Sometimes it’s the statistics that drive me, the numbers I can’t seem to shake.

For instance, did you know that one out of every seven children struggle with a developmental delay? Yet only 15% of those one in seven receive early intervention services. It’s heartbreaking to think that families in our community may not know life-changing help is a phone call away.

Also, heartbreaking … the reality of childhood poverty here in our neighborhoods. Statistically speaking, nearly one in four Florida children live in poverty – and they’re seven times more likely to experience neglect and five times more likely to drop out of school than their counterparts, perpetuating a vicious cycle threatening our community’s future.

For these reasons – and so many more – Children’s Home Society of Florida is here for Tallahassee and surrounding communities, just as we have been for nearly 60 years (and 120 throughout the state).

While I cherish the rich legacy of Children’s Home Society of Florida, I’m thankful the organization looks toward the future to ensure we’re providing services that will have the greatest impact on kids and families, evolving services to meet our community’s changing – and growing – needs.

Though I’ve had the privilege of serving children and families throughout the state in several capacities over the course of my career, I am overjoyed to now lead Children’s Home Society of Florida here in my hometown, to be part of creating the future in our community.

What’s especially exciting is the momentum we’re building to shatter the statistics above, to partner with children and families on the frontend – before any challenge turns into a crisis that could threaten the safety and well-being of a child.

In our Early Steps program, we empower parents – often confused, frustrated and overwhelmed – to become their child’s most powerful advocate. We teach them how to navigate red tape to access critical developmental services, and we partner to help them guide their children toward key milestones, celebrating together every step of the way.

As one mother shared, “This program saved our family. I don’t know what would have happened if we didn’t have Children’s Home Society of Florida.”

It’s a common theme we also hear from the parents in our Healthy Start Program, which we operate in partnership with the Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition. The support, guidance, and community they find there is unlike any other.

While the one-on-one support and guidance cannot be overrated, we also know significant change happens when we embrace movements proven to change the course of lives – and that’s exactly what’s happening with Tallahassee’s first Community Partnership School at Sabal Palm Elementary.

Together with our core partners Florida A&M University, FSU Primary Health and the Leon County School District, Children’s Home Society of Florida is serving students and families in Florida’s most impoverished ZIP code, breaking down barriers to learning as we work to inspire educational and lifetime success.

Sabal Palm Elementary School Principal Anicia Robinson speaks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held to introduce the school as a community partnership school Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019.

Already, the Community Partnership School has provided college tours for students, taken kids to the Capitol, added 52 programs and services right on campus and – last year alone – provided more than 20,000 hours of enrichment for students.

In fact, this model has illustrated such a positive impact at Sabal Palm Elementary that Children’s Home Society of Florida, Florida A&M University, Florida Department of Health-Jefferson County, Florida State University, Jefferson County School District and North Florida College are working to bring the model to Jefferson K-12 to embrace this community as well.

These are mere glimpses into the bridges to success being built in our neighborhoods every day – and it simply isn’t possible without you. To all of you, I say thank you.

Thank you for trusting Children’s Home Society of Florida to create the change our children deserve. Thank you for being part of Tallahassee’s movement to create safe, strong, vibrant futures for our kids.

And thank you for the privilege of partnering with you in this journey.

Originally posted by Tallahassee Democrat.

By Tiffany Martin