Educator Lawrence Dupree urges more funding and family supports during public comment

During public comment at the advisory council meeting, Lawrence Dupree identified himself as representing educators and urged more funding and supports for families and early‑childhood services.

Dupree said many children "fall through the cracks" and emphasized that family supports are central to changing long‑term outcomes. "We can either build more prisons or we can start doing something about early childhood care and education," he said, urging council members to engage their legislators and calling for proper funding for the FINS (Families in Need of Services) program and truancy assessment service centers.

Dupree described local staffing shortages, saying there was "one FINS officer for 45,000 students" in his area and argued for standardized and adequately funded FINS officers across the state. He invited council members to speak with him after the meeting to share successful local practices.

The council accepted the comment during the public‑comment period; no formal action or departmental commitment is recorded on the transcript.