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may not be aware of them.Additionally,while services do exist, they are open M-F and 9-5 <br /> (or earlier),which is not when parents are available. <br /> While not a new issue, the lack of public transportation and school bussing of students with <br /> one late bus, means travel is long, difficult and impossible after 6:30 if you don't have a car. <br /> Focus Areas (in order of prioritization) <br /> Analyzing the data presented, the Advisory Team was guided through a prioritization and <br /> voting process to determine what the focus areas should be for Children's Services <br /> Advisory Council. <br /> 1. Early Childhood Development <br /> This encompasses birth to age 5. For the younger children this would mean improving the <br /> interactions they have beginning at birth with their caregivers. It would include improving <br /> the quality (and transparency of relative quality) at childcare, PreK and Voluntary PreK <br /> providers as well as improving financial accessibility to by leveraging available federal and <br /> state funds. <br /> Why: Research shows that the period 0-5 is the most important time for brain development <br /> and cognitive and emotional skills can be significantly impacted. <br /> 2. Build Parent CanacitX <br /> This encompasses improving parenting skills at every age of a child's life and providing <br /> support mechanisms for parents. A priority would be new parents, in particular first time <br /> and single parents, and those in the poverty pockets. <br /> Why: A parent is a child's first and most important teacher.We need to equip parents to be <br /> the good parents that they all want to be. <br /> Note that the Kindergarten Readiness Collaborative is working on specific <br /> recommendations on both Priority 1 and 2. Currently they are doing best practice site <br /> visits throughout Florida. Recommendations should be available in April. <br /> 3. Out of school recreational activities and enrichment programs <br /> They need to be free/affordable and accessible (transportation) to parents and children. <br /> Where possible, they should include a literacy/tutoring component. Mentoring programs <br /> are included. There is a large gap of programs for children 12+. <br /> Why: Children need to develop positive out of school outlets that keep them engaged in <br /> school, promote their health and provide connections (to sports/hobbies, a person or <br /> group, etc). There is a wealth of data supporting extended day and extended year <br /> programs. <br /> 3 125 <br />