CS/HB 3

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to children's zones; creating s. 409.147,
3	F.S.; providing legislative findings and intent; providing
4	policy and purpose; providing definitions; providing a
5	process for nominating and selecting a children's zone;
6	providing for the governing body of a county or
7	municipality to adopt a resolution designating a
8	children's zone; specifying contents of the resolution;
9	requiring the governing body to establish a children's
10	zone planning team; providing powers and responsibilities
11	of the planning team; requiring the planning team to
12	designate working groups; specifying focus areas for the
13	working groups; providing for the development of a
14	strategic community plan; providing objectives for each
15	focus area; requiring the governing body to create a
16	corporation not for profit for specified purposes;
17	establishing the Magic City Children's Zone, Inc., pilot
18	project; providing for management by an entity organized
19	as a corporation not for profit; providing geographic
20	boundaries for the zone; providing for designation and
21	appointment of a board of directors; providing for
22	meetings and duties of the board of directors; providing
23	per diem and travel expenses; requiring the board to enter
24	into a contract to develop a business plan; providing for
25	reports to the Legislature; establishing the Jacksonville
26	Children's Zone pilot project; providing for management by
27	an entity organized as a corporation not for profit;
28	providing for a request for proposals process to identify
29	an existing corporation to manage the zone; providing
30	geographic boundaries for the zone; providing for an
31	oversight committee; requiring the corporation to enter
32	into a contract to develop a business plan; providing for
33	reports to the Legislature; requiring the Department of
34	Children and Family Services to contract with certain
35	private not-for-profit corporations for specified
36	purposes; requiring the corporation to provide evaluation,
37	fiscal management, and oversight of the Magic City
38	Children's Zone, Inc., and the Jacksonville Children's
39	Zone pilot projects; providing a contingent effective
40	date.
41
42	WHEREAS, the State of Florida is often referred to as the
43	Sunshine State, a term that suggests warm weather, a carefree
44	lifestyle, and unlimited potential for nurturing hope and
45	realizing dreams for a fulfilling and productive life, and
46	WHEREAS, communities within the state suffering from
47	fragile infrastructures and multiple social ills are home to
48	families for whom those obstacles limit, or completely preclude,
49	their ability to create a good quality of life for themselves
50	and for their children, and
51	WHEREAS, a proposed community initiative known as a
52	children's zone, which is modeled after the long-established and
53	successful Harlem Children's Zone, seeks to change that
54	experience, and
55	WHEREAS, the initiative will be based on the belief that in
56	order to help children from troubled communities become healthy
57	adults and responsible, fulfilled members of their communities,
58	two things must happen: first, they must be surrounded by a
59	critical mass of adults who are effective parents engaged in
60	activities with their children; and second, early in their
61	lives, they must be exposed to sound health care, intellectual
62	and social stimulation, and consistent guidance from loving,
63	attentive adults, and
64	WHEREAS, the initiative seeks to establish a comprehensive,
65	community-based, coordinated, and targeted system of strategies
66	and services to revitalize communities with an increased sense
67	of culture, pride, and togetherness, to support parents, and to
68	provide comprehensive care for all children within the zone,
69	NOW, THEREFORE,
70
71	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
72
73	Section 1.  Section 409.147, Florida Statutes, is created
74	to read:
75	409.147  Children's zones.--
76	(1)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.--
77	(a)  The Legislature finds that:
78	1.  There are neighborhoods in the state where the
79	infrastructure and opportunities that middle-class communities
80	take for granted are nonexistent or so marginal that they are
81	ineffective.
82	2.  Children living in these neighborhoods are read to by
83	an adult on a regular basis and attend a prekindergarten
84	education program at a much lower rate than children in other
85	communities. These children experience below-average performance
86	on standardized tests and graduate from high school in fewer
87	numbers. Most of these children are eligible for the free or
88	reduced-price school lunch program.
89	3.  Children in these neighborhoods often suffer from high
90	rates of asthma, a higher risk of lead poisoning, and inadequate
91	health care, and they are routinely exposed to violence and
92	crime.
93	4.  In spite of these obstacles, these neighborhoods are
94	many times home to strong individuals and institutions that are
95	committed to making a difference in the lives of children and
96	their families.
