Csc Annual Report 0708

Our Growth Fund

Annual Report 2007-2008

The Council At Children’s Services Council, a special taxing district, we help children begin life healthy, remain free from abuse and neglect, enter school eager and ready to learn, and thrive in quality afterschool programs so our entire community succeeds.

Annual Report Staff Written and Edited by Shana Cooper, Public Information Specialist & Marlene Passell, Public Information Director Design by Caren Hackman [email protected]

Rod Macon, Chair, FP&L*

Judge Ronald Alvarez, Vice Chair, Juvenile Court Judge

Dari Bowman, Secretary, Child Advocate*

Perry Borman, Regional Director, Department of Children & Families

Vincent Goodman, Retired Educator*

Carrie Hill, School Board Member

Dr. Art Johnson, Superintendent of Schools

Jeff Koons, County Commissioner

Gregory A. Langowski, Executive Director of Palm Beach County Republican Party*

Table of Contents Healthy Beginnings..............................2-3 Quality Counts ....................................4-5 Positive Connections............................6-7 CSC at a Glance....................................8-9

Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County 2300 High Ridge Road Boynton Beach, FL 33426 561-740-7000 1-800-331-1462 FAX 835-1956 www.cscpbc.org

Chief Executive Officer

All meetings of the Children’s Services Council are open to the public. Monthly meetings are held on the fourth Thursday beginning at 5 p.m. unless otherwise posted.

* Gubernatorial appointees

Willie A. Miller, Jr., Assistant to County Commissioner Priscilla Taylor*

Gaetana D. Ebbole

Want Economic Growth? Invest in Children We call this our annual report.

We could just as accurately have titled it, “Financial Planning: How to Get the Highest Return on Investment.” The future of any society depends on its ability to foster the health and well-being of the next generation. Stated simply, today’s children will become tomorrow’s citizens, workers, and parents. When we fail to provide children with what they need to build a strong foundation for healthy and productive lives, we put our future prosperity and security at risk. Science has a lot to offer about how we as a community can use our collective resources most effectively and efficiently to build that strong foundation. The data on the impact of prenatal care and early childhood education on the lifetime trajectory of a child are indisputable, yet those things get the least public attention, the least policy discussion and the least funding. What makes this even more disappointing is that we know what to do to ensure the success of our children—the research provides the evidence. When we invest wisely in children and families, the next generation will pay that back through a lifetime of productivity and responsible citizenship. When we do not make wise investments in the earliest years, we will all pay the considerable costs of greater numbers of school-age children who need special education and more adults who are under-employed, unemployed, or incarcerated. Unlike the other economic dilemmas we are currently facing in the county, state and nation that may take years to figure out, the facts and figures on these pages tell us that we already know what to do for high return on investment. What we do with these facts and figures is purely up to us and we are choosing to use them to make a difference for our children, our community and our future. Rod Macon Chairman

Tana Ebbole Chief Executive Officer

Children’s Services Council Annual Report 2007- 2008

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Healthy Beginnings

“The reason I like this program is because it really works. It keeps the kids out of my courtroom.” — Ronald Alvarez, Palm Beach County Juvenile Court Judge

The mothers-to-be

are often young, unexpectedly pregnant and mired in difficult relationships. So they’re understandably cautious around the nurse who shows up at their home nearly every week to discuss health, wellness and baby care. But little by little, these nurses make deep connections with struggling families—building a trust that thrives.

Today, six nurses work with nearly 150 families through the evidence-based Nurse-Family Partnership program, which Children’s Services Council and its partners brought to Palm Beach County a year ago. The program, soon to expand, is just one example of Children’s Services Council’s commitment to creating a seamless system of care that addresses the needs of at-risk families while providing the community with an enormous return on its investment. Families involved in Nurse-Family Partnership show a significant decrease in children’s language delays, in mothers having another baby within two years and in cases of abuse and neglect. Long-term, this means healthier children, self-sufficient families and prosperous communities. In all, more than 19,500 children and families­—many of whom come from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds—received direct services last year under Children’s Services Council’s Healthy Beginnings division. Those programs and services include access to early, consistent, affordable prenatal care; childbirth education; nutrition information; counseling; developmental and behavioral assessments; and family support programs that encourage parent-child bonding and early literacy. Children’s Services Council is now refining its system of care to be more efficient, effective and accountable. The end result? More families will get the help they need to succeed.

Healthy Beginnings by the Numbers Birth Outcomes 15,702 Palm Beach County births (2007) Of those … 9,356 (60%) Healthy Beginnings clients Of those … 5,565 (60%) Postnatal clients 3,629 (39%) Prenatal clients 162 (1%) unknown clients

Low Birthweight - under 5.5 lbs. Healthy Beginnings Prenatal clients 9.4% Healthy Beginnings Postnatal clients 11.9% Countywide 9.4%

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Preterm - less than 37 weeks Healthy Beginnings Prenatal clients 12.7% Healthy Beginnings Postnatal clients 21.1% Countywide 14.7%

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25

Children’s Services Council Annual Report 2007- 2008

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Quality Counts

Working parents wonder, “Are my children safe, secure, well-fed and loved? Are they learning, trying, doing and growing? Are they happy?”

