HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/29/2026Board of County Commissioners
Indian River County, Florida
�vER c
OG Special Call Meeting Agenda
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 1:00 PM
* * Commission Chambers
ORI�Q' Indian River County Administration Complex
1801 27th Street
Vero Beach, Florida 32960
Indian River County Website
County Commissioners
Deryl Loar, District 4, Chairman
Laura Moss, District 5, Vice Chairman
Susan Adams, District 1
Joseph Flescher, District 2
Joseph H. Earman, District 3
1. Call to Order
John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Jennifer W. Shuler, County Attorney
Ryan L. Butler, Clerk of the Circuit Court and
Comptroller
2. A Moment of Silent Reflection for First Responders and Members of the Armed
Forces Followed by the Invocation
Invocation delivered by Chairman Deryl Loar
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Led by County Administrator John Titkanich
4. County Attorney Matters
4.A. Gifford Florida Children's Initiative Resolution
5. Staff / Consultant Presentations
6. Board Comments / Questions
7. Public Comments
8. Adjournment
Page 1 of 30
Except for those matters specifically exempted under the State Statute and Local Ordinance, the Board shall provide
an opportunity for public comment prior to the undertaking by the Board of any action on the agenda, including
those matters on the Consent Agenda. Public comment shall also be heard on any proposition which the Board is to
take action which was either not on the Board agenda or distributed to the public prior to the commencement of the
meeting.
Anyone who may wish to appeal any decision which may be made at this meeting will need to ensure that a
verbatim record of the proceedings is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal will
be based.
Anyone who needs a special accommodation for this meeting may contact the County's Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) Coordinator at (772) 226-1223 at least 48 hours in advance of meeting.
Anyone who needs special accommodation with a hearing aid for this meeting may contact the Board of County
Commission Office at 772-226-1490 at least 20 hours in advance of the meeting.
The full agenda is available on line at the Indian River County Website. The full agenda is also available for review
in the Board of County Commission Office, the Indian River County Main Library, and the North County Library.
Commission Meetings are broadcast live on the County website under IRCTV and the Cablecast Streaming
App, available for download on iOS App Store, Google Play Store, ROKU, Fire TV, and Apple TV.
Rebroadcasts continuously with the following proposed schedule: Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. until Wednesday at
6:00 a.m.,
Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Thursday at 1:00 p.m. through Friday Morning, and Saturday at
12:00 Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Page 2 of 30
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Indian River County
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Administration Complex
1801 27th Street
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County, Florida
Vero Beach, Florida 32960
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Indian River County Website
ORIV
Memorandum
File ID:
Type:
Meeting Date:
2026-876
County Attorney Matters
June 29, 2026
To:
Board of County Commissioners
Through:
John Titkanich Jr., County Administrator
Jennifer Shuler, County Attorney
From:
Susan Prado, Deputy County Attorney
Date:
06/23/2026
Subject:
Gifford Florida Children's Initiative Resolution
Background:
Pioneering Change, Inc., a local nonprofit organization, has requested that the Board of County
Commissioners support the attached resolution to designate the Gifford community as a Florida
Children's Initiative ("FCI"). Fla. Stat. Section 409.147 establishes a process for a county or
municipality to apply to the State of Florida Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, Inc. for the
FCI designation. According to the statute, the purpose of the designation is for the state to
identify severely disadvantaged areas and provide guidance and resources to assist communities
to address critical needs.
Both the statute and the attached Florida Children's Initiative Overview & Designation Process
that is available on the Ounce of Prevention website state that it must be a county or municipality
that applies for the FCI designation. Page 5 of the Florida Children's Initiative Overview &
Designation Process details all the information that a municipality or county must submit to the
Ounce of Prevention Fund for consideration. It is unclear in either the statute or this overview
what the deadline is for submitting the application. However, Pioneering Change Inc. has
engaged in a planning process and informed the Board at its June 16, 2026, meeting that there is
a June 30th deadline.
Analysis:
Budgetary Impact:
Unknown
Page 3 of 30
Previous Board Actions:
None
Potential Future Board Actions:
According to Fla. Stat. 409.107(7)(b), the following actions are required after the Board adopts a
resolution, which may require potential future Board actions.
After the governing body adopts the resolution described in subsection (4), establishes a
planning team as provided in subsection (S), and develops and adopts a strategic community
plan as provided in subsection (6), the county or municipality shall either identify an existing,
qualified not-for-profit corporation or create a not-for-profit corporation registered,
incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance with chapter 617. The purpose of the not-
for-profit corporation is to facilitate fundraising, to secure broad community ownership of the
initiative, and, if the area selected by the governing body is designated as a Florida Children's
Initiative, to:
1. Begin to transfer responsibilityfor planning from the planning team to the corporation.
2. Begin the implementation and governance of the strategic community plan.
3. Update the strategic community plan every S years to reflect, at a minimum, the current
status of the area served by the Florida Children's Initiative; the goals, objectives, and strategies
for each focus area; and the tasks required to implement the strategies for the upcoming year.
Strategic Plan Alignment:
Other Plan Alignment:
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the Board consider the attached Resolution to Support the Application by
Pioneering Change, Inc. to Designate the Gifford Community as a Florida Children's Initiative
and determine if it follows Fla. Stat. Section 409.147 for submittal by the County to the State.
Attachments:
1. Indian River County BOCC Resolution - Florida Childrens Initiative
2. childrens_initiative _designation process
3. Fla. Stat. 409.147
4. 5.20 Gifford FCI Strategic_Plan
Page 4 of 30
RESOLUTION 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
COMMISSON, SUPPORTING THE APPLICATION BY
PIONEERING CHANGE, INC. TO DESIGNATE THE
GIFFORD COMMUNITY AS A FLORIDA CHILDREN'S
INITIATIVE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Florida State Statute 409.147 establishes a process to clearly identify
severely disadvantaged areas and provides guidance for developing a new social service paradigm
that systematically coordinates programs addressing the critical needs of children and their
families, and directs efforts to rebuild the basic infrastructure of the community; and
WHEREAS, a Florida Children's Initiative (FCI) is a designated neighborhood or
community in Florida where the infrastructure and opportunities that are often taken for granted
in middle-class communities are nonexistent or so marginal that they are ineffective. FCIs are
modeled after the nationally recognized Harlem Children's Zone; and
WHEREAS, it is Florida's policy to provide the necessary means to assist local
communities, the children and families who live in those communities, and the private sector in
creating a sound educational, social, and economic environment. To achieve this objective, the
state provides investments to encourage community partners to commit financially and with other
resources to severely disadvantaged areas; and
WHEREAS, the Gifford community experiences significant socioeconomic challenges,
including a poverty rate of approximately 42%, more than three times the state average, with over
one-quarter of residents living in extreme poverty; and
WHEREAS, 33.3% of the population is under the age of 18, underscoring the critical need
for targeted investments in youth development, education, and family support systems; and
Page 5 of 30
RESOLUTION 2026 -
WHEREAS, approximately 59.5% of children in the Gifford community live below the
poverty line, demonstrating severe economic disadvantage during critical developmental years and
increasing the risk of long-term negative outcomes; and
WHEREAS, educational attainment in the Gifford community remains limited, with only
about 80% of adults holding a high school diploma and significantly fewer attaining postsecondary
degrees, restricting access to higher -wage employment opportunities; and
WHEREAS, limited access to resources such as affordable housing, broadband
connectivity, and community infrastructure continues to hinder economic stability and opportunity
for residents; and
WHEREAS, these combined factors demonstrate the need for a coordinated, place -based
strategy that integrates education, health, economic development, and family support services to
improve outcomes for children and families in the Gifford community; and
WHEREAS, Pioneering Change Inc. is applying for a planning grant from the State of
Florida to bring the Gifford community together to create a cohesive strategic plan to address the
needs and barriers experienced by children and families in these neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Pioneering Change Inc. with its established presence in the Gifford
community and ability to leverage partnerships from all facets of the Gifford community and
beyond, is uniquely positioned to develop and submit this application. Pioneering Change Inc. will
bring together the community and resources necessary to address gaps in service delivery and
provide a cradle -to -career path forward for the children living in these neighborhoods; and
Page 6 of 30
RESOLUTION 2026 -
WHEREAS, guiding children out of poverty in the Gifford Community must be supported
by actions and resource investments to improve infrastructure and the provision of services within
the county, in partnership with local, state, and private sectors, to achieve a collective impact; and
WHEREAS, Pioneering Change, Inc. will apply for the Florida Children's Initiative
Designation on behalf of the Gifford community, which will be modeled after the Harlem
Children's Zone and defined by Florida Statute 409.147, to provide funding that assists
disadvantaged areas within the state in creating a community-based service network that develops,
coordinates, and provides quality education, accessible healthcare, youth development programs,
opportunities for employment, and safe and affordable housing for children and families.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
OMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY COMMISSION, FLORIDA, AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the County hereby recommends and supports the application on behalf
of the children and families of the Gifford community to be considered for designation as a Florida
Children's Initiative.
