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 Video The 2024 Election: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward for Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Advocates and experts share insights into the campaign processes, successes, and challenges behind ballot measures to create voter-approved children's funds. Publication Last Vote to First Dollar Toolkit An implementation toolkit to help leaders of new voter-approved children's funds set their funds up for success Updates and Events Insights December 11, 2024 Reflecting on a Year of Accomplishments for Children and Youth—and Preparing for a New Political Climate Insights November 11, 2024 After-School Programs Offer an Antidote to Social Media Harms. Big Tech Settlements Should Foot the Bill. News November 6, 2024 Voters in Local Communities Approve Up to $133 Million for Kids in the 2024 Election Close Share it! Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Click to copy URL Link Copied!
Video The 2024 Election: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward for Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Advocates and experts share insights into the campaign processes, successes, and challenges behind ballot measures to create voter-approved children's funds.
Publication Last Vote to First Dollar Toolkit An implementation toolkit to help leaders of new voter-approved children's funds set their funds up for success
Insights December 11, 2024 Reflecting on a Year of Accomplishments for Children and Youth—and Preparing for a New Political Climate
Insights November 11, 2024 After-School Programs Offer an Antidote to Social Media Harms. Big Tech Settlements Should Foot the Bill.
News November 6, 2024 Voters in Local Communities Approve Up to $133 Million for Kids in the 2024 Election