Laserfiche WebLink
Much has happened in the past year! We better understand the situation in IRC and Florida, <br />and have learned what other communities are doing. Our local non -profits are becoming <br />better focused on the challenges and are collaborating to solve them. This could not have <br />happened without the Needs Assessment, Commissioners, United Way and Funder's <br />Forum. <br />2016 What next? <br />While we should be very proud of our 2015 accomplishments, there is also the stark <br />realization that we have just scratched the surface. If we want all IRC children to be <br />successful in school, life and to be productive and contributing members of our community, <br />we have major long-term work ahead. <br />Among other things, we need sustained funding. Because IRC does not have its own <br />Children's Council, funding must be accessed through the annual grant processes. This can <br />be unpredictable and difficult for our service providers to manage to. While IRC residents <br />are philanthropic, the combined private and public (County) dollars are not adequate <br />particularly in comparison with similar communities. For example, Martin County <br />allocates $276 per child compared to $33 in IRC per child in similarly funded programs for <br />at -risk children. Martin's long-term outcomes as represented by FCAT scores and high <br />school graduation exceeding that of IRC. <br />Each government entity in our community (i.e. federal, state and county) has a role in <br />improving education, particularly early education. The progress made in the past year is an <br />opportunity for growth in children's programs and to educate and rally the community <br />around the 2014 Children's Needs Assessment Conclusions and Focus areas and the <br />Moonshot Moment. <br />As our economy improves, we recognize that the IRC real estate tax base has increased <br />7.1% to $14.2 billion. We are optimistic that the Commissioners will increase the amount <br />they allocate to CSAC in 2016-2017 to the full amount allocated and matched by the <br />Funder's Forum in 2015-2016 ($1,051K). Private funders have already put up their share <br />in 2016 as evidenced by increased dollars available to their grant committees. We are <br />aware of the competing needs throughout our community. However, the future of IRC rests <br />with our children. We need them ready to learn, be successful in school, and for them to <br />establish themselves in IRC as productive citizens. <br />4 <br />