SECTION 2. The County supports the application as written to improve conditions for the
Gifford community.
SECTION 3. This Resolution shall become effective upon passage.
The foregoing resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner
and seconded by Commissioner , and upon being put to a vote, the vote was
as follows:
Page 7 of 30
RESOLUTION 2026 -
Chairman Deryl Loar
Vice Chairman Laura Moss
Commissioner Susan Adams
Commissioner Joseph E. Flescher
Commissioner Joe Earman
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this day of
July, 2026.
BOARD OF COUNTY OMMISSIONERS
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By:
Deryl Loar, Chairman
BCC approved:
ATTEST: Ryan L. Butler, Clerk of
Circuit Court and Comptroller
IM
IM
Deputy Clerk
John A. Titkanich. Jr.
County Administrator
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency:
Susan Prado
Deputy County Attorney
Page 8 of 30
Florida Children's Initiative
Overview & Designation Process
I. Overview
The 2008 Florida Legislature assigned The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida the responsibility for
reviewing and approving requests from local municipalities and/or counties to obtain a Children's
Initiative designation. The authority to review and approve such requests is based in Florida Statute
(F.S.) 409.1471.
A Children's Initiative is a neighborhood or community in Florida where the infrastructure and
opportunities that middle-class communities take for granted are nonexistent or so marginal that they
are ineffective:
1. Children living in these neighborhoods are not read to by an adult on a regular basis and attend
a prekindergarten education program at a much lower rate than children in other communities.
2. These children experience below-average performance on standardized tests and graduate
from high school in fewer numbers.
3. Most of these children are eligible for the free or reduced -price school lunch program.
4. Children in these neighborhoods often suffer from high rates of asthma, a higher risk of lead
poisoning, and inadequate health care, and they are routinely exposed to violence and crime.
In spite of these obstacles, these neighborhoods are many times home to strong individuals and
institutions that are committed to making a difference in the lives of children and their families.
It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to assist disadvantaged areas within the state in creating a
community-based service network that develops, coordinates, and provides quality education,
accessible health care, youth development programs, opportunities for employment, and safe and
affordable housing for children and families living within its boundaries.
F.S. 409.147 establishes a process that clearly identifies severely disadvantaged areas and provides
guidance for developing a new social service paradigm that systematically coordinates programs that
address the critical needs of children and their families and for directing efforts to rebuild the basic
infrastructure of the community.
Requesting a Children's Initiative Designation
Municipalities and/or communities seeking a Children's Initiative designation from the state of Florida
should follow the process prescribed by the Legislature and outlined in sections II and III of this
document to create a Children's Initiative and request designation. If a local Children's Initiative
already exists, the governmental entity requesting designation for the existing Children's Initiative
should submit a their request along will documentation, as listed in section III of this document,
demonstrating the initiative has satisfied all of the designation criteria.
' The original statute was amended in 2009 in HB381.
Page 9 of 30
II. Children's Initiative Designation Process
A county or municipality, or a county and one or more municipalities together, may make a request to
the Ounce of Prevention Fund to designate an area as a Children's Initiative after the governing body
has:
I. Adopted a resolution that:
A. Finds that an area exists in such county or municipality, or in the county and one or
more municipalities, that chronically exhibits extreme and unacceptable levels of
poverty, unemployment, physical deterioration, as well as limited access to quality
educational, health care, and social services.
B. Determines that the rehabilitation, conservation, or redevelopment, or a combination
thereof, of the area is necessary in the interest of improving the health, wellness,
education, living conditions, and livelihoods of the children and families who live in the
county or municipality.
C. Determines that the revitalization of the area can occur only if the state and the private
sector invest resources to improve infrastructure and the provision of services.
II. Established a Children's Initiative planning team that includes residents (at least half of the
members of the planning team must be residents of the area seeking designation) and
representatives from community-based organizations and other community institutions to:
A. Develop a planning process that sets the direction for, builds a commitment to, and
develops the capacity to realize the Children's Initiative concept.
Develop a vision of what the Children's Initiative will look like when the challenges,
problems, and opportunities in the Children's Initiative are successfully addressed.
C. Identify important opportunities, strengths, challenges and problems in the Children's
Initiative.
D. Develop a strategic community plan consisting of goals, objectives, tasks, the
designation of responsible parties, the identification of resources needed, timelines for
implementation of the plan, and procedures for monitoring outcomes; including
workgroups to specifically address focus areas that include, but are not limited to:
i. Early development and care of children
ii. Education of children and youth
iii. Health and wellness
iv. Youth Support
v. Parent and guardian support
vi. Adult education
vii. Community safety
viii. Housing and community development
2
Page 10 of 30
III. Adopted a strategic community plan, developed by the planning team, that includes but is
not limited to the following:
A. Early development and care of children
i. Providing resources to enable every child to be adequately nurtured during the
first 3 years of life.
ii. Ensuring that all schools are ready for children and all children are ready for
school.
iii. Facilitating enrollment in half-day or full-day prekindergarten for all 3 -year-old
and 4 -year-old children.
iv. Strengthening parent and guardian relationships with care providers.
V. Providing support and education for families and child care providers.
vi. Education of children and youth
vii. Increasing the level and degree of accountability of persons who are responsible
for the development and well-being of all children in the Children's Initiative.
viii. Changing the structure and function of schools to increase the quality and
amount of time spent on instruction and increase programmatic options and
offerings.
ix. Creating a safe and respectful environment for student learning.
X. Identifying and supporting points of alignment between the Children's Initiative
community plan and the school district's strategic plan.
B. Health and wellness
i. Facilitating enrollment of all eligible children in the Florida Kidcare program and
providing full access to high-quality drug and alcohol treatment services.
ii. Eliminating health disparities between racial and cultural groups, including
improving outcomes and increasing interventions.
iii. Providing fresh, good quality, affordable, and nutritious food within the
Children's Initiative.
iv. Providing all children in the Children's Initiative with access to safe structured
and unstructured recreation.
C. Youth support
i. Increasing the high school graduation rate.
ii. Increasing leadership development and employment opportunities for youth.