97	(b)  It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to
98	assist disadvantaged areas within the state in creating a
99	community-based service network that develops, coordinates, and
100	provides quality education, accessible health care, youth
101	development programs, opportunities for employment, and safe and
102	affordable housing for children and families living within its
103	boundaries.
104	(2)  POLICY AND PURPOSE.--It is the policy of this state to
105	provide the necessary means to assist local communities, the
106	children and families who live in those communities, and the
107	private sector in creating a sound educational, social, and
108	economic environment. To achieve this objective, the state
109	intends to provide investments sufficient to encourage community
110	partners to commit financial and other resources to severely
111	disadvantaged areas. The purpose of this section is to establish
112	a process that clearly identifies the severely disadvantaged
113	areas and provides guidance for developing a new social service
114	paradigm that systematically coordinates programs that address
115	the critical needs of children and their families and for
116	directing efforts to rebuild the basic infrastructure of the
117	community. The Legislature, therefore, declares the creation of
118	children's zones, through the collaborative efforts of
119	government and the private sector, to be a public purpose.
120	(3)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:
121	(a)  "Governing body" means the commission or other
122	legislative body charged with governing a county or
123	municipality.
124	(b)  "Ounce" means the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida,
125	Inc.
126	(c)  "Planning team" means a children's zone planning team
127	established under this section.
128	(d)  "Resident" means a person who lives or operates a
129	small community-based business or organization within the
130	boundaries of the children's zone.
131	(4)  CHILDREN'S ZONE NOMINATING PROCESS.--A county or
132	municipality, or a county and one or more municipalities
133	together, may apply to the Ounce to designate an area as a
134	children's zone after the governing body:
135	(a)  Adopts a resolution that:
136	1.  Finds that an area exists in such county or
137	municipality, or in the county and one or more municipalities,
138	that chronically exhibits extreme and unacceptable levels of
139	poverty, unemployment, physical deterioration, as well as
140	limited access to quality educational, health care, and social
141	services.
142	2.  Determines that the rehabilitation, conservation, or
143	redevelopment, or a combination thereof, of the area is
144	necessary in the interest of improving the health, wellness,
145	education, living conditions, and livelihoods of the children
146	and families who live in the county or municipality.
147	3.  Determines that the revitalization of the area can
148	occur only if the state and the private sector invest resources
149	to improve infrastructure and the provision of services.
150	(b)  Establishes a children's zone planning team as
151	provided in subsection (5).
152	(c)  Develops and adopts a strategic community plan as
153	provided in subsection (6).
154	(d)  Creates a corporation not for profit as provided in
155	subsection (7).
156	(5)  CHILDREN'S ZONE PLANNING TEAM.--
157	(a)  After the governing body adopts the resolution
158	described in subsection (4), the county or municipality shall
159	establish a children's zone planning team.
160	(b)  The planning team shall include residents and
161	representatives from community-based organizations and other
162	community institutions. At least half of the members of the
163	planning team shall be residents.
164	(c)  The planning team shall:
165	1.  Develop a planning process that sets the direction for,
166	builds a commitment to, and develops the capacity to realize the
167	children's zone concept.
168	2.  Develop a vision of what the children's zone will look
169	like when the challenges, problems, and opportunities in the
170	children's zone are successfully addressed.
171	3.  Identify important opportunities, strengths,
172	challenges, and problems in the children's zone.
173	4.  Develop a strategic community plan consisting of goals,
174	objectives, tasks, the designation of responsible parties, the
175	identification of resources needed, timelines for implementation
176	of the plan, and procedures for monitoring outcomes.
177	(d)  The planning team shall designate working groups to
178	specifically address each of the following focus areas:
179	1.  Early development and care of children.
180	2.  Education of children and youth.
181	3.  Health and wellness.
182	4.  Youth support.
183	5.  Parent and guardian support.
184	6.  Adult education, training, and jobs.
185	7.  Community safety.
186	8.  Housing and community development.
187	(6)  CHILDREN'S ZONE STRATEGIC COMMUNITY PLAN.--After the
188	governing body adopts the resolution described in subsection
189	(4), the working groups shall develop objectives and identify
190	strategies for each focus area. The objectives, specified by
191	focus area, for a working group may include, but not be limited
192	to:
193	(a)  Early development and care of children.
194	1.  Providing resources to enable every child to be
195	adequately nurtured during the first 3 years of life.
196	2.  Ensuring that all schools are ready for children and
197	all children are ready for school.
