News

In Florida, a state where water abounds from beaches to backyards, over 100 children who had autism or were being evaluated for it have drowned since the start of 2021, according to the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County.

Organizations across Palm Beach County celebrate the month with events, proclamations and campaigns that spread the word about local and national resources. To

More than $132,000 invested by CSC provided children who have cerebral palsy, down syndrome, autism, developmental delays and rare genetic disorders with such durable equipment as wheelchairs, strollers, orthotics, communication devices and adaptive tricycles. 

With $4.5 million from Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, child care providers who accept School Readiness or Head Start funding received a one-time grant ranging from $6,000-$12,000, depending on the number of children they are licensed to care for. 

About 76 percent of the more than 6,900 applications received were awarded scholarships – and 92 percent of those awarded were used.

The 2023-24 CPPA results reflect an improvement over the previous year, as organizations continue to recover from the global pandemic.

During the event, more than 100 families browsed the donated toys and items, and “shopped” for ones their children would love. 

Of the children attending camp, 1,000 were unsheltered or served by the child welfare or juvenile justice systems. 

The Council underwent an intensive, six-month strategic planning process, meeting with a cross-section of residents – families, partners, nonprofit providers and CSC staff – to hear what they had to say. 

When considering other child outcomes, families who received CSC-funded services tended to fare better than those who did not. 

In the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, the Council will continue funding programs that support its mission, so the community’s children are born healthy, grow up with safe and nurturing families, and are ready to learn when they enter school. 

Under the proposed millage rate, a Palm Beach County owner of a single-family home with an assessed property value of $375,000 (with $50,000 in typical exemptions) would pay about $160 in ad valorem taxes to the Council in 2024-2025. 

The Council has supported the GII since 2016. This year, it received 54 applications, 50 percent more than last year. 

The children explored acrylic paints, spray paint, clay and watercolor, using art as a way to express themselves and celebrate their community. 

The recommendations come after a year of work, in which CSC staff engaged the community numerous times in meaningful discussions about what’s working, and what could be improved, when it comes to child care in our community. 

As the alliance – which involves dozens of local organizations including CSC and the county’s Youth Services Department, providers, parents and youth - strategizes for the future, it has outlined the core components of its upcoming plan: safety, education, economics and mental health. 

The study – believed to be the largest of its kind in the United States related to autism and drownings – identified 109 drownings in Florida involving children with autism since 2012. 

Both the Cigna Gold Healthy Workforce Designation and the Mental Health America Bell Seal Platinum Award reveal CSC's commitment to employee health and wellness.

CSC invested more than $137,000 to purchase 56 pieces of medically necessary equipment for children with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Spina Bifida and rare genetic conditions. 

Dr. Winn partnered with Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County and the School District of Palm Beach County on the project, which brought together high school and college students who interviewed community elders to learn, gather and present information about what life was like growing up in Palm Beach County.

Overall performance has continued to improve as providers recover from the impact of Covid-19. However, programs outlined multiple, persistent barriers hampering their ability to meet the community’s needs. 

About 52,600 Palm Beach County children and their families benefited from early intervention and prevention services funded by Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County in fiscal year 2023-2024. 

As Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures approaches its 10th year, organizers agreed it was time to reconnect with the community to evaluate next steps. 

Hear from Lisa Williams-Taylor, our CEO, as she shares the powerful stories of former clients who are now providing support to our community.

Hear from Mirian, an employee of BRIDGES of Lake Worth West. She was a lawyer in the Dominican Republic when she made the decision to come to the United States. BRIDGES provided a bridge to her new life in South Florida, giving her a sense of community. She is now helping others cross that bridge into establishing new lives.

Hear from Ketthia, a prenatal screener at Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Palm Beach County. Ketthia once was a teen mom who sought support from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies. She now is the one calling pregnant moms to offer support and connect them to services.

Hear from Chantal, a staff member at BRIDGES of Lake Worth. Chantal left Haiti after the 2010 earthquake shattered her world. She learned to speak English at BRIDGES of Lake Worth. Chantal is now working at BRIDGES, offering the same support she once received.

These programs provide lawyers for children in the court system, support for families with mental health and substance abuse challenges and child care scholarships for relatives raising children, to name a few. 

This is the third consecutive year the council has reduced the millage to the rolled-back rate. 

The children explored acrylic paints, spray paint, clay and watercolor, using art as a way to express themselves and celebrate their community.