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; establishing the Orlando
34	Children's Zone pilot project; providing for management by
35	the City of Orlando or a not-for-profit corporation;
36	providing geographic boundaries for the zone; providing
37	for funding for the zone to be disbursed through a donor-
38	advised fund; providing a definition; providing for
39	advisory groups; providing for reports to the Legislature;
40	requiring the Department of Children and Family Services
41	to contract with certain private not-for-profit
42	corporations for specified purposes; requiring the
43	corporation to provide evaluation, fiscal management, and
44	oversight of the Magic City Children's Zone, Inc., and the
45	Jacksonville Children's Zone pilot projects; providing a
46	contingent effective date.
47
48	WHEREAS, the State of Florida is often referred to as the
49	Sunshine State, a term that suggests warm weather, a carefree
50	lifestyle, and unlimited potential for nurturing hope and
51	realizing dreams for a fulfilling and productive life, and
52	WHEREAS, communities within the state suffering from
53	fragile infrastructures and multiple social ills are home to
54	families for whom those obstacles limit, or completely preclude,
55	their ability to create a good quality of life for themselves
56	and for their children, and
57	WHEREAS, a proposed community initiative known as a
58	children's zone, which is modeled after the long-established and
59	successful Harlem Children's Zone, seeks to change that
60	experience, and
61	WHEREAS, the initiative will be based on the belief that in
62	order to help children from troubled communities become healthy
63	adults and responsible, fulfilled members of their communities,
64	two things must happen: first, they must be surrounded by a
65	critical mass of adults who are effective parents engaged in
66	activities with their children; and second, early in their
67	lives, they must be exposed to sound health care, intellectual
68	and social stimulation, and consistent guidance from loving,
69	attentive adults, and
70	WHEREAS, the initiative seeks to establish a comprehensive,
71	community-based, coordinated, and targeted system of strategies
72	and services to revitalize communities with an increased sense
73	of culture, pride, and togetherness, to support parents, and to
74	provide comprehensive care for all children within the zone,
75	NOW, THEREFORE,
76
77	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
78
79	Section 1.  Section 409.147, Florida Statutes, is created
80	to read:
81	409.147  Children's zones.--
82	(1)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.--
83	(a)  The Legislature finds that:
84	1.  There are neighborhoods in the state where the
85	infrastructure and opportunities that middle-class communities
86	take for granted are nonexistent or so marginal that they are
87	ineffective.
88	2.  Children living in these neighborhoods are read to by
89	an adult on a regular basis and attend a prekindergarten
90	education program at a much lower rate than children in other
91	communities. These children experience below-average performance
92	on standardized tests and graduate from high school in fewer
93	numbers. Most of these children are eligible for the free or
94	reduced-price school lunch program.
95	3.  Children in these neighborhoods often suffer from high
96	rates of asthma, a higher risk of lead poisoning, and inadequate
97	health care, and they are routinely exposed to violence and
98	crime.
99	4.  In spite of these obstacles, these neighborhoods are
100	many times home to strong individuals and institutions that are
101	committed to making a difference in the lives of children and
102	their families.
103	(b)  It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to
104	assist disadvantaged areas within the state in creating a
105	community-based service network that develops, coordinates, and
106	provides quality education, accessible health care, youth
107	development programs, opportunities for employment, and safe and
108	affordable housing for children and families living within its
109	boundaries.
110	(2)  POLICY AND PURPOSE.--It is the policy of this state to
111	provide the necessary means to assist local communities, the
112	children and families who live in those communities, and the
113	private sector in creating a sound educational, social, and
114	economic environment. To achieve this objective, the state
115	intends to provide investments sufficient to encourage community
116	partners to commit financial and other resources to severely
117	disadvantaged areas. The purpose of this section is to establish
118	a process that clearly identifies the severely disadvantaged
119	areas and provides guidance for developing a new social service
120	paradigm that systematically coordinates programs that address
121	the critical needs of children and their families and for
122	directing efforts to rebuild the basic infrastructure of the
123	community. The Legislature, therefore, declares the creation of
124	children's zones, through the collaborative efforts of
125	government and the private sector, to be a public purpose.
126	(3)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:
127	(a)  "Governing body" means the commission or other
128	legislative body charged with governing a county or
129	municipality.
130	(b)  "Ounce" means the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida,
131	Inc.
132	(c)  "Planning team" means a children's zone planning team
133	established under this section.
134	(d)  "Resident" means a person who lives or operates a
135	small community-based business or organization within the
136	boundaries of the children's zone.