198	3.  Facilitating enrollment in half-day or full-day
199	prekindergarten for all 3-year old and 4-year old children.
200	4.  Strengthening parent and guardian relationships with
201	care providers.
202	5.  Providing support and education for families and child
203	care providers.
204	(b)  Education of children and youth.
205	1.  Increasing the level and degree of accountability of
206	persons who are responsible for the development and well-being
207	of all children in the children's zone.
208	2.  Changing the structure and function of schools to
209	increase the quality and amount of time spent on instruction and
210	increase programmatic options and offerings.
211	3.  Creating a safe and respectful environment for student
212	learning.
213	4.  Identifying and supporting points of alignment between
214	the children's zone community plan and the school district's
215	strategic plan.
216	(c)  Health and wellness.
217	1.  Facilitating enrollment of all eligible children in the
218	Florida Kidcare program and providing full access to high-
219	quality drug and alcohol treatment services.
220	2.  Eliminating health disparities between racial and
221	cultural groups, including improving outcomes and increasing
222	interventions.
223	3.  Providing fresh, good quality, affordable, and
224	nutritious food within the children's zone.
225	4.  Providing all children in the children's zone with
226	access to safe structured and unstructured recreation.
227	(d)  Youth support.
228	1.  Increasing the high school graduation rate.
229	2.  Increasing leadership development and employment
230	opportunities for youth.
231	(e)  Parent and guardian support.
232	1.  Increasing parent and adult literacy.
233	2.  Expanding access for parents to critical resources,
234	such as jobs, transportation, day care, and after-school care.
235	3.  Improving the effectiveness of the ways in which
236	support systems communicate and collaborate with parents and the
237	ways in which parents communicate and collaborate with support
238	systems.
239	4.  Making the services of the Healthy Families Florida
240	program available to provide multiyear support to expectant
241	parents and persons caring for infants and toddlers.
242	(f)  Adult education, training, and jobs.
243	1.  Creating job opportunities for adults that lead to
244	career development.
245	2.  Establishing a career and technical school or a
246	satellite of such a school in the children's zone that includes
247	a one-stop career center.
248	(g)  Community safety.
249	1.  Providing a safe environment for all children at home,
250	in school, and in the community.
251	2.  Eliminating the economic, political, and social forces
252	that lead to a lack of safety within the family, the community,
253	schools, and institutional structures.
254	3.  Assessing policies and practices, including sentencing,
255	incarceration, detention, and data reporting, in order to reduce
256	youth violence, crime, and recidivism.
257	(h)  Housing and community development.
258	1.  Strengthening the residential real estate market.
259	2.  Building on existing efforts to promote socioeconomic
260	diversity when developing a comprehensive land use strategic
261	plan.
262	3.  Promoting neighborhood beautification strategies.
263	(7)  CHILDREN'S ZONE CORPORATION.--After the governing body
264	adopts the resolution described in subsection (4), the county or
265	municipality shall create a corporation not for profit which
266	shall be registered, incorporated, organized, and operated in
267	compliance with chapter 617. The purpose of the corporation is
268	to facilitate fundraising, to secure broad community ownership
269	of the children's zone, and, if the area selected by the
270	governing body is designated as a children's zone, to:
271	(a)  Begin to transfer responsibility for planning from the
272	planning team to the corporation.
273	(b)  Begin the implementation and governance of the
274	children's zone community plan.
275	(8)  CREATION OF MAGIC CITY CHILDREN'S ZONE, INC., PILOT
276	PROJECT.--
277	(a)  There is created within the Liberty City neighborhood
278	in Miami-Dade County a 10-year pilot project zone that, by
279	November 1, 2008, shall be managed by an entity organized as a
280	corporation not for profit which shall be registered,
281	incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance with chapter
282	617. The corporation shall be known as the Magic City Children's
283	Zone, Inc., and shall be administratively housed within the
284	Belafonte Tacolcy Center. However, Magic City Children's Zone,
285	Inc., is not subject to control, supervision, or direction by
286	the Belafonte Tacolcy Center in any manner. The Legislature
287	determines, however, that public policy dictates that the
288	corporation operate in the most open and accessible manner
289	consistent with its public purpose. Therefore, the Legislature
290	specifically declares that the corporation is subject to chapter
291	119, relating to public records, chapter 286, relating to public
292	meetings and records, and chapter 287, relating to procurement
293	of commodities or contractual services.