D. Parent and guardian support.
i. Increasing parent and adult literacy.
ii. Expanding access for parents to critical resources, such as jobs, transportation,
day care, and after-school care.
3
Page 11 of 30
iii. Improving the effectiveness of the ways in which support systems communicate
and collaborate with parents and the ways in which parents communicate and
collaborate with support systems.
iv. Making the services of the Healthy Families Florida program available to provide
multiyear support to expectant parents and persons caring for infants and
toddlers.
Adult education, training, and jobs.
vi. Creating job opportunities for adults that lead to career development.
vii. Establishing a career and technical school, or a satellite of such a school in the
Children's Initiative, which includes a one-stop career center.
Community safety.
Providing a safe environment for all children at home, in school, and in the
community.
Eliminating the economic, political, and social forces that lead to a lack of safety
within the family, the community, schools, and institutional structures.
iii. Assessing policies and practices, including sentencing, incarceration, detention,
and data reporting, in order to reduce youth violence, crime, and recidivism.
F. Housing and community development.
i. Strengthening the residential real estate market.
ii. Building on existing efforts to promote socioeconomic diversity when developing
a comprehensive land use strategic plan.
iii. Promoting neighborhood beautification strategies
IV. Created a corporation not for profit.
The county or municipality shall create a corporation not for profit (Children's Initiative Corporation)
which shall be registered, incorporated, organized and operated in compliance with F.S. Chapter 617.
The purpose of the corporation is to facilitate fundraising, to secure broad community ownership of
the Children's Initiative, and, if the area selected by the governing body is designated as a Children's
Initiative, to:
A. Begin to transfer responsibility for planning from the planning team to the corporation.
B. Begin the implementation and governance of the Children's Initiative community plan.
N
Page 12 of 30
III. Submitting a Request
The municipality and/or county seeking the designation should submit the following items to the
Ounce of Prevention Fund:
1. A copy of the resolution approved by the appropriate governmental entity.
2. The boundary lines of the proposed Children's Initiative area.
3. A description of the social and economic challenges that currently exist in the area.
4. A roster of the planning team including name, position held in the community, address,
telephone number, and email address.
5. A roster of each workgroup including name, position held in the community, address,
telephone number, and email address.
6. The community strategic plan developed by the planning team and approved by the
governmental entity.
7. Documents of incorporation for the Children's Initiative corporation.
8. A roster of the board of directors of the Children's Initiative corporation including name,
position held in the community, address, telephone number, and email address.
9. Current year budget for the Children's Initiative corporation.
10. Children's Initiative corporation by-laws.
11. Children's Initiative corporation policies and procedures manual.
12. Letters of support from organizations and agencies identifying resources that are
located within the Children's Initiative.
13. A statement of financial need requesting support from the state of Florida.
Submit the designation request and supporting documents to:
The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida
Attention: Winifred P. Heggins
111 N. Gadsden Street
Tallahassee, FL 32301
wheggins@ounce.org
850-921-4494
Page 13 of 30
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The 2025 Florida Statutes
Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine
Select Year: i Z025_v_ Go
Title XXX Chapter 409 View Entire Chapter
SOCIAL WELFARE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE
409.147 Florida Children's Initiatives.—
(1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.—
(a) The Legislature finds that:
1. There are neighborhoods in this state where the infrastructure and opportunities that middle-class communities
take for granted are nonexistent or so marginal that they are ineffective.
2. In many instances, children living in these neighborhoods are not read to by an adult on a regular basis and attend a
prekindergarten education program at a much tower rate than children in other communities. These children experience
below-average performance on standardized tests and graduate from high school in fewer numbers. Most of these children
are eligible for the free or reduced -price school lunch program.
3. Children in these neighborhoods often suffer from high rates of asthma, a higher risk of lead poisoning, higher rates
of childhood obesity, inadequate health care, and they are routinely exposed to violence and crime.
4. In spite of these obstacles, these neighborhoods are many times home to strong individuals and institutions that are
committed to making a difference in the lives of children and their families.
(b) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to assist disadvantaged areas within the state in creating a community-
based service network that develops, coordinates, and provides quality education, accessible health care, youth
development programs, opportunities for employment, and safe and affordable housing for children and families living
within its boundaries.
(2) POLICY AND PURPOSE.—It is the policy of this state to provide the necessary means to assist local communities, the
children and families who live in those communities, and the private sector in creating a sound educational, social, and
economic environment. To achieve this objective, the state intends to provide investments sufficient to encourage
community partners to commit financial and other resources to severely disadvantaged areas. The purpose of this section
is to establish a process that clearly identifies the severely disadvantaged areas and provides guidance for developing a
new social service paradigm that systematically coordinates programs that address the critical needs of children and their
families and for directing efforts to rebuild the basic infrastructure of the community. The Legislature, therefore, declares
the creation of Florida Children's Initiatives, through the collaborative efforts of government and the private sector, to be
a public purpose.
(3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) "Governing body" means the commission or other legislative body charged with governing a county or municipality.
(b) "Ounce' means the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, Inc.
(c) "Planning team" means a Florida Children's Initiative planning team established under this section.
(d) "Resident" means a person who lives in or operates a small community-based business or organization within the
boundaries of a Florida Children's Initiative.
(4) FLORIDA CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE NOMINATING PROCESS.—A county or municipality, or a county and one or more
municipalities together, may apply to the Ounce to designate an area as a Florida Children's Initiative after the governing
body:
(a) Adopts a resolution that:
1. Finds that an area exists in such county or municipality, or in the county and one or more municipalities, that
chronically exhibits extreme and unacceptable levels of poverty, unemployment, physical deterioration, as well as limited
access to quality educational, health care, and social services. vv55
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2. Determines that the rehabilitation, conservation, or redevelopment, or a combination thereof, of the area is
necessary for improving the health, wellness, education, living conditions, and livelihoods of the children and families who
live in the county or municipality.
3. Determines that the revitalization of the area can occur only if this state and the private sector invest resources to
improve infrastructure and the provision of services.
(b) Establishes a planning team as provided in subsection (5).
(c) Develops and adopts a strategic community plan as provided in subsection (6).
(d) Identifies or creates a not-for-profit corporation as provided in subsection (7).
(5) FLORIDA CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE PLANNING TEAM.—
(a) After the governing body adopts the resolution described in subsection (4), the county or municipality shall
establish a Florida Children's Initiative planning team.
(b) The planning team shall include residents and representatives from community-based organizations and other
community institutions. At least half of the members of the planning team must be residents.
(c) The planning team shall:
1. Develop a planning process that sets the direction for, builds a commitment to, and develops the capacity to realize
the Florida Children's Initiative concept.
2. Develop a vision of what the Florida Children's Initiative will look like when the challenges, problems, and
opportunities in the Florida Children's Initiative are successfully addressed.
3. Identify important opportunities, strengths, challenges, and problems in the Florida Children's Initiative.
4. Develop a strategic community plan consisting of goals, objectives, tasks, the designation of responsible parties,
the identification of resources needed, timelines for implementation of the plan, and procedures for monitoring
outcomes.
(d) The planning team shalt designate working groups to specifically address each of the following focus areas:
1. Early development and care of children.
2. Education of children and youth.
3. Health and wellness.
4. Youth support.
5. Parent and guardian support.
6. Adult education, training, and jobs.
7. Community safety.
B. Housing and community development.
(6) FLORIDA CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE STRATEGIC COMMUNITY PLAN.—After the governing body adopts the resolution
described in subsection (4), the working groups shall develop objectives and identify strategies for each focus area. The
objectives, specified by focus area, for a working group may include, but not be limited to:
(a) Early development and care of children.