137	(4)  CHILDREN'S ZONE NOMINATING PROCESS.--A county or
138	municipality, or a county and one or more municipalities
139	together, may apply to the Ounce to designate an area as a
140	children's zone after the governing body:
141	(a)  Adopts a resolution that:
142	1.  Finds that an area exists in such county or
143	municipality, or in the county and one or more municipalities,
144	that chronically exhibits extreme and unacceptable levels of
145	poverty, unemployment, physical deterioration, as well as
146	limited access to quality educational, health care, and social
147	services.
148	2.  Determines that the rehabilitation, conservation, or
149	redevelopment, or a combination thereof, of the area is
150	necessary in the interest of improving the health, wellness,
151	education, living conditions, and livelihoods of the children
152	and families who live in the county or municipality.
153	3.  Determines that the revitalization of the area can
154	occur only if the state and the private sector invest resources
155	to improve infrastructure and the provision of services.
156	(b)  Establishes a children's zone planning team as
157	provided in subsection (5).
158	(c)  Develops and adopts a strategic community plan as
159	provided in subsection (6).
160	(d)  Creates a corporation not for profit as provided in
161	subsection (7).
162	(5)  CHILDREN'S ZONE PLANNING TEAM.--
163	(a)  After the governing body adopts the resolution
164	described in subsection (4), the county or municipality shall
165	establish a children's zone planning team.
166	(b)  The planning team shall include residents and
167	representatives from community-based organizations and other
168	community institutions. At least half of the members of the
169	planning team shall be residents.
170	(c)  The planning team shall:
171	1.  Develop a planning process that sets the direction for,
172	builds a commitment to, and develops the capacity to realize the
173	children's zone concept.
174	2.  Develop a vision of what the children's zone will look
175	like when the challenges, problems, and opportunities in the
176	children's zone are successfully addressed.
177	3.  Identify important opportunities, strengths,
178	challenges, and problems in the children's zone.
179	4.  Develop a strategic community plan consisting of goals,
180	objectives, tasks, the designation of responsible parties, the
181	identification of resources needed, timelines for implementation
182	of the plan, and procedures for monitoring outcomes.
183	(d)  The planning team shall designate working groups to
184	specifically address each of the following focus areas:
185	1.  Early development and care of children.
186	2.  Education of children and youth.
187	3.  Health and wellness.
188	4.  Youth support.
189	5.  Parent and guardian support.
190	6.  Adult education, training, and jobs.
191	7.  Community safety.
192	8.  Housing and community development.
193	(6)  CHILDREN'S ZONE STRATEGIC COMMUNITY PLAN.--After the
194	governing body adopts the resolution described in subsection
195	(4), the working groups shall develop objectives and identify
196	strategies for each focus area. The objectives, specified by
197	focus area, for a working group may include, but not be limited
198	to:
199	(a)  Early development and care of children.
200	1.  Providing resources to enable every child to be
201	adequately nurtured during the first 3 years of life.
202	2.  Ensuring that all schools are ready for children and
203	all children are ready for school.
204	3.  Facilitating enrollment in half-day or full-day
205	prekindergarten for all 3-year old and 4-year old children.
206	4.  Strengthening parent and guardian relationships with
207	care providers.
208	5.  Providing support and education for families and child
209	care providers.
210	(b)  Education of children and youth.
211	1.  Increasing the level and degree of accountability of
212	persons who are responsible for the development and well-being
213	of all children in the children's zone.
214	2.  Changing the structure and function of schools to
215	increase the quality and amount of time spent on instruction and
216	increase programmatic options and offerings.
217	3.  Creating a safe and respectful environment for student
218	learning.
219	4.  Identifying and supporting points of alignment between
220	the children's zone community plan and the school district's
221	strategic plan.
222	(c)  Health and wellness.
223	1.  Facilitating enrollment of all eligible children in the
224	Florida Kidcare program and providing full access to high-
225	quality drug and alcohol treatment services.
226	2.  Eliminating health disparities between racial and
227	cultural groups, including improving outcomes and increasing
228	interventions.
229	3.  Providing fresh, good quality, affordable, and
230	nutritious food within the children's zone.
231	4.  Providing all children in the children's zone with
232	access to safe structured and unstructured recreation.
233	(d)  Youth support.
234	1.  Increasing the high school graduation rate.
235	2.  Increasing leadership development and employment
236	opportunities for youth.
237	(e)  Parent and guardian support.
238	1.  Increasing parent and adult literacy.