294	(b)  This pilot project zone is designed to encompass an
295	area that is large enough to include all of the necessary
296	components of community life, including, but not limited to,
297	schools, places of worship, recreational facilities, commercial
298	areas, and common space, yet small enough to allow programs and
299	services to reach every willing member of the neighborhood.
300	Therefore, the geographic boundaries of the pilot project zone
301	are:
302	1.  Northwest 79th Street to the north;
303	2.  Northwest 36th Street to the south;
304	3.  North Miami Avenue to the east; and
305	4.  Northwest 27th Avenue to the west.
306	(c)1.  The corporation shall be governed by a 15-member
307	board of directors. The board of directors shall consist of the
308	following members:
309	a.  The chief executive officer of the Belafonte Tacolcy
310	Center.
311	b.  The executive director of the Carrie P. Meek
312	Entrepreneurial Education Center, Miami-Dade College.
313	c.  The director of the Parks and Recreation Department of
314	the City of Miami.
315	d.  The director of the Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center.
316	e.  The chief executive officer of the Urban League of
317	Greater Miami.
318	f.  The director of the Liberty City Service Partnership.
319	g.  The regional superintendent of the Miami-Dade County
320	Public Schools.
321	h.  The president of the Student Government Association of
322	Northwestern High School.
323	i.  The president of the Student Government Association of
324	Edison High School.
325	j.  The president of the Parent Teacher Student Association
326	of Northwestern High School.
327	k.  The president of the Parent Teacher Student Association
328	of Edison High School.
329	l.  Four members from the local private business sector, to
330	be appointed by a majority vote of the members designated in
331	sub-subparagraphs a.-k., all of whom must have significant
332	experience in one of the focus areas specified in subsection
333	(6).
334	2.  All members of the board of directors shall be
335	appointed no later than 90 days following the incorporation of
336	the Magic City Children's Zone, Inc., and:
337	a.  Eleven members initially appointed pursuant to this
338	paragraph shall each serve a 4-year term.
339	b.  The remaining initial four appointees shall each serve
340	a 2-year term.
341	c.  Each member appointed thereafter shall serve a 4-year
342	term.
343	d.  A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner in which
344	the original appointment was made, and a member appointed to
345	fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of that term.
346	e.  A member may not serve more than 8 years in consecutive
347	terms.
348	3.  The board of directors shall annually elect a
349	chairperson and a vice chairperson from among the board's
350	members. The members may, by a vote of eight members, remove a
351	member from the position of chairperson or vice chairperson
352	before the expiration of his or her term as chairperson or vice
353	chairperson. His or her successor shall be elected to serve for
354	the balance of the term of the chairperson or vice chairperson
355	who was removed.
356	4.  The board of directors shall meet at least four times
357	each year upon the call of the chairperson, at the request of
358	the vice chairperson, or at the request of a majority of the
359	membership. A majority of the membership constitutes a quorum.
360	The board of directors may take official action by a majority
361	vote of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is
362	present. The board may conduct its meetings through
363	teleconferences or other similar means.
364	5.  A member of the board of directors may be removed by a
365	majority of the membership. Absence from three consecutive
366	meetings results in automatic removal.
367	6.  Each member of the board of directors shall serve
368	without compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for per
369	diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061 while in the
370	performance of his or her duties.
371	7.  The corporation shall create a standing advisory board
372	to assist in any part of its delegated duties. The membership of
373	the standing advisory board shall reflect the expertise
374	necessary for the implementation of the children's zone pilot
375	project.
376	8.  The board of directors has the power and duty to:
377	a.  Adopt articles of incorporation and bylaws necessary to
378	govern its activities.
379	b.  Begin to transfer responsibility for planning from the
380	children's zone planning team to the corporation.
381	c.  Begin the implementation and governance of the
382	children's zone community plan.
383	d.  Enter into a contract with a management consultant who
384	has experience working with social service and educational
385	entities for the purpose of developing a 10-year comprehensive
386	business plan to carry out the provisions of this section.
387	(d)  Magic City Children's Zone, Inc., shall submit an
388	annual report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
389	the House of Representatives by January 31, 2009, and by January
390	31 of each year thereafter, which shall include a comprehensive
391	and detailed report of its operations, activities, and
392	accomplishments for the prior year as well as its goals for the
393	current year. The initial report shall also include information
394	concerning the status of the development of a business plan.
