Jacksonville Children's Commission

The Jacksonville Children’s Commission provides support to parents and neighborhoods so that children can grow up safe, healthy and prepared to be successful in school and life.  The Commission is one of eight children’s services councils in Florida and under the guidance of its board of directors, it provides planning, funding and evaluation for prevention and early intervention programs for children, from birth through high school.  These programs are designed to reduce the financial and human costs of special education, school failure, child abuse and neglect, foster care, juvenile justice and crime.

• Office of the Director – Oversees general operations, grants administration, research and evaluation, nutrition and community outreach.
• Training and Workforce Development (Training, Evaluation and Research) – Provides training and screening for mentors and training for parents, professionals and volunteers in child development and youth-related issues.
• Mayor’s Early Literacy Program – Transforms child care centers from babysitting to early learning care through support, coaching and training.  Encourages early literacy through the Mayor’s Book Club, a book distribution and special event program for all Duval County four-year-olds.
• Don Brewer Early Learning Center – A state-of-the-art early learning center serving newborns to four-year-olds who live in Jacksonville’s Eastside neighborhood.

• Over the last three years, the Commission has raised $323,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to supplement funding for Mayor’s Book Club.  This includes $85,000 for fiscal year 2010-11.
• One contract compliance position in fiscal year 2010-11, in addition to other significant staff reductions in past years.