Council Update: Investing in Children’s Services Council Provides Significant Economic Return, Study Finds

Palm Beach County saw a $6 return for every $1 Children’s Services Council invested in local children and families, according to a 10-year analysis of CSCPBC that staff shared with the board at its October meeting. 

“The findings show that CSC Palm Beach Children’s Services Tax has generated substantial, measurable economic value over the past 10 fiscal years,” reported Partner for Better, the Missouri-based nonprofit that conducted the evaluation and analysis.

Established 40 years ago by Palm Beach County voters, Children’s Services Council is an independent, local government – created by the community, for the community – to improve the lives of local children and families. CSC is funded with property taxes, with 93% of its budget supporting programs and services for children and families.

CSC is one of the largest funders of programs for children in Palm Beach County. Last year alone, programs funded by CSC reached more than 183,000 children.

Researchers at Partner for Better found that over the 10-year period, Palm Beach County saw $6.7 billion in total economic value. The analysis used the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) cost-benefit model as its foundation. This widely recognized national framework estimates a program's effect on outcomes such as crime, education, child maltreatment and health, then assigns dollar values to those outcome changes. 

For each CSC funding category, Partner for Better matched program data to comparable WSIPP programs, averaging estimates where more than one match existed. Where no WSIPP match was available, rigorous peer-reviewed evaluations were used.

“This study confirms the value Children’s Services Council continues to bring to Palm Beach County,” said Lisa Williams-Taylor, CEO of Children’s Services Council. “The programs and services we fund today ensure local children and families get the support they need to thrive now and in the future. This kind of long-range approach benefits us all by building a safer, healthier and more stable community.”

Williams-Taylor continued by saying, “We are proud of our impact, appreciative of our providers for their dedication and thankful to Palm Beach County residents for their continued investment in our community’s children.” 

In other business

A Day at the Norton: Staff shared with the Council photos and details about the successful CSC at 40: A Day at the Norton Museum event, which took place September 19 in West Palm Beach. Children’s Services Council invited local families, providers, council members and staff to get artsy as CSC recognized 40 years of impact. This event was a special thank you to providers and their staff for their dedication, and to our community for their investment in our children. More than 535 children and their families joined 30-plus CSC volunteers and CSC Chair Jose-Luis Rodriguez at the Norton, enjoying an art activity, art scavenger hunt, snacks, free t-shirts, resources and docent-led tours in English, Spanish and Creole. Several people, including CSC staff, mentioned this was their first visit to the museum. 

GII Kick-off Event: The Great Ideas Initiative Kick-Off Event on October 13 marked the beginning of an exciting year and honored CSC’s 23 GII and 6 Capacity Building  Pipeline awardees for fiscal year 2026-2027. Hosted in the CSC lobby, several Council members joined the festivities, including Vice Chair Tom Weber, School Board member Erica Whitfield, Thomas Bean and County Commissioner Joel Flores. Awardees participated in photo opportunities and enjoyed time building connections with each other.

Roof Replacement: The Council approved an agreement with RYCARS Construction for up to $1.125 million to replace the roof on the Council’s 20-year-old, 100,000-square-foot building. The complex work includes removing and reinstalling a 35.96 kW solar array and the lightning protection system, as well as removal and installment of the roof itself.