239	2.  Expanding access for parents to critical resources,
240	such as jobs, transportation, day care, and after-school care.
241	3.  Improving the effectiveness of the ways in which
242	support systems communicate and collaborate with parents and the
243	ways in which parents communicate and collaborate with support
244	systems.
245	4.  Making the services of the Healthy Families Florida
246	program available to provide multiyear support to expectant
247	parents and persons caring for infants and toddlers.
248	(f)  Adult education, training, and jobs.
249	1.  Creating job opportunities for adults that lead to
250	career development.
251	2.  Establishing a career and technical school or a
252	satellite of such a school in the children's zone that includes
253	a one-stop career center.
254	(g)  Community safety.
255	1.  Providing a safe environment for all children at home,
256	in school, and in the community.
257	2.  Eliminating the economic, political, and social forces
258	that lead to a lack of safety within the family, the community,
259	schools, and institutional structures.
260	3.  Assessing policies and practices, including sentencing,
261	incarceration, detention, and data reporting, in order to reduce
262	youth violence, crime, and recidivism.
263	(h)  Housing and community development.
264	1.  Strengthening the residential real estate market.
265	2.  Building on existing efforts to promote socioeconomic
266	diversity when developing a comprehensive land use strategic
267	plan.
268	3.  Promoting neighborhood beautification strategies.
269	(7)  CHILDREN'S ZONE CORPORATION.--After the governing body
270	adopts the resolution described in subsection (4), the county or
271	municipality shall create a corporation not for profit which
272	shall be registered, incorporated, organized, and operated in
273	compliance with chapter 617. The purpose of the corporation is
274	to facilitate fundraising, to secure broad community ownership
275	of the children's zone, and, if the area selected by the
276	governing body is designated as a children's zone, to:
277	(a)  Begin to transfer responsibility for planning from the
278	planning team to the corporation.
279	(b)  Begin the implementation and governance of the
280	children's zone community plan.
281	(8)  CREATION OF MAGIC CITY CHILDREN'S ZONE, INC., PILOT
282	PROJECT.--
283	(a)  There is created within the Liberty City neighborhood
284	in Miami-Dade County a 10-year pilot project zone that, by
285	November 1, 2008, shall be managed by an entity organized as a
286	corporation not for profit which shall be registered,
287	incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance with chapter
288	617. The corporation shall be known as the Magic City Children's
289	Zone, Inc., and shall be administratively housed within the
290	Belafonte Tacolcy Center. However, Magic City Children's Zone,
291	Inc., is not subject to control, supervision, or direction by
292	the Belafonte Tacolcy Center in any manner. The Legislature
293	determines, however, that public policy dictates that the
294	corporation operate in the most open and accessible manner
295	consistent with its public purpose. Therefore, the Legislature
296	specifically declares that the corporation is subject to chapter
297	119, relating to public records, chapter 286, relating to public
298	meetings and records, and chapter 287, relating to procurement
299	of commodities or contractual services.
300	(b)  This pilot project zone is designed to encompass an
301	area that is large enough to include all of the necessary
302	components of community life, including, but not limited to,
303	schools, places of worship, recreational facilities, commercial
304	areas, and common space, yet small enough to allow programs and
305	services to reach every willing member of the neighborhood.
306	Therefore, the geographic boundaries of the pilot project zone
307	are:
308	1.  Northwest 79th Street to the north;
309	2.  Northwest 36th Street to the south;
310	3.  North Miami Avenue to the east; and
311	4.  Northwest 27th Avenue to the west.
312	(c)1.  The corporation shall be governed by a 15-member
313	board of directors. The board of directors shall consist of the
314	following members:
315	a.  The chief executive officer of the Belafonte Tacolcy
316	Center.
317	b.  The executive director of the Carrie P. Meek
318	Entrepreneurial Education Center, Miami-Dade College.
319	c.  The director of the Parks and Recreation Department of
320	the City of Miami.
321	d.  The director of the Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center.
322	e.  The chief executive officer of the Urban League of
323	Greater Miami.
324	f.  The director of the Liberty City Service Partnership.
325	g.  The regional superintendent of the Miami-Dade County
326	Public Schools.
327	h.  The president of the Student Government Association of
328	Northwestern High School.
329	i.  The president of the Student Government Association of
330	Edison High School.
331	j.  The president of the Parent Teacher Student Association
332	of Northwestern High School.
333	k.  The president of the Parent Teacher Student Association
334	of Edison High School.
335	l.  Four members from the local private business sector, to
336	be appointed by a majority vote of the members designated in
337	sub-subparagraphs a.-k., all of whom must have significant
338	experience in one of the focus areas specified in subsection
339	(6).
340	2.  All members of the board of directors shall be
341	appointed no later than 90 days following the incorporation of
342	the Magic City Children's Zone, Inc., and:
343	a.  Eleven members initially appointed pursuant to this
344	paragraph shall each serve a 4-year term.
345	b.  The remaining initial four appointees shall each serve
346	a 2-year term.
347	c.  Each member appointed thereafter shall serve a 4-year
348	term.
349	d.  A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner in which
350	the original appointment was made, and a member appointed to
351	fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of that term.
352	e.  A member may not serve more than 8 years in consecutive
353	terms.
354	3.  The board of directors shall annually elect a
355	chairperson and a vice chairperson from among the board's
356	members. The members may, by a vote of eight members, remove a
357	member from the position of chairperson or vice chairperson
358	before the expiration of his or her term as chairperson or vice
359	chairperson. His or her successor shall be elected to serve for
360	the balance of the term of the chairperson or vice chairperson
361	who was removed.
362	4.  The board of directors shall meet at least four times
363	each year upon the call of the chairperson, at the request of
364	the vice chairperson, or at the request of a majority of the
365	membership. A majority of the membership constitutes a quorum.
366	The board of directors may take official action by a majority
367	vote of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is
368	present. The board may conduct its meetings through
369	teleconferences or other similar means.
370	5.  A member of the board of directors may be removed by a
371	majority of the membership. Absence from three consecutive
372	meetings results in automatic removal.
373	6.  Each member of the board of directors shall serve
374	without compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for per
375	diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061 while in the
376	performance of his or her duties.
377	7.  The corporation shall create a standing advisory board
378	to assist in any part of its delegated duties. The membership of
379	the standing advisory board shall reflect the expertise
380	necessary for the implementation of the children's zone pilot
381	project.
382	8.  The board of directors has the power and duty to:
383	a.  Adopt articles of incorporation and bylaws necessary to
384	govern its activities.
385	b.  Begin to transfer responsibility for planning from the
386	children's zone planning team to the corporation.
387	c.  Begin the implementation and governance of the
388	children's zone community plan.
389	d.  Enter into a contract with a management consultant who
390	has experience working with social service and educational
391	entities for the purpose of developing a 10-year comprehensive
392	business plan to carry out the provisions of this section.
393	(d)  Magic City Children's Zone, Inc., shall submit an
394	annual report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
395	the House of Representatives by January 31, 2009, and by January
396	31 of each year thereafter, which shall include a comprehensive
397	and detailed report of its operations, activities, and
398	accomplishments for the prior year as well as its goals for the
399	current year. The initial report shall also include information
400	concerning the status of the development of a business plan.
401	(9)  CREATION OF JACKSONVILLE CHILDREN'S ZONE PILOT
402	PROJECT.--
403	(a)  There is created within the Grand Park/New Town
404	Neighborhood in the City of Jacksonville a 10-year-pilot project
405	zone that, by November 1, 2008, shall be managed by an entity
406	organized as a corporation not for profit which shall be
407	registered, incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance
408	with chapter 617. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection
409	(7), a request for proposals shall be issued to identify an
410	existing qualified, not-for-profit corporation to implement the
411	program. The Legislature determines, however, that public policy
412	dictates that the corporation operate in the most open and
413	accessible manner consistent with its public purpose. Therefore,
414	the Legislature specifically declares that the corporation is
415	subject to chapter 119, relating to public records, chapter 286,
416	relating to public meetings and records, and chapter 287,
417	relating to procurement of commodities or contractual services.
418	(b)  This pilot project zone is designed to encompass an
419	area that is large enough to include all of the necessary
420	components of community life, including, but not limited to,
421	schools, places of worship, recreational facilities, commercial
422	areas, and common space, yet small enough to allow programs and
423	services to reach every willing member of the neighborhood.
424	Therefore, the geographic boundaries of the pilot project zone
425	are:
426	1.  West 21st Street to the north;
427	2.  West Beaver Street to the south;
428	3.  Myrtle Avenue, Kings Road, and Canal Street to the
429	east; and
430	4.  Division Street and CSX Railroad to the west.
431	(c)  The Jacksonville Children's Zone shall be managed by
432	the selected not-for-profit corporation.
433	(d)  The corporation shall enter into a contract with a
434	management consultant who has experience working with social
435	service and educational entities for the purpose of developing a
436	10-year comprehensive business plan to carry out the provisions
437	of this subsection.
438	(e)  To assist with such management, an oversight committee
439	shall be created within the not-for-profit corporation that may
440	include, but is not limited to, the following members:
441	1.  The president of Edward Waters College.
442	2.  The principal of Smart Pope Livingston Elementary
443	School.
444	3.  The principal of Eugene Butler Middle School.
445	4.  The principal of Grand Park Alternative School.
446	5.  A representative of the Northwest Citizens Planning
447	Advisory Committee, District 5.
448	6.  A business representative from the Jacksonville
449	Children's Zone.
450	7.  A representative of a faith-based organization that
451	operates in the Jacksonville Children's Zone.
452	8.  A youth member who lives in the Jacksonville Children's
453	Zone.
454	9.  A parent or guardian who lives in the Jacksonville
455	Children's Zone.
456	10.  The director of the Jacksonville Children's
457	Commission.
458	11.  The director of the Recreation and Community Services
459	Department of the City of Jacksonville.
460	12.  The director of the Duval County Health Department.
461	13.  A representative of the Department of Children and
462	Family Services.
463	14.  Three additional members who may or may not live in
464	the Jacksonville Children's Zone.
465	(f)  The Jacksonville Children's Zone shall submit an
466	annual report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of
467	the House of Representatives by January 31, 2009, and by January
468	31 of each year thereafter, which shall include a comprehensive
469	and detailed report of operations, activities, and
470	accomplishments for the prior year as well as its goals for the
471	current year. The initial report shall also include information
472	concerning the status of the development of a business plan.
473	(10)  CREATION OF ORLANDO CHILDREN'S ZONE PILOT PROJECT.--
474	(a)  There is created within the Parramore Heritage
475	Community in the City of Orlando a 10-year-pilot project zone
476	that shall be the Orlando Children's Zone, which shall be
477	managed by the City of Orlando or a not-for-profit corporation
478	designated by the City of Orlando to manage the pilot project
479	and designated as a children's zone.
480	(b)  This pilot project zone encompasses a 1.4 square-mile
481	community in which more than 2,000 children from birth to 18
482	years of age reside and encompasses an area that is large enough
483	to include all of the necessary components of community life,
484	including , but not limited to, schools, places of worship,
485	recreational facilities, commercial areas, and common space, yet
486	small enough to allow programs and services to reach every
487	willing member of the neighborhood. The geographic boundaries of
488	the Orlando Children's Zone pilot project are:
489	1.  State Road 50 to the north;
490	2.  Gore Street to the south;
491	3.  Interstate 4 to the east; and
492	4.  Orange Blossom Trail to the west.
493	(c)  The Orlando Children's Zone pilot project shall be
494	managed by the City of Orlando or a not-for-profit corporation
495	designated by the City of Orlando to manage the pilot project.
496	Pilot project funding shall be dispersed through a donor-advised
497	fund. The term "donor-advised fund" means a management and
498	investment vehicle for the receipt of charitable contributions,
499	the assets of which are owned and held by a charitable not-for-
500	profit corporation for distribution for such charitable purposes
501	as determined by the entity establishing the fund.
502	(d)  The Orlando Children's Zone pilot project shall
503	include, in an advisory capacity, representatives from business,
504	governmental, and community groups operating within the Orlando
505	Children's Zone pilot project boundaries.
506	(e)  The Orlando Children's Zone pilot project shall submit
507	an annual report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker
508	of the House of Representatives by January 31, 2009, and by
509	January 31 of each year thereafter, which shall include a
510	comprehensive and detailed report of operations, activities, and
511	accomplishments for the prior year as well as its goals for the
512	current year.
513	Section 2.  The Department of Children and Family Services
514	shall contract with an existing private not-for-profit
515	corporation incorporated for the purpose of identifying,
516	funding, supporting, and evaluating programs and community
517	initiatives to improve the development and life outcomes of
518	children and to preserve and strengthen families with a primary
519	emphasis on education and community support. The existing
520	private not-for-profit corporation shall be responsible for the
521	evaluation, fiscal management, and oversight of the Magic City
522	Children's Zone, Inc., and the Jacksonville Children's Zone
523	pilot projects.
524	Section 3.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008,
525	subject to a specific appropriation to provide a grant for a 3-
526	year period for the purpose of implementing this act, which
527	includes contracting with a not-for-profit corporation for the
528	development of a business plan and for the evaluation, fiscal
529	management, and oversight of the Magic City Children's Zone,
530	Inc., and Jacksonville Children's Zone pilot projects.

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