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Learn more about Worst To First, a statewide advocacy campaign to make children's issues the top priority for Florida's leaders.

Community Report

In the Beginning

Through a series of listening projects and community analysis in 2004, Whole Child determined the following about our community:

Strengths of our Community

  • More women receive prenatal care than in the past.
  • More children are immunized than the state average.
  • Domestic violence is down.
  • Residents feel safer in their neighborhoods.
  • Leon has among the state’s lowest unemployment and high school dropout rates.
  • Leon’s median income is $7,000 higher than the state average.
  • Leon has several model child care centers.
  • Most parents say they read to their children.

Our Community's Challenges

  • Leon has more low birth weight babies and a higher infant mortality rate than the state average, especially high among African Americans.
  • Leon has a growing number of babies at high risk of developmental problems.
  • Infant maltreatment is on the rise.
  • Nearly 40% of abuse involves children under age 6.
  • Almost 40% of new births are to single moms.
  • Many neighborhoods are isolated and not designed to support children or interaction among neighbors.
  • More than 40% of children live in poverty.
  • There is a lack of affordable, quality child care.
  • Leon has a higher than average number of children entering school not ready to learn and retained in kindergarten.

Since that time, Whole Child has worked with community leaders to delve further into determining the root causes of our challenges and in finding ways to more effectively serve our young children and their families. Below are our a few of most recent annual reports that outline specific goals and accomplishments.

Annual Reports

The 2006 Annual Report outlines how Whole Child Leon is building community commitment to children 0-5 and improving access to and utilization of services through Action Teams, the Steering Committee, the Professional Network and the Leadership Council. Click the link below to download a copy of the full publication.

application/pdf2006 WCL Annual Report.pdf 3.01 MB

The 2007 WCL Annual Report outlines the many accomplishments that took place over the year, including: the KidCare initiative; the inaugural Family-Friendly Business Award; Establishing the Whole Child Training Academy; Getting a permanent home for Whole Child Leon; Producing the Catching Smiles musical CD; Initiated the Quality Rating and Improvement System for Child Care Centers.

application/pdf2007 WCL Annual Report.pdf 2.51 MB

In the 2008 Annual Report, we highlight success stories and significant steps in key areas as well as our plan for the future. Every one of our 90-plus collaborative partners shares a vision for the day when all children in Leon County are healthy at age 1, making appropriate progress, and entering kindergarten ready to succeed. If any group of people can create that day for our community, it is the many partners of Whole Child Leon. With this report, we issue a challenge. Please make giving children a good start in life a priority in the decisions you make, the issues you champion and the programs you support. Join Whole Child Leon in building a community where everyone works together to make sure children thrive.

application/pdf2008 WCL Annual Report.pdf 3.04 MB

Future of Whole Child Leon

In the beginning of 2009, through a series of community engagement retreats, the following three major priorities were established:

Healthy at Age 1

Priority: A multi-year commitment to a significant reduction in the infant mortality rate.

Measurable Action Items:

  • Increase number of home visits by the time a child reaches age 1 by ___ % of children.
  • Increase the number and percentage of mothers breastfeeding.
  • Establish medical benchmarks for pregnant mothers, new mothers and babies.
  • Develop a coordination plan for Whole Child Leon to work with HAB and to include community experts.

Making Appropriate Progress

Priority 1: A multi-year commitment to a significant increase in affordable quality child care.

Measurable Action Items:

  • Increase the number of quality child care sources.
  • Implement the Quality Rating System.
  • Conduct a campaign to support quality child care centers.
  • Establish Pilot Project: A Business-Child Care Center Co-op.

Priority 2: A multi year commitment to a uniform system of periodic screening, assessment and follow-up for all children.

Measurable Action Items:

  • Create blue-ribbon committee to choose the tools our community uses for screening
  • Develop a basic self-screening tool for parents.
  • Implement an educational campaign for parents on the WHY and HOW of screenings.

Entering Kindergarten Ready to Succeed

Priority: A multi-year commitment to a significant increase in children entering kindergarten ready to succeed in school and life.

Measurable Action Items:

  • By _________ have experts (parents, teachers, administrators and kindergarten teachers) define the criteria of success
  • By _________ have an early childhood to kindergarten transition plan in place

*This model would have all three goals on a linear path, with the second and third goals as further developments of the preceding goals. Whole Child Leon’s goals are that children are healthy at age 1, make appropriate progress, and enter kindergarten ready to succeed. Community Education is essential, involves all aspects of the community, and is communicated through each action item.