1. Providing resources to enable every child to be adequately nurtured during the first 3 years of life.
2. Ensuring that all schools are ready for children and all children are ready for school by the time they reach
kindergarten.
3. Facilitating enrollment in half-day or full-day prekindergarten for all 3 -year-old and 4 -year-old children.
4. Strengthening parent and guardian relationships with care providers.
5. Providing support and education for families and child care providers.
(b) Education of children and youth.
1. Increasing the level and degree of knowledge and accountability of persons who are responsible for the
development and well-being of all children in each Florida Children's Initiative.
2. Transforming the structure and function of schools to increase the quality and amount of time spent on instruction
and increase programmatic options and offerings.
3. Creating a safe and respectful environment for student learning.
4. Identifying and supporting points of alignment between a Florida Children's Initiative community plan and the
school district's strategic plan. 2�
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(c) Health and wellness.
Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine
1. Facilitating enrollment of all eligible children in the Florida Kidcare program and providing full access to high-
quality drug and alcohol treatment services.
2. Eliminating health disparities between racial and cultural groups, including improving outcomes and increasing
interventions.
3. Providing fresh, good quality, affordable, and nutritious food within a Florida Children's Initiative.
4. Providing all children in a Florida Children's Initiative with access to safe structured and unstructured recreation.
(d) Youth support.
1. Increasing the high school graduation, postsecondary enrollment, and postsecondary completion rates among
neighborhood youth.
2. Increasing leadership development and employment opportunities for neighborhood youth.
(e) Parent and guardian support.
1. Increasing parent and adult literacy.
2. Expanding access for parents to critical resources, such as jobs, transportation, day care, and after-school care.
3. Improving the effectiveness of the ways in which support systems communicate and collaborate with parents and
the ways in which parents communicate and collaborate with support systems.
4. Making the services of the Healthy Families Florida program available to provide multiyear support to expectant
parents and persons caring for infants and toddlers.
(f) Adult education, training, and jobs.
1. Creating job opportunities for adults that lead to career development.
2. Establishing a career and technical school, or a satellite of such a school within a Florida Children's Initiative, which
includes a one-stop career center.
(g) Community safety.
1. Providing a safe environment for all children at home, in school, and in the community.
2. Eliminating the economic, political, and social forces that lead to a lack of safety within the family, the community,
schools, and institutional structures.
3. Assessing policies and practices, including sentencing, incarceration, detention, and data reporting, to reduce
youth incarceration, violence, crime, and recidivism.
(h) Housing and community development.
1. Strengthening the residential real estate market.
2. Building on existing efforts to promote socioeconomic diversity when developing a comprehensive land use strategic
plan.
3. Promoting neighborhood beautification strategies.
(7) FLORIDA CHILDREN'S INITIATIVES CORPORATION.—
(a) The Florida Children's Initiatives as specified in subsections (9)-(13) are administratively housed within the
department. However, these initiatives are not subject to control, supervision, or direction by the department or any
other department of this state.
(b) After the governing body adopts the resolution described in subsection (4), establishes a planning team as provided
in subsection (5), and develops and adopts a strategic community plan as provided in subsection (6), the county or
municipality shall either identify an existing, qualified not-for-profit corporation or create a not-for-profit corporation
registered, incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance with chapter 617. The purpose of the not-for-profit
corporation is to facilitate fundraising, to secure broad community ownership of the initiative, and, if the area selected by
the governing body is designated as a Florida Children's Initiative, to:
1. Begin to transfer responsibility for planning from the planning team to the corporation.
2. Begin the implementation and governance of the strategic community plan.
3. Update the strategic community plan every 5 years to reflect, at a minimum, the current status of the area served
by the Florida Children's Initiative; the goals, objectives, and strategies for each focus area; and the tasks required to
implement the strategies for the upcoming year.
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(c) The Ounce must provide technical assistance to the corporation to facilitate the achievement of the plans created
under subsection (6).
(8) REQUIREMENTS FOR RECEIVING STATE FUNDING.—Unless otherwise specified in the General Appropriations Act:
(a) State funding for Florida Children's Initiatives must be awarded through a performance-based contract that links
payments to the achievement of outcomes directly related to the goals, objectives, strategies, and tasks outlined in the
strategic community plan.
(b) This act is intended to support the development of a network of Florida Children's Initiatives focus areas in
disadvantaged neighborhoods throughout this state. To that end, counties that do not currently have a Florida Children's
Initiative and are trying to establish an initiative have priority for designation by the Ounce.
(9) MIAMI CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE.—
(a) There is created within the Liberty City neighborhood in Miami -Dade County a project called the Miami Children's
Initiative managed by an entity organized as a not-for-profit corporation registered, incorporated, organized, and
operated in compliance with chapter 617 and this section. Public policy dictates that the Miami Children's Initiative
operates in the most open and accessible manner consistent with its public purpose. Therefore, the Legislature
specifically declares that the Miami Children's Initiative is subject to chapter 119, relating to public records; chapter 286,
relating to public meetings and records; and chapter 287, relating to the procurement of commodities or contractual
services.
(b) This initiative is designed to encompass an area that is large enough to include all of the necessary components of
community life, including, but not limited to, schools, places of worship, recreational facilities, commercial areas, and
common space, yet small enough to allow programs and services to reach every willing member of the neighborhood.
(10) THE NEW TOWN SUCCESS ZONE.—
(a) There is created within the City of Jacksonville Council District 9 in Duval County a project called the New Town
Success Zone managed by an entity organized as a not-for-profit corporation registered, incorporated, organized, and
operated in compliance with chapter 617 and this section. Public policy dictates that the New Town Success Zone operates
in the most open and accessible manner consistent with its public purpose. Therefore, the Legislature declares that the
New Town Success Zone is subject to chapter 119, relating to public records; chapter 286, relating to public meetings and
records; and chapter 287, relating to the procurement of commodities or contractual services.
(b) This initiative is designed to encompass an area that is large enough to include all of the necessary components of
community life, including, but not limited to, schools, places of worship, recreational facilities, commercial areas, and
common space, yet small enough to allow programs and services to reach every member of the neighborhood who is
willing to participate in the project.
(11) THE ORLANDO KIDZ ZONES.—
(a) There is created within the City of Orlando in Orange County a project called the Orlando Kidz Zones managed by
an entity organized as a not-for-profit corporation registered, incorporated, organized, and operated in compliance with
chapter 617 and this section. Public policy dictates that the Orlando Kidz Zones operates in the most open and accessible
manner consistent with its public purpose. Therefore, the Legislature declares that the Orlando Kidz Zones is subject to
chapter 119, relating to public records; chapter 286, relating to public meetings and records; and chapter 287, relating to
the procurement of commodities or contractual services.
(b) This initiative is designed to encompass the Orlando neighborhoods of Parramore, Mercy Drive, and Englewood. All
three of these neighborhoods are large enough to include all of the necessary components of community life, including,
but not limited to, schools, places of worship, recreational facilities, commercial areas, and common space, yet small
enough to allow programs and services to reach every member of the neighborhoods who is willing to participate in the
project.
(12) THE TAMPA SULPHUR SPRINGS NEIGHBORHOOD OF PROMISE (SSNOP).—
(a) There is created within the City of Tampa in Hillsborough County a project called the Tampa Sulphur Springs
Neighborhood of Promise (SSNOP) managed by an entity organized as a not-for-profit corporation registered, incorporated,
organized, and operated in compliance with chapter 617 and this section. Public policy dictates that the Tampa SSNOP
operates in the most open and accessible manner consistent with its public purpose. Therefore, the Legislature declares
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that the Tampa SSNOP is subject to chapter 119, relating to public records; chapter 286, relating to public meetings and
records; and chapter 287, relating to the procurement of commodities or contractual services.
