Committee approves expansion of Florida Children’s Initiatives to two new locations

Senator Jones, presenting by way of Senator Polsky, told the committee SB 1022 would add two Florida Children’s Initiative sites to the statutes: a Bay County initiative and a Pompano program in Broward County. Jones said the initiatives—modeled after the Harlem Children’s Zone—provide local service networks combining education, health care, employment and housing services and are managed by nonprofit corporations subject to public‑records laws.

Senator Bracy Davis praised the initiative and emphasized that wraparound services also serve parents, citing earlier success in Orlando. The sponsor said the bill has no fiscal impact on the state budget. The committee voted to report SB 1022 favorably.