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Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Broward County, FL

The Children's Services Council of Broward County funds and supports a wide range of programs focused on early childhood education, literacy, health, child abuse prevention, and out-of-school time.
Photo provided by Children's Services Council of Broward County

Voter-Approved Children’s Fund Profile: Broward County, FL

Name of Fund: Children’s Services Council of Broward County

Percent of Locality’s Children in Poverty: 16%

Annual Revenue: $117.2 million (2024, most recent data available)

Funding Mechanism: Property tax of $0.4882 per $1,000

Year Established: 2000 (reauthorized in 2014)

Percent of Voters Who Approved the Fund, 2000: 59%

Percent of Voters Who Approved the Fund, 2014: 73%

Expiration Date: None

Fund Purpose: Comprehensive support for children, youth, and families

Worked with Children’s Funding Project

  • Children’s Funding Project community of practice member

Filed under:

Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, Youth, Advocates/Intermediaries, Policymakers/Agency Leaders, Publication, Voter-Approved Children’s Funds

QUICK LINKS

Fund History and Description

Fund Purpose and Impact

Governance and Administration

Relevant Links

More Resources

Updates and Events

Fund History and Description
Photo provided by Children’s Services Council of Broward County

The Children’s Services Council of Broward County is an independent special taxing district established by voter referendum on September 5, 2000. Reauthorized in 2014, the Children’s Services Council sets out to improve the lives of children, youth, and families in Broward County. The Children’s Services Council funds and supports a wide range of programs focused on early childhood education, literacy, health, child abuse prevention, and out-of-school time. The Broward Children’s Strategic Plan, originally developed after the 1999 Children’s Summit, guides the Children’s Services Council’s work. This plan serves as a clear road map, outlining a vision, specific goals, and measurable benchmarks to ensure coordinated efforts that help all children in Broward County thrive. Operating under the powers granted to special districts by Florida Statutes, the Children’s Services Council can only be amended or dissolved by a special act of the legislature.

Fund Purpose and Impact
Photo provided by Children’s Services Council of Broward County

The Children’s Services Council of Broward County works to improve the lives of children and families by funding a wide range of programs that support healthy development, academic success, family stability, and economic growth by helping to fund the following areas:

    1. Maternal and child health programs
    2. Family supports
    3. Dependency and delinquency
    4. Financial stability
    5. Child care and school health
    6. Literacy and early learning
    7. Elementary school, middle school, and high school programs
    8. Programs for youth transitioning to independent living
    9. Delinquency diversion
    10. Capacity-building programs

Each year, the Children’s Services Council of Broward County reaches over 100,000 children and youth through a wide range of programs. Recent highlights from 2023-2024 include the following:

  • 94% of mothers participating in the Mothers Overcoming Maternal Stress program reported reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. 
  • 90% of families receiving family support services reported improved overall family functioning. 
  • 85% of youth in the New Diversion Alternatives for Youth program completed their diversion plans, offering them a second chance post-incarceration. 
  • 97% of children in Children’s Services Council-funded early learning programs met developmental milestones. 
  • Youth in out-of-school time programs showed a 93% improvement in academic performance. 
  • Children who completed SWIM Central (low or no-cost swim lessons) maintained a 100% drowning-free rate three years post-program. 
  • 70% of students who received school health services were able to return to class the same day.
  • 95% of elementary children in after-school programs showed improved reading and language development. 
Governance and Administration

The passage of the Juvenile Welfare Services Act in 1986 authorized the establishment of Children’s Services Councils in Florida, such as the Children’s Services Council of Broward County, allowing for the creation of special taxing districts to support children’s services. Florida State Statute 125.901(a) prescribes the governance and oversight for Children’s Services Councils.

The Children’s Services Council of Broward County operates as an independent local governing body (though geographically contiguous with Broward County), with the authority to levy taxes and allocate funds to improve the lives of children and families. An 11-member board composed of community health and education leaders, elected officials, and appointments governs The Children’s Services Council, as prescribed through statute. Five members are appointed by the governor from a list submitted by the County Commission to reflect the demographic diversity of the county. The remaining six members include key local officials as designated in the statute. The board is responsible for setting policy and approving all funding decisions of the Children’s Services Council and ensuring that resources are used effectively. It has the authority to fund child-focused organizations in the county, analyze data, and hire staff as needed. This governance structure ensures that the Children’s Services Council of Broward County remains accountable, community-focused, and responsive to the evolving needs of Broward County families.