Every working parent knows the anxiety that

comes with leaving their children in the care of others. But last year, thousands went to work each day knowing their children were thriving—thanks to Palm Beach County’s twopronged Quality Improvement System (funded and supported by Children’s Services Council and community partners). Whether their toddler was in an early care & education program or their ‘tween attended an afterschool site, parents could literally see, hear and feel the quality. Research has proven that children in well-designed early childhood education programs blossom physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally—so they’re ready and eager for kindergarten. Their caregivers are well-trained in child development and given the opportunity to grow professionally. And their parents are encouraged to be involved. The end result is a startling benefit to society. Studies have shown a long-term return on investment ranging from $1.80 to $17.70 for each dollar spent. Thousands more Palm Beach County school children engage in everything from fine arts to sports at local quality afterschool programs. They received homework help, nutritious snacks and a pat on the back from caring staff. These programs helped build children’s confidence, improve their school performance and keep them safe. Studies show children in quality afterschool programs are significantly less likely to skip school or experiment with drugs, alcohol, smoking or sex. As 2010 approaches, Children’s Services Council has taken these quality improvements further so the child care and afterschool systems are even more efficient and accountable—and parents, ultimately, have more affordable, quality choices. For working parents, that’s peace of mind.

Quality Counts by the Numbers Quality Programs Early Care & Education

132

6,000+ 500+ Afterschool

90

8,300+

Waiting for Care

Children’s Services Council Annual Report 2007- 2008

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Positive Connections

After seven years of mentoring

, Ken Arfa knows the impact he’s had on Vincent Belfiore’s life. Through school projects, tennis games, car washes and the occasional heart-to-heart, Arfa has watched a lost boy blossom into a young man. “I’ve seen him go through a lot of changes and he’s really come a long way,” Arfa said. “… I know we’re going to be buddies for life.”

“It really doesn’t matter what we do. There’s a benefit of us just being together.” ­— Ken Arfa, Mentor

Mentors show children a different view, expose them to unexplored opportunities and teach them to build trust. The proof is in the results: Youth who regularly meet with a mentor are 52 percent less likely than peers to skip school and 46 percent less likely to use drugs, according to a study by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. That’s why the Children’s Services Council, through its Positive Connections department, continues to promote mentoring, aid grassroots programs and recruit dedicated volunteers. And that’s why the department reaches out to others in the community who need a little extra help— whether they’re struggling teens, grieving children or grandparents raising grandchildren. Children’s Services Council supports programs that help teens make healthy choices to prevent pregnancy and develop life skills. Children’s Services Council also funds advocacy programs—such as providing lawyers for those embroiled in the child welfare system—to ensure children removed from their families because of abuse or neglect find safe, loving, stable homes as quickly as possible. In the coming months Children’s Services Council will enhance its community outreach with an evidencebased, universal parenting initiative for all Palm Beach County families. Because healthy children, raised within stable families, create strong communities.

Mentoring by the Numbers Meaningful Matches Nearly 1,700 mentors volunteered in Mentor Center network programs, according to a 2008 survey. By Gender

43% men

57% women

And nearly 550 children remained on waiting lists for mentors.

By Race

By Gender

9% Hispanic

54% White

37% African-American

35% Girls

65% Boys

During the same time, there were more than 2,050 children matched with a mentor.

By Race

By Gender 8% White 48% boys

92% Minority

52% girls

By Age 19% under 5 years old

By Race

10% 14-18 years old 15% Hispanic 72% African-American 13% White

Children’s Services Council Annual Report 2007- 2008

17% 11-13 years old

54% 5-10 years old

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Children’s Services Council by the Numbers

Revenues 2008

Property Taxes: $95,375,652

Grant Income: $6,084,346 Interest $3,002,373 Miscellaneous: $14,114

TOTAL REVENUES: $104,476,485

Expenditures 2008 Children’s Program Services: $79,526,183

Administrative: $13,085,831 Capital Outlay: $405,895 Other: $1,262,662

TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $94,280,571

Children’s Program Services 2008

Healthy Beginnings System: $28,512,241 Family & Community Services: $16,287,204 TOTAL: $79,526,183

Other: $4,139,880 Quality Early Care & Education: $18,624,321 Quality Afterschool Programs: $11,962,537

Children’s Services Council at a Glance 2007/2008

Children and Families Served Afterschool: 6,465 Family Support: 19,418

Prenatal/Postnatal: 19,582 Early Care & Education: 16,726

Total Children/Families Receiving Direct Services: 62,191 Additional Children/Families Receiving Indirect/Outreach Services: 90,951

Household Composition

Other Household: 11%

Single-Parent Household: 46%

Two-Parent Household: 43%

Region North: 14% Central: 51% South: 20% West: 15%

Race Black: 43%

Hispanic: 24% Haitian: 7%

White: 15%

Mayan: 2 % Other: 9%

Children’s Services Council Annual Report 2007- 2008

2300 High Ridge Road Boynton Beach, FL 33426

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