(b) This initiative is designed to encompass an area that is large enough to include all of the necessary components of
community life, including, but not limited to, schools, places of worship, recreational facilities, commercial areas, and
common space, yet small enough to allow programs and services to reach every member of the neighborhood who is
willing to participate in the project.
(13) THE OVERTOWN CHILDREN AND YOUTH COALITION.—
(a) There is created within the City of Miami in Miami -Dade County a project called the Overtown Children and Youth
Coalition managed by an entity organized as a not-for-profit corporation registered, incorporated, organized, and
operated in compliance with chapter 617 and this section. Public policy dictates that the Overtown Children and Youth
Coalition operates in the most open and accessible manner consistent with its public purpose. Therefore, the Legislature
declares that the Overtown Children and Youth Coalition is subject to chapter 119, relating to public records; chapter 286,
relating to public meetings and records; and chapter 287, relating to the procurement of commodities or contractual
services.
(b) This initiative is designed to encompass an area that is large enough to include all of the necessary components of
community life, including, but not limited to, schools, places of worship, recreational facilities, commercial areas, and
common space, yet small enough to allow programs and services to reach every member of the neighborhood who is
willing to participate in the project.
(14) IMPLEMENTATION.—
(a) The Miami Children's Initiative, Inc., the New Town Success Zone, the Orlando Kidz Zones, the Tampa SSNOP, and
the Overtown Children and Youth Coalition have been designated as Florida Children's Initiatives consistent with the
legislative intent and purpose of s. 16, chapter 2009-43, Laws of Florida, and as such shall each assist the disadvantaged
areas of this state in creating a community-based service network and programming that develops, coordinates, and
provides quality education, accessible health care, youth development programs, opportunities for employment, and safe
and affordable housing for children and families living within their boundaries.
(b) To implement this section for the Florida Children's Initiatives listed in this section, the department shall contract
with a not-for-profit corporation, to work in collaboration with the governing body to adopt the resolution described in
subsection (4), to establish the planning team as provided in subsection (5), and to develop and adopt the strategic
community plan as provided in subsection (6). The not-for-profit corporation is also responsible for the development of a
strategic business plan and for the evaluation, fiscal management, and oversight of the Florida Children's Initiatives.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2008-96; s. 16, ch. 2009-43; s. 1, ch. 2013-81; s. 172, ch. 2014-19; s. 1, ch. 2018-148; s. 11, ch. 2022-67; S. 88, ch. 2023-8; s.
1, ch. 2023-280.
Copyright 0 1995-2026 The Florida Legislature • Privacy Statement • Contact Us
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Gifford Florida Children's Initiative Strategic Plan
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Expected Outcomes
StrategicData
Plan Area
/ Community
Solutions
Action Steps
Input
1. Adult
Data / Community Input:
1.1 Adult Literacy, GED,
1.1.1 Establish adult literacy, GED, basic skills,
1.1 Increased adult literacy, GED
Education
- Gifford adults and young
and Digital Skills Pathway
and digital literacy classes in Gifford.
completion, and digital
adults face educational-
1.1.2 Partner with Literacy Services, IRSC,
confidence.
attainment gaps: 21.4% of
TCTC, churches, nonprofits, and community
ages 18-24 have less than a
centers.
high school diploma; 11.2%
1.1.3 Add mobile library/bookmobile days,
of adults 25+ have less than a
community reading events, and family literacy
9th grade education; and
pop -ups.
9.3% of adults 25+ have
some high school but no
1.2 Training -to -Career
1.2.1 Create a public campaign to promote the
1.2 Increased participation in
di
diploma.
p
Access
services through various mediums: social media,
technical education and
newsletter, text, phone calls, and mail.
certifications.
Workshop participants gave
1.2.2 Create a public campaign explaining tuition
the following input:
assistance, training sponsorships, WIOA
• Accessibility for training
(Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act),
programs, the length of
CareerSource, AARP, and other funding.
time for the process
1.2.3 Promote short-term credentials tied to
before certification,
livable wages, including healthcare,
location, and funding are
construction, technology, logistics, STEAM, and
barriers for some Gifford
trades.
residents.
1.2.4 Build employer pipelines so training
• Workshop participants
connects directly to jobs, OJT, apprenticeships,
noted that many residents
and career advancement.
assume training is
1.2.5. Provide coaching, developmental
unaffordable because
guidance, goal planning, and basic -needs
they do not know
navigation.
CareerSource, AARP,
workforce sponsors, and
other agencies may help
pay for TCTC/IRSC
1.3 Gifford Workforce
1.3.1 Create Gifford -based navigators to walk
1.3 Reduced time from application
classes.
Navigator System
adults through paperwork, eligibility, funding,
to work readiness.
■ Residents asked for
transportation, and childcare.
nearby literacy access, a
1.3.2 Use warm referrals rather than sending
library/bookmobile model,
residents to multiple agencies without follow-up.
sustainable -income
1.3.3 Track enrollment, completion, credential
pathways, and education
attainment, and job placement.
brought physically into
Gifford.
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Expected Outcomes
GiffordStrategic Data I Community
Solutions
Action Steps
1.4.1 Offer evening, weekend, and hybrid
Plan Area
Input
1.4 Flexible Adult
1.4.1 More adults connected to
Education With Childcare
options.
sustainable income, not just
and Transportation
1.4.2 Provide transportation, childcare, and
survival employment.
emergency support during training.
1.4.3 Use community-based sites so residents
1.4.2 Stronger family stability
do not have to cross county lines or travel long
through improved earning power.
distances.
1.4.4 Use hybrid learning where appropriate,
while also recognizing that not all families have
reliable technology access.
1.4.5 Develop laptop inventory for resident
check out while enrolled in hybrid courses for
those who do not have technology access.
2. Parent
Data / Community Input:
2.1 Parent Advocacy and
2. 1.1 Provide workshops on IEPs, discipline,
2.1 Parents become stronger
and
- 2022 ACS 5-Year data show
Empowerment
attendance, graduation requirements,
advocates for their children and
Guardian
that 86.33% of Gifford
scholarships, FAFSA, school software, and
themselves.
Support
households with children
school rights.
under age 18 are single-
2.1.2 Create programs that teach children and
mother households, far
parents how to advocate for themselves.
exceeding the broader Indian
2.1.3 Build parent peer circles and ambassador
River County single-parent
teams led by trusted community member.
household rate of 38.96%
2.1.4. Provide coaching, developmental
and the Florida statewide
guidance, family goal planning, and basic-needs
comparison of approximately
navigation.
22.2%. This indicates a
concentrated need for early
childhood supports, parent
stabilization services,
2.2 Family Resource
2.2.1 Establish navigators who help families
2.2 Families access services faster
childcare access, economic
Navigation and Warm
access jobs, childcare, after-school care,
healthcare, food, housing, transportation,
and with less frustration.
mobility supports, and family-
Handoffs
utilities, and benefits.
centered interventions in
2.2.2 Verify that referrals can truly help before
Gifford.
sending families there.
- Parents described fatigue,
2.2.3 Use one-stop intake and warm handoffs
work conflicts, limited
between schools, nonprofits, employers, and
transportation, childcare
service providers.
gaps, and frustration with
systems that provide referrals
but not actual help.
