Children's Services Council

Elementary school children learned the basics of better nutrition by preparing simple recipes themselves.

The facility will house administrative offices and serve as a connection between the community and a multitude of service providers.

The Children’s Services Council is holding a series of listening sessions across Leon County starting next week. The council wants to get a better idea of community needs, mainly what people really want when they ask for things like family support services.

The Children’s Services Council of Leon County is preparing to dole out its first wave of funding since voters approved its creation two years ago. The first round of grantees have programs complying with the mandate, but some observers are questioning the council’s decision to award money to organizations that appear to be new or untested.

The four initial listening sessions will start an ongoing dialogue with stakeholders in determining the most critical needs for the newly-formed council to address

The virtual gathering will involve the area's many organizations that provide services and advocacy for children and families.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has named the members of the newly-created Leon County Children’s Services Council. Tallahassee Memorial Hospital CEO Mark O’Bryant, Pineview Elementary School Principal Carmen Conner, former Florida A&M University assistant pharmacy professor Zandra Glenn, the Southern Group’s Paul Mitchell and Liza McFadden have been named to the board.

Leon County residents can now apply to the local Children's Services Council. Voters approved the group on election day in a referendum. Now the county commission is responsible for vetting potential members.

Now that a Children’s Services Council has been approved by Leon County voters, the next step is creating it. County Administrator Vincent Long spoke to WFSU about the process.

A local referendum on the ballot gives voters an opportunity to start a new Children’s Services Council, but the move also means creating a new taxing authority.