News

Health

New Poll Shows Working Parents Across Florida Impacted by Child Care Issues During Pandemic

From News Break: “Now we know that family-friendly policies and practices not only help parents be their best, but also help Florida businesses attract and retain a strong, diverse workforce.”

Bosses for Babies

Super Bowl Grant Money Could Help Tampa Bay Area Businesses Become More Family-Friendly

From ABC Action News: “It’s starting the conversation with the business people around the nation that early learning is important,” Patel said.

Child

Children's Movement of Florida selects Madeleine Thakur as new president

From Tallahassee Democrat: “Madeleine has built effective relationships all across our state—with parents, community organizations, business leaders, state agencies, and legislators. She has the skills and the spirit to help lead us toward even more progress for the children of Florida.”

Child

Personnel note: Madeleine Thakur named president of The Children’s Movement of Florida

From Florida Politics: “Ensuring all children get off to a strong start is really the most important work for Florida’s future. I’m honored to play a role in pushing for business practices, public policy, and state investments that support families with young children.”

Child

Miami native Madeleine Thakur is named first woman president of The Children’s Movement

From The Miami Herald: “The Children’s Movement of Florida, a statewide nonprofit that advocates for early learning and parent support, on Tuesday announced its new president — the first woman and first mother to join the organization’s executive ranks.”

Policy

Hopes for 2021: Brain Building, Racial Equity, Policies that Serve Children and Families, Kindness, Daily Walks

From Early Learning Nation: “I hope we will see legislation in Florida in 2021 that prioritizes children. We are taking aim at enhancing quality early education for all children and at ensuring robust supports for families with young children.”

Policy

National Children’s Summit Takes on Soaring Child Care Costs and Impact of Early Learning

From Child’s Path: “If nothing else, this pandemic and other disasters…have shown us the absolute essential nature of child care,” said newly elected Sen. Loranne Ausley (D-Tallahassee).

Bosses for Babies

Florida Business Leaders Have a Role to Play in Early Education

From South Florida Sun Sentinel: “We can start by helping parents with flexible work schedules during these extraordinary times — scheduling in ways that still support the business need but also allow for employees to fulfill personal responsibilities.”

Child

How much are people willing to help during COVID-19? Give Miami Day 2020 hits new record

From Miami Herald: “It was a magnificent outpouring of good and caring people building a Movement on behalf of every child in Florida,” wrote Dave Lawrence Jr., board chair and founder of The Children’s Movement.

Child

How Miami’s nonprofits are battling COVID headwinds to raise money and serve community

From The Miami Herald: “Yes, it’s a terrible time, but people are stepping up.” he says. “We’ve seen this especially with organizations who have built relationships with donors who believe in the mission.”

Bosses for Babies

Mighty, Mighty Bosses

From Early Learning Nation: “Many of us have come to realize that an investment in children is an investment in all of us. These are future workers. They’re going to make our economy work.”

Child

Childhood education advocate Dave Lawrence honored with ‘Sand In My Shoes’ award

From The Miami Herald: “As chair of the Children’s Movement of Florida, Lawrence has helped expand access to children’s health insurance, education and literacy.”

Mentoring

300 Volunteers Needed To Help Students Improve Reading Skills

From South Florida Sun Sentinel: “Through the ReadingPals program, volunteers connect with students from pre-K to second grade in an effort to establish a love for literacy while improving reading and comprehension competence.”

Mentoring

ReadingPals Set The Stage For Future Learners

From The Daytona Beach News-Journal: “When students read with their reading mentors, they don’t see it as work, so it is no longer stressful or overwhelming. They begin to love reading.”

Pre-K

State Lawmaker, CEO Of Early Learning Nonprofit: Child Care Providers 'Need Help'

From WLRN: “They still have to pay the rent for their space. They’re still trying to pay their teachers. They still have to pay their insurance.”

Bosses for Babies

Baby talk: Business leaders say state's future workforce is at risk

From Business Observer: “Seeing that situation, a group of Florida business leaders calling themselves Bosses for Babies are championing the need for additional support for the state’s young children and their parents and caregivers.”

Mentoring

Kids Get a Haircut and a Reading Lesson at This St. Pete Barbershop

From Tampa Bay Times: “I don’t take for granted knowing how to read. Being able to teach to those younger than me is something I’m dedicated to doing.”

Pre-K

Opinion: Pandemic underscores the need for funding early childhood learning programs

From Tampa Bay Parenting: “Readiness doesn’t mean just knowing the academic basics. It means a child has a willing attitude and confidence in the process of learning: a healthy state of mind.”

Health

Florida’s top CEOs — 135 strong — call for masks and more to stem rising COVID-19 cases | Opinion

From South Florida Sun Sentinel: “Feeling safe and being safe will be the cornerstones of our economic recovery as health and prosperity are inextricably linked.”

Mentoring

Non-Profit Organization Seeks Volunteers to Play With Babies

From WPTV-NBC 5: “When the mothers go to work, volunteers usually help care for the babies.”