- Community input stressed:
2.3 Persistent School-
2.3.1 Develop persistent communication
2.3 Increased parent participation
P P P
meet parents where they are,
Family Communication
channels between parents, schools, employers,
despite work, transportation, and
do not blame them, build trust
Channels
and nonprofits.
technology barriers.
first, and create
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Expected Outcomes
Plan Area
GiffordStrategic . ta / Community
Input
Solutions
Action Steps
communication channels that
2.3.2 Work with employers to allow short school
are persistent and respectful.
conferences at or near the workplace.
2. Parent
2.3.3 Provide FOCUS support kiosks or help
and
desks at community locations for parents and
Guardian
grandparents.
Support
2.4 Healthy Families /
2.4.1 Expand referrals to Healthy Families
2.4 More expectant parents and
Multiyear Support for
Florida for expectant parents and caregivers of
caregivers receive multiyear
Expectant Parents and
infants and toddlers.
support.
Caregivers
2.4.2 Provide home visiting, developmental
screening, parent education, and resource
coordination through age five.
2.4.3 Connect families to childcare, mental
health, food, transportation, housing, and
employment supports.
2.5 Dignity -Based Parent
2.5.1 Train providers to use trauma -informed,
culturally responsive, and dignity -based
2.5 Stronger trust between
Engagement Model
engagement.
parents, schools, agencies, and
2.5.2 Replace parent blame with partnership,
nonprofits.
listening, and problem -solving.
2.5.3 Use consistent door-to-door outreach and
community presence to build trust over time.
2.6 Parent Education Pop-
2.6.1 Host mini pop -ups where parents already
2.6 Earlier identification of delays
Ups and Community
are: schools, clinics, parks, churches,
and faster access to intervention.
Ambassadors
laundromats, workplaces, grocery distributions,
and community events.
2.6.2 Use community ambassadors from
agencies to ask parents what they need and
connect them directly to support.
2.6.3 Provide practical education on milestones,
discipline, nutrition, safety, social media, sleep,
screen time, and early learning.
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Gifford Data / Community
SolutionsStrategic
3.1.1 Expand high -dosage tutoring, small -group
Outcomes
3.1 Increased reading, math, and
Plan Area
3. Education
Input
Data / Community Input:
3.1 Academic Intervention
K-12
- Dodgertown Elementary
and Foundational Skills
reading/math support, and
foundational academic skills.
reported that 77.6%, 75.6%,
vocabulary/comprehension interventions.
and 73.8% of students were
3.1.2 Use RTI (Response to intervention) data to
Gifford residents across
target Tier 2/Tier 3 support and monitor
recent years, with about
progress.
84.78% to 86% economically
3.1.3 Recruit community volunteers and partners
disadvantaged.
for during and after-school academic support.
- Approximately 64.6% of
students at Gifford Middle
School are economically
3.2 Safe Spaces for
3.2.1 Build safe spaces where students can ask
3.2 More students ask for help
disadvantaged.
Student Help -Seeking and
for help without embarrassment or judgment.
before failure or crisis.
Self -Advocacy
3.2.2 Create student self -advocacy programs
through Pioneering Change, schools, and
- Dodgertown Elementary:
nonprofits.
- 28.6% of students tested
3.2.3 Train teachers and staff to recognize
were on grade level or
different learning styles and trauma responses.
higher in ELA.
- 18.0% of students tested3.3
3.3.1 Bring conferences and support resources
Improved parent engagement
were on grade level or
3.3 Parent -School-
to parents at jobs, sports events, community
despite work barriers.
higher in math.
Employer Engagement
locations, and online.
Beyond the School Day
3.3.2 Work with employers to protect family
- Approximately 265
engagement time.
Dodgertown Elementary
3.3.3 Provide resource solutions during school
School students receive
meetings, not just information.
targeted Tier 2/Tier 3 reading
and/or math interventions.
3.4 School Climate,
3.4.1 Create student -led school climate audits
3.4 Reduced behavioral referrals
- Gifford Middle School:
Respect, and Clean
on respect, cleanliness, safety, and bathroom
and increased student dignity and
- 52.8% of students tested
Facilities
conditions.
belonging.
were on grade level or
3.4.2 Ensure students are treated with dignity
higher in ELA.
and adults model the behavior expected from
- 36.2% of students tested
students.
were on grade level or
3.4.3 Use mentors before discipline referrals
higher in math.
when students need redirection or emotional
regulation.
- The ESE data also shows
high levels of student support
3.5 Accelerated
3.5.1 Ensure students receive timely information
3.5 Increased AP/dual enrollment
needs, with 170 reported ESE
Coursework, Dual
about AP, IB, dual enrollment, programs serving
participation, completion, and
students at Gifford Middle in
Enrollment, and
the youth, scholarships, and college readiness.
postsecondary and workforce
2025-26 and 96 at
Postsecondary Support
3.5.2 Provide counseling, academic and peer
readiness.
Dodgertown Elementary.
support for students in accelerated courses.
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Strategic
Plan Area
Gifford Data / Community
Input
Solutions
Action Steps
Expected Outcomes
- Youth highlighted teacher
3.5.3 Create transition supports beyond high
quality, fear of asking for
school so students do not lose support after
help, unclean environment,
graduation.
disrespect from adults, and
lack of support for
3.6 Technology,
3.6.1 Teach life skills, attendance habits, study
3.6 Improved attendance, self-
accelerated/AP/dual-
Attendance, and Life -Skills
skills, and executive functioning.
regulation, and school
enrollment students as
Support
3.6.2 Help parents/grandparents use FOCUS
persistence.
issues.
attendance, grade, and referral alerts.
3.6.3 Educate families on sleep, screen -time
limits, phone use, bullying, and online safety.
4. Youth
Data / Community Input:
4.1 Mentoring and Trusted
4. 1.1 Create a Gifford mentor corps with trained
4.1 More youth connected to
Support
Adult Network
adults from the community, schools, churches,
trusted adults.
- Youth input identified lack of
nonprofits, sports, civic groups, and businesses.
social opportunities, need for
4.1.2 Place mentors in schools and community
safe spaces to mingle, youth
programs to intercept issues before referrals or
embarrassment asking for
arrests.
help, parent work schedules
4.1.3 Train mentors in trauma -informed care,
limiting engagement, and the
youth advocacy, and emotional regulation.
need for employers to
prioritize family involvement.
- Students and adults asked
for more mentoring,
4.2 Youth Social
4.2.1 Create youth spaces for safe interaction,
4.2 More safe, structured, and fun
youth
Y
voice, safe recreation, social
Connection and Safe
including recreation, arts, sports, STEAM,
library/bookmobile activities, and community
spaces for youth.
interaction, and prevention
Recreation
events.
before discipline.
4.2.2 Expand after-school, weekend, and
summer enrichment.
4.2.3 Address transportation so youth can
actually access programs.
4.3 Youth Leadership,
4.3.1 Establish a Youth Advisory Council for the
Gifford Thriving Children and Families Initiative.
4.3 Increased youth leadership
Voice, and Civic
4.3.2 Hold youth listening sessions and include
and ownership of community
Engagement
youth in implementation teams.
change.
4.3.3 Fund youth -led improvement projects and
community service.
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Strategic
Plan Area
Gifford Data I Community
Input
Solutions
Action Steps
Expected Outcomes
4.4 Career Exposure,
4.4.1 Expand paid internships, job shadowing,
4.4 More youth earning wages,
Internships, and Workforce
summerjobs, and pre -apprenticeships.
credentials, scholarships, and
Pathways
4.4.2 Build pathways in healthcare, construction,
career exposure.
culinary arts, education, public safety, STEAM,
and entrepreneurship.
4.4.3 Connect youth, scholarships, resume
support, financial literacy, work readiness, and
existing organizations serving the youth in this
area.
4.4.4. Provide coaching, developmental
guidance, goal planning, and basic -needs
navigation.
4.5 Prevention, Behavioral
4.5.1 Expand school-based and community -
based counselingpeer groupsand prevention
, ,
4.5 Reduced youth disconnection,
Health, and Substance -Use
truancy, discipline, substance -use
Supports
programs.
4.5.2 Partner with organizations that support our
risk, and crisis behavior.
youth.
4.5.3 Teach coping skills, conflict resolution,
drug -prevention, and help -seeking skills.
4.6.1 Educate families on sleep, screen time,
4.6 Digital Wellness and
phones, instant gratification, and online safety.
Healthy Development
4.6.2 Promote interpersonal skills, physical
activity, and face-to-face communication.
4.6 Healthier sleep, social skills,
4.6.3 Train parents/caregivers on digital
attention span, and emotional
boundaries and monitoring.
well-being.
5. Early
Data / Community Input:
5.1 Birth -to -Three Family
5.1.1 Expand Healthy Families, Healthy Start,
5.1 More children adequately
Developmen
- Kindergarten readiness
Support System
Safe Families, and home -visiting referrals.
nurtured during the first three
t and Care of
remains a concern: 73% not
5.1.2 Provide parent coaching, developmental
years of life.
Children
school -ready in 2023-24, 64%
guidance, family goal planning, and basic -needs
in 2024-25, and 61 % in 2025-
navigation.
26.
5.1.3 Prioritize families experiencing housing
instability, caregiver crisis, grief, domestic
- Indian River County
violence, mental health needs, or childcare
Children's Needs
gaps.
Assessment reports 49% of
county children are not
kindergarten -ready. 61 % of
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Gifford children are not
5.2 Early Literacy / Word
5.2.1 Launch a Gifford early literacy campaign
5.2 Increased vocabulary, early
kindergarten -ready.
Gap Campaign
focused on closing the word gap before
literacy, and love of learning
kindergarten.
before kindergarten.
- Gifford has a higher share of
5.2.2 Use bookmobiles, mobile library days,
ages 0-5 residents: 7.2%
story time in parks, reading incentives, 'Book It"
compared to 3.8%
Pizza Hut -style reading rewards, and family
countywide and 5%
literacy events.
statewide.
5.2.3 Reduce screen time and increase face -to-
- Healthy Families data
face conversation, play, songs, and reading.
shows 55% of screened
5.2.4 Recruit volunteers to read to children.
children were in the
monitoring/delay range and
11% had no medical home.
5.3 Head Start, VPK, and
5.3.1 Increase enrollment in Head Start, EOC,
5.3 Increased Head
- Communityidentified gaps
g p
School Readiness
VPK, School Readiness, and quality childcare
StartNPK/School Readiness
in night/weekend childcare,
Expansion
panso
programs.
enrollment and capacity.
emergency childcare,
5.3.2 Advocate for additional Head Start slots,
parenting knowledge,
milestones, discipline,
teachers, behavioral specialists, and
5.3.2 Increased students entering
nutrition, social media safety,
autism/developmental specialists.
kindergarten ready.
5.3.3 Create kindergarten transition and summer
word-count/literacy exposure,
bridge programs.
screen time, and the need for
5.3.4 Secure funding to train and support
Head Start resources and
daycare providers in using developmentally
specialists.
appropriate practices that help children enter
kindergarten ready to learn.
5.4.5 Secure funding to support full-day VPK
opportunities that strengthen kindergarten
readiness for Gifford children.
5.4 Emergency, Evening,
5.4.1 Explore emergency childcare for parents in
5.4 Reduced childcare barriers for
and Weekend Childcare
crisis.
working parents and parents in
5.4.2 Expand evening, night, weekend, and
crisis.
nontraditional -hour childcare for working
parents.
5.4.3 Work with ELC, childcare resources, in-
home daycare providers, nonprofits, churches,
and government partners to fund gaps.
5.5 Parent Education Pop -
Ups and Community 5.5 Is the same program listed under 2.6 with a 5.5 Increased parent knowledge
focus on early development ages 0-5. without shame or judgment.
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Outcomes
Area
GiffordStrategic Data / Community
SolutionsPlan
Input
Ambassadors for Early
Development
5.5.1 Host mini pop -ups where parents already
are: schools, clinics, parks, churches,
laundromats, workplaces, grocery distributions,
and community events.
5.5.2 Use community ambassadors from
agencies to ask parents what they need and
connect them directly to support.
5.5.3 Provide practical education on milestones,
discipline, nutrition, safety, social media, sleep,
screen time, and early learning.
5.6 Developmental
Screening, Early
5.6.1 Provide routine developmental screenings
5.6 Earlier identification of delays
Intervention, and
for ages 0-5.
5.6.2 Create referral pathways to early
and faster access to intervention.
Specialists
intervention, therapy, pediatric care, mental
health, and childcare support.
5.6.3 Track whether referrals are completed and
whether children improve after rescreening.
6. Health
Data / Community Input:
6.1 Mental Health
6.1.1 Create safe spaces for parents and
6.1 Increased awareness and
and
- Health data shows 21.5% of
Awareness Village
children to share thoughts, feelings, and needs.
reduced stigma around mental
Wellness
Gifford residents are
6.1.2 Train residents and adults to recognize
health.
uninsured; uninsured rates
crisis signs, trauma, and mental health needs.
are especially high among
6.1.3 Use community events, younger -resident
adults ages 19-54.
outreach, parent workshops, and mental health
- Those in Gifford have a 10
agency relationship -building.
year shorter lifespan than
those in the 32963 zipcode,
6.2 Access to Affordable
6.2.1 Identify providers that accept Medicaid,
6.2 Increased access to
(beachside).
Healthcare and Medication
sliding -scale, uninsured, and low-cost options.
healthcare, medication, and
- Indian River County's 2024
6.2.2 Promote agencies and clinics that accept
preventive care.
maternal mortality rate was
private insurance, Medicaid, and lower-income
81.2 per 100,000 live births,
patients.
compared with 18.7 statewide
6.2.3 Expand grants to support: patient
in Florida, indicating a rate
assistance, medication navigation, and
more than four times higher
transportation to appointments.
than the state average.
- Community input charts
6.3 Maternal, Infant, and
6.3.1 Educate hospital staff and community
6.3 Improved maternal and infant
health outcomes and reduced
identified barriers including
Doula Support
providers on Gifford -specific maternal/infant
disparities.
lack of access/awareness of
disparities.
mental health resources,
stigma, providers not
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Strategic
Gifford ..
Plan Area
Input
accepting insurance,
6.3.2 Educate the community on prenatal care,
affordability, transportation,
postpartum support, infant health, and available
poor diet/nutrition, medication
services.
affordability, lack of trust,
6.3.3 Expand doula services and affordability
misrepresentation of data,
supports.
and the need for accurate
6.3.4 Train parents and first responders on
zoning/census data.
maternal/infant health risks and crisis response.
- Community identified Black
infant mortality concerns,
including doula services,
parent training, first
6.4 Healthy Food,
6.4.1 Increase access to healthy food choices,
6.4 Improved nutrition, chronic
p
responder training, mental
Nutrition, and Life
nutrition education, diabetes/hypertension
prevention, and chronic disease supports.
disease prevention, and life
health awareness, crisis
Expectancy Supports
6.4.2 Connect residents to financial assistance,
expectancy supports.
childcare, and simplified
transportation, medication administration
street -level messaging.
education, and healthy -food resources.
6.4.3 Address drug abuse through education,
alternative positive recreational activities, mental
health education, and group counseling.
6.5 Communication of
6.5.1 Build a service communication campaign
6.5 Stronger trust and better use
Services and Trust
through advocates, community outreach,
of existing services.
Building
churches, sports programs, afterschool
programs, schools, TikTok, Instagram, and other
platforms.
6.5.2 Use community liaisons, businesses,
healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and
community leaders as messengers.
6.5.3 Simplify the message and go to the streets
rather than expecting residents to come to
agencies.
6.6 Accurate Data, Zoning,
6.6.1 Improve data collection, accurate census
6.6 More accurate resource
and Resource Targeting
counts, and accurate zoning information.
allocation and community
(Implement in All Areas)
6.6.2 Use data to target resources by
advocacy.
neighborhood need.
6.6.3 Share data in community -friendly formats
so residents understand the need and can
advocate effectively.
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Plan Area
GiffordStrategic Data I Community
Input
Solutions
Action Steps
Expected Outcomes
7.
Data / Community Input:
7.1 Safety Through Health
7. 1.1 Connect frequent emergency users to
7.1 Reduced preventable
Community
- From 2021 through 2025,
and Prevention
primary care, behavioral health, chronic disease
emergency calls and crisis
Safety
the Indian River County
support, medication assistance, and navigators.
escalation.
Sheriff's Office report shows
7.1.2 Expand health fairs, mobile clinics, mental
157,329 incident/offense
health first aid, and door-to-door awareness.
records connected to the
7.1.3 Build referral pathways between
Gifford area.
emergency services, law enforcement, schools,
- IRCSO data shows Gifford
providers, and nonprofits.
averaged 31,000
incident/offense records
per year from 2021-2025.
7.2 Community -Police
7.2.1 Re-establish regular community -law
7.2 Increased trust and
- Totals from 2021-2025:
Trust and Accountability
enforcement meetings that include residents, not
communication between residents
- More than 7,600
only formal leaders.
and law enforcement.
disturbance -related records
7.2.2 Train law enforcement in trauma -informed
- 1,791 welfare checks
care, ACEs (adverse childhood experiences),
- 387 Baker Act records
de-escalation, disability awareness, and Gifford
- More than 500 drug-related
history.
or overdose -related records
7.2.3 Create safe reporting processes so
- 159 runaway or missing
residents can share information without public
juvenile records
exposure.
7.2.4 Foster informal, relationship -building
- Community safety data from
interactions between law enforcement personnel
1/1/2025-3/30/2026 alone,
(outside of uniform) and the Gifford community.
shows:
- 1,545 emergency service
calls in Gifford from, with
7.3.1 Narrowly define SRO roles around safety,
71.65% medical calls,
7.3 School Safety Without
not classroom management.
7.3 Reduced student
showing safety is deeply tied
Criminalization
7.3.2 Require counseling, mentoring, behavioral,
criminalization and improved
to health access and
and restorative interventions before arrests
school climate.
prevention.
when appropriate.
- Sheriff's data showed 411
7.3.3 Track school referrals, arrests, and
total cases from 1/1/2026-
discipline patterns for accountability.
3/31/2026, with property -
related issues among the
most common and violent
emergency calls rare.
7.4 Road, Sidewalk,
7.4.1 Advocate for speed bumps, traffic calming,
7.4 Safer streets, sidewalks, bus
- Residents raised concerns
Lighting, and Built
signage, and safer crossings near schools,
stops, and public spaces.
related over -policing , SRO
Environment Safety
parks, and high -child areas.
use for discipline, lack of
di
7.4.2 Complete sidewalks, drainage, paving,
trust, mental health crises,
lighting, and bus shelter improvements identified
unsafe roads, speeding,
in prior Gifford Neighborhood plans.
missing sidewalks, dark
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Plan Area
GiffordStrategic Data / Community
Input
Solutions
Action Steps
Expected Outcomes
streets, and lack of safe
7.4.3 Identify dark areas and coordinate with the
public spaces.
county/FP&L for street lighting.
7.5 Safe Public Spaces and
7.5.1 Expand safe public spaces, recreation,
7.5 Increased youth safety,
Youth Prevention
local library access, shelters, and youth
community connection, and
programming.
prevention.
7.5.2 Create community hotline or trusted
reporting channel for neighborhood safety
concerns.
7.5.3 Organize volunteer cleanup, safety walks,
and community -building events.
8. Housing
Data / Community Input:
8.1 Affordable
8. 1.1 Create a homeownership pipeline for
8.1 Increased affordable
and
- 48.75% of Gifford
Homeownership and
renters, especially families with children.
homeownership and reduced
Community
households are renter-
Housing Stability
8.1.2 Provide credit repair, budgeting,
displacement.
Developmen
occupied compared with
homebuyer education, mortgage readiness, and
t
24.82% countywide and
down -payment navigation.
32.38% statewide; 71.22% of
8.1.3 Partner with SHIP, Habitat, Housing
occupied rented units have
Authority, land trusts, local builders, Mortgage
children under 18.
brokers, and banks.
- ZIP code 32967 represents
about 15-16% of Indian River
8.2 Heir Property, Probate,
8.2.1 Provide education on probate, wills, deeds,
8.2 Reduced loss of inherited
County's population but
and Tax Lien Protection
trusts, LLCs, and heir property.
familyproperty.
p p y
accounts for 36.07% of water
8.2.2 Create an emergency property
bill assistance, 33.55% of rent
preservation fund to help address tax liens and
assistance, and 30.76% of
prevent loss of family property.
FPL Care to Share
8.2.3 Host legal/property clinics with legal aid,
assistance.
churches, civic groups, legal/real estate
- Residents identified rising
professionals, and community advocates.
taxes, tax liens, heir property
loss, lack of affordable
housing, lack of
builders/developers,
incomplete
8.3 Housing Trust Fund
8.3.1 Advocate for an affordable housing trust
supported by developer contributions.
8 3 Increased developer
sidewalks/drainage/paving,fund
code enforcement barriers,
and Developer
g3.2 Require or incentivize developers to build
. q p
investment in local affordability.
and beautification needs.
Accountability
affordable units or contribute to local housing
solutions.
8.3.3 Use funds for land acquisition,
rehabilitation, affordable ownership, and
nonprofit development.
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Strategic
Plan Area
Gifford ..
Input
8.4 Infrastructure
8.4.1 Create a public tracker for incomplete
Completion and Public
Gifford Neighborhood Plan items.
8.4 Completion of long -promised
Accountability
8.4.2 Advocate for sidewalks, drainage, paving,
infrastructure improvements and
lighting, bus shelters, and traffic improvements.
increased community awareness
8.4.3 Require annual public report cards on
of County investments in Gifford
Gifford infrastructure commitments.
infrastructure.
8.5 Beautification, Code
8.5.1 Launch cleanups, beautification, and
8.5 Improved appearance, safety,
Support, and
volunteer repair teams.
and community pride.
Neighborhood Pride
8.5.2 Pair code enforcement with repair grants
and homeowner assistance.
8.5.3 Improve gateways, parks, signage, and
visible community assets.
8.6 Housing Resource
8.6.1 Establish housing navigators for rent,
8.6 Increased housing stability and
Navigation
utilities, SHIP, foreclosure prevention, rehab,
reduced crisis demand.
and legal services.
8.6.2 Create a centralized housing resource
guide.
8.6.3 Host recurring housing fairs in Gifford.
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