Our agenda

United Way’s public policy agenda forms the basis for our advocacy efforts. At the heart of our agenda is a strong commitment to early education policy.  From introducing legislation to writing letters of support to reporting on issues, United Way volunteers are acting on the issues that matter most to our community and seeking change.

In 2008, United Way supported two specific early childhood policy issues:

T.E.A.C.H. program funding

The T.E.A.C.H. Program strengthens the early childhood workforce by improving teacher qualifications, increasing teacher compensation and reducing turnover rates.

The program awards scholarships to child care professionals to advance their education. T.E.A.C.H. has been applauded widely for raising the bar in child care settings across the state and significantly lowering turnover for child care providers. It is the only quality improvement initiative supported at the state level.

Outcome:  A group of United Way Women’s Leaders traveled to Tallahassee to advocate for the continued full funding of the T.E.A.C.H. program.  The Florida legislature voted to fully fund the program at $3 million in 2008-2009.

Improvements to the Voluntary Universal Prekindergarten (VUPK) program

A constitutional amendment mandates that a “high quality” prekindergarten program be available to every four year old in Florida. Currently, more than 120,000 four-year-olds participate in the state’s ‘VUPK’ program.  However, program improvements are needed to achieve a “high quality” program, including enhanced demographic data on children enrolled, increased reimbursement, higher teacher credentials, research-based curricula, and pre- and post-assessments.

Outcome:  VPK program received a modest budget increase, but increased enrollment will result in a net decrease in funding per child.  Other efforts to improve VPK program quality failed, including effort to include degreed teacher requirements for VPK by 2010.

United Way monitored a range of public policy issues in each of our three impact areas, including:

Education

• Quality, affordable early care and education
• Adequate funding for Miami-Dade County Public Schools
• Expanded after-school programs

Income

• Workforce and affordable housing opportunities
• Financial literacy, EITC and Prosperity Campaigns
• Independent Living (support for youth ‘aging out’ of foster care)

Health

• Access to health care for the uninsured
• Medicaid/Medicaid Reform
• Community-based care for older adults
• Florida KidCare
• Risk prevention for youth

In the fall of 2008, United Way’s board will vote on its ’09 legislative priorities.