What is a Children’s Services Council?

A Children’s Services Council is a unique Florida phenomenon that dedicates tax money to local programs to benefit the county’s children and families. Palm Beach County’s council is one of seven across the state.

For Our Children

“Children’s Services Council invests its resources in programs that help Palm Beach County children begin life healthy, enter school ready and thrive in quality after-school activities.”

In 1986, the citizens of Palm Beach County recognized the widening gap between the growing needs of children and their families and the limited resources available to meet those needs.

In response, they voted overwhelmingly to create a special district of local government – the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County – to specifically support the county’s most vulnerable: Our children …

Focus on Birth to 5

In order to get the best return on taxpayers’ investment both today and in the long-run, the Children’s Services Council focuses half of its resources on children ages birth to 5. The fact is that preventing issues from ever occurring is less costly in both financial and human terms that fixing them after they occur. In all, there are seven such independent special districts for children in Florida; none exists elsewhere in the country.

The majority of the Children’s Services Council’s resources are divvied up among three distinct areas of child growth: conception, birth and infancy; early care and education; and youth development. The rest is split among after-school and family support programs.  Child abuse prevention is also a goal of all. The Council also provides advocacy and oversight for programs and services that are important to the health and well-being of families throughout the community.

Unique Programs

Within its mission of primary prevention and early intervention, the Council also supports a number of unique programs that enhance services to families and the community at large. Those programs include the Parenting Center, Mentor Center, Center for Workforce Effectiveness, Touchpoints training, and the Resource Development Initiative.

A Leader in Children’s Issues

The Council’s work doesn’t stop there. Through research, analysis, accountability and evaluation, the Council uses its influence to provoke public dialogue and promote public policies that benefit Palm Beach County’s children and families.

Strengthening Future Generations

So what does all of this mean?
Palm Beach County residents understand the value of investing in children. And they are doing just that, by ensuring today’s families have the information, resources and support they need to raise future generations who are healthy, strong and self-sufficient.