395	(9)  CREATION OF JACKSONVILLE CHILDREN'S ZONE PILOT
396	PROJECT.--
397	(a)  There is created within the Grand Park/New Town
398	Neighborhood in the City of Jacksonville a 10-year-pilot project
399	zone that, by November 1, 2008, shall be managed by an entity
400	organized as a corporation not for profit which shall be
401	registered, incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance
402	with chapter 617. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection
403	(7), a request for proposals shall be issued to identify an
404	existing qualified, not-for-profit corporation to implement the
405	program. The Legislature determines, however, that public policy
406	dictates that the corporation operate in the most open and
407	accessible manner consistent with its public purpose. Therefore,
408	the Legislature specifically declares that the corporation is
409	subject to chapter 119, relating to public records, chapter 286,
410	relating to public meetings and records, and chapter 287,
411	relating to procurement of commodities or contractual services.
412	(b)  This pilot project zone is designed to encompass an
413	area that is large enough to include all of the necessary
414	components of community life, including, but not limited to,
415	schools, places of worship, recreational facilities, commercial
416	areas, and common space, yet small enough to allow programs and
417	services to reach every willing member of the neighborhood.
418	Therefore, the geographic boundaries of the pilot project zone
419	are:
420	1.  West 21st Street to the north;
421	2.  West Beaver Street to the south;
422	3.  Myrtle Avenue, Kings Road, and Canal Street to the
423	east; and
424	4.  Division Street and CSX Railroad to the west.
425	(c)  The Jacksonville Children's Zone shall be managed by
426	the selected not-for-profit corporation.
427	(d)  The corporation shall enter into a contract with a
428	management consultant who has experience working with social
429	service and educational entities for the purpose of developing a
430	10-year comprehensive business plan to carry out the provisions
431	of this subsection.
432	(e)  To assist with such management, an oversight committee
433	shall be created within the not-for-profit corporation that may
434	include, but is not limited to, the following members:
435	1.  The president of Edward Waters College.
436	2.  The principal of Smart Pope Livingston Elementary
437	School.
438	3.  The principal of Eugene Butler Middle School.
439	4.  The principal of Grand Park Alternative School.
440	5.  A representative of the Northwest Citizens Planning
441	Advisory Committee, District 5.
442	6.  A business representative from the Jacksonville
443	Children's Zone.
444	7.  A representative of a faith-based organization that
445	operates in the Jacksonville Children's Zone.
446	8.  A youth member who lives in the Jacksonville Children's
447	Zone.
448	9.  A parent or guardian who lives in the Jacksonville
449	Children's Zone.
450	10.  The director of the Jacksonville Children's
451	Commission.
452	11.  The director of the Recreation and Community Services
453	Department of the City of Jacksonville.
454	12.  The director of the Duval County Health Department.
455	13.  A representative of the Department of Children and
456	Family Services.
457	14.  Three additional members who may or may not live in
458	the Jacksonville Children's Zone.
459	(f)  The Jacksonville Children's Zone shall submit an
460	annual report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
461	the House of Representatives by January 31, 2009, and by January
462	31 of each year thereafter, which shall include a comprehensive
463	and detailed report of operations, activities, and
464	accomplishments for the prior year as well as its goals for the
465	current year. The initial report shall also include information
466	concerning the status of the development of a business plan.
467	Section 2.  The Department of Children and Family Services
468	shall contract with an existing private not-for-profit
469	corporation incorporated for the purpose of identifying,
470	funding, supporting, and evaluating programs and community
471	initiatives to improve the development and life outcomes of
472	children and to preserve and strengthen families with a primary
473	emphasis on education and community support. The existing
474	private not-for-profit corporation shall be responsible for the
475	evaluation, fiscal management, and oversight of the Magic City
476	Children's Zone, Inc., and the Jacksonville Children's Zone
477	pilot projects.
478	Section 3.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008,
479	subject to a specific appropriation to provide a grant for a 3-
480	year period for the purpose of implementing this act, which
481	includes contracting with a not-for-profit corporation for the
482	development of a business plan and for the evaluation, fiscal
483	management, and oversight of the Magic City Children's Zone,
484	Inc., and Jacksonville Children's Zone pilot projects.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.