Roadmap for Child Success

This Roadmap for Child Success was created to provide clear, actionable recommendations to ensure that all children in Miami-Dade County are nurtured and educated in an environment that fosters opportunity for long-term success. The Roadmap was created with input from mothers, fathers and caregivers throughout our county and recommends the tools, resources and engagement opportunities necessary to raise resilient children. It also acknowledges the critical support network of professionals, including early learning educators, who help to build stronger families and communities.

These recommendations were developed through collaboration with community partners, subject matter experts, mothers, fathers and caregivers at the Mayor’s Children’s Summit hosted in late 2022. The Roadmap was further refined by The Children’s Commission Advisory Committee members in early 2023.

• The Roadmap builds on the success of child-focused organizations, creates a unified platform and increases community awareness of best practices and available programming and resources
• The Roadmap focuses on the whole child and promotes building stronger foundations for families, community equity and public-private partnerships
• The Roadmap guides local, state and federal leaders on effective policy decisions and economic investments to ensure all children thrive from the start (ages zero to five)
• The Roadmap is a guide developed by the Mayor’s Children’s Commission to make Miami-Dade County the best County in which to raise children and ensure their long-term success

Promote early learning through quality child care:

• Public awareness campaign targeted to parents and caregivers on importance of high quality child care to lifelong success
• State legislative update to income threshold for School Readiness program/subsidized child care slots based on minimum wage
• Seek local/corporate matches for The Children’s Trust early learning scholarship program for families marginally over income for school readiness
• Seek corporate matches to revamp the Child Care Executive Partnership Child Care Program
• Apply for increased slots in the Early Head Start program
• Incentivize the addition of extended hours at existing child care centers and for the expansion of overnight/evening child care centers in the downtown and hospital areas of Miami-Dade County

Strengthen the workforce for child care educators:

• Appreciation/recognition of important role early childhood educators play in preparing and teaching young children
• Development and promotion of career pathway
• State legislative change to increase provider reimbursement rates

Provide mothers, fathers and caregivers with information and improved access to early childhood development and intervention services

• Public awareness of developmental and socio-emotional milestones, including the importance of nurturing relationships, early identification, monitoring and screening
• Roadmap for parents to navigate complexity of early intervention services for children with special needs
• Community resource directory for infant mental health and trauma informed care so mothers, fathers and caregivers can navigate the complex care infrastructure system
• Simplification/streamlining of access to services with integration of early childhood components of 311, 211 or other call systems

Mental health supports for parents, caregivers and the mental health workforce

• Public awareness campaign aimed at normalizing mental health care
• Utilization of data-driven and proven tools to help families assess whether they may be undergoing or have experienced depression and/or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
• Enhanced training of mental health workforce as well as other professionals in early childhood mental health and trauma informed care

Breastfeeding support

• Promotion and normalization through awareness campaigns

Doulas for expectant mothers in high need communities

• Identification and enhancement of doula services to expectant parents in need of access to pre- and post-natal services, education and referrals

Development of No Wrong Door Comprehensive Peace and Prosperity Centers

• Addition of multidisciplinary staff and services at existing neighborhood centers

Development of streamlined trauma informed assessment and intervention process and protocols to prevent and treat Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

• Development of ACