Governor Crist Addresses Inaugural Meeting of

~~ ~ Encourages members to work on tangible solutions for the welfare of Florida’s children and families~ ~~

TALLAHASSEE — Governor Charlie Crist today addressed the Children and Youth Cabinet in Tallahassee during the group’s first meeting. The 20 cabinet members are charged with developing a strategic plan to promote collaboration, creativity, increased efficiency, information sharing and improved service delivery between and within state agencies and organizations that administer child welfare services. The meeting is the first of six public meetings across the state to receive input from the public, media and government representatives.

“Nothing is more precious to our state’s future than Florida’ children,” said Governor Charlie Crist. “As leaders, we have a responsibility to make sure that our youngest generation has every opportunity for success and every opportunity for hope for the future.”

On July 11, 2007, Governor Crist signed House Bill 509 into law to create the Children and Youth Cabinet. As directed by the statute, the Cabinet will develop a shared vision and a strategic plan by December 31, 2007, that includes measurable outcomes and actions and promotes collaboration and information sharing. The group’s findings and recommendations will be presented in an annual report to the Governor, the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives by February 1, 2008.

“It was Governor Crist’s initiative, along with the tremendous work of Representative Loranne Ausley and Senator Nan Rich, that resulted in the creation of the Children’s Cabinet,” said Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp who serves as chairman of the cabinet. “We have a golden opportunity to bring about real change for Florida’s children.”

The Children and Youth Cabinet consists of 20 members. In addition to Lt. Governor Kottkamp, the cabinet also includes the secretaries of the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Agency for Health Care Administration, as well as the directors of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the Agency for Workforce Innovation. Other members include the State Surgeon General, the Commissioner of Education, the director of the Guardian ad Litem Office and the Chief Child Advocate. Additionally, the Governor appointed five members from around the state who are representatives of children and youth advocacy organizations, but who are not service providers. Rounding out the 20 are five ex-officio members named in the legislation, including Representative Loranne Ausley and Senator Nan Rich, sponsors of the legislation.

“This cabinet will work to make sure Florida is the first place families think of when asked, ‘Where do we want to raise a child?’” said Jim Kallinger, Florida’s Chief Child Advocate. Kallinger serves as director of the Office of Adoption and Child Protection within the Executive Office of the Governor, which coordinates cabinet activities.

Governor Crist encourages all Floridians to visit the Children and Youth Cabinet Web site at http://www.flgov.com/youth_cabinet. The Web site provides information about the cabinet and future meetings.