Florida Senate - 2012 (NP) SR 2132 By Senator Storms 10-03842-12 20122132__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing the 60th Anniversary of the 3 Florida Coalition for Children. 4 5 WHEREAS, in 1952, a small group of private, nonprofit 6 child-serving agencies banded together to promote better quality 7 in the services provided to the children of this state, and 8 WHEREAS, this small group has grown over the years to 9 represent nearly 60 agencies that annually provide critical care 10 to 50,000 vulnerable children and their families, including 11 emergency shelter, residential treatment, therapeutic wilderness 12 camps, counseling, foster care, maternity care, adoption, early 13 intervention, in-home services, independent living, and case 14 management, and 15 WHEREAS, in 2002, the organization restructured in response 16 to the state’s adoption of the community-based care child 17 welfare model and formed an unprecedented partnership between 18 child welfare service providers and the emerging community-based 19 care lead agencies, and 20 WHEREAS, the community-based care child welfare model has 21 been recognized nationally for transforming Florida from one of 22 the worst-performing states to one of the best-performing states 23 in the area of the welfare of children, and 24 WHEREAS, the Florida Coalition for Children envisions a 25 system of child welfare in Florida that receives a full 26 allocation of resources, is well-managed, and fulfills the needs 27 of this state’s abused and neglected children, and 28 WHEREAS, the Florida Coalition for Children has emerged as 29 a statewide advocacy organization that promotes the protection 30 of abused and neglected children, the building of strong 31 families, and the prevention of child abuse, and 32 WHEREAS, the member agencies of the Florida Coalition for 33 Children maintain a strong presence for children in the State 34 Capitol, working with members of the Legislature, the Department 35 of Children and Family Services, and other agencies to promote 36 legislation and policies that support quality systems of care 37 through value-based, fiscally accountable programs, NOW, 38 THEREFORE, 39 40 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 41 42 That the Senate recognizes the invaluable contributions 43 that the member agencies of the Florida Coalition for Children 44 have made to improving the lives of thousands of vulnerable 45 children and their families and extends its congratulations to 46 the staff and volunteers of the Florida Coalition for Children 47 on the occasion of the organization’s 60th Anniversary.