The Tallahassee Chamber supports a Children’s Services Council | Opinion

Last week, the board of directors for the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce approved a position statement in support of the proposed Leon County Children’s Services Council. With this vote, the board has made clear its highest level of support for this needed measure. This position has been two years in the making and has included outreach to members, engagement with community leaders, research of other possible models, and thorough consideration of data related to the state of children in Leon County.

The final decision to endorse the creation of the CSC has not come lightly, but the board believes the potential benefits to our community are far too important not to pursue.

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Consistent with the Chamber’s guiding principles and the findings of the recent Local Government and Community Study Committee, the Chamber board’s endorsement of the proposed CSC is meant to reflect the belief among our membership that Tallahassee must take direct action to improve the outcomes for our future workforce and community members.

A CSC will not solve all the challenges present in our community, but it will provide an action-oriented and authoritative body that is well funded and accountable to the people of Leon County.

When first approached by CSC supporters in 2018, our board asked for more time and a dedicated process to help our community learn more about this method for investing in better outcomes for children. As a result, various local leaders participated in a public study process to understand the full scope of our community needs and shape what a CSC might look like. Meanwhile, our board and staff began engaging with both our members and other chambers from around Florida to get a sense of how such a model might affect the economy.

While this work was being conducted, two things became increasingly clear.

First, Tallahassee’s needs are substantial: With nearly 20% of our children living below the poverty line, there is a growing crisis affecting our most vulnerable residents. This leads to a significant portion of our community facing difficult living conditions and challenged career prospects. We can and must do better.

Second, when looking at how other CSC efforts have been implemented around the state of Florida, there is mounting evidence to support sustained and targeted investments in programs that directly help children with their development. CSC funds are used to promote school readiness, provide improved health care, and allow for other development needs that, in turn, help create better community outcomes including a growing, healthy and well-educated workforce. All these things are needed in our hometown.

This model, if approved by voters in November, is a critical next step for bridging the socio-economic divide in our hometown. It is a way for every citizen to make a small but direct investment in the lives of those who are most at risk in our community.

The Chamber is proud to take a stand in support of our children and our shared future. We encourage community members and local business leaders to read the Chamber’s position statement and hope you will consider supporting the proposed Leon County Children’s Services Council with your vote.

Beth Corum wears many hats, including being chair of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Co-COO at Capital City Bank, a community advocate and most importantly, a wife and mom. Sue Dick has served as president/CEO of the Chamber for 20 year and continues to nurture Tallahassee’s largest business community network.

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