Years of Dedicated Funding for Kids in Broward County, FL Insights May 12, 2026 Five Ways to Put Your Fiscal Map into Action Close Share it! Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Click to copy URL Link Copied!
Collection Leaders and Champions: Find Your Role in Strategic Public Financing Find out how you can help your community fund programs and services for children and youth in sustainable and equitable ways.
Publication Leaders and Champions: The Role of Program Providers in Strategic Public Financing How program providers can help communities fund services for children and youth in sustainable and equitable ways through strategic public financing.
Interview September 29, 2026 Leadership, Advocacy, and 25 Years of Dedicated Funding for Kids in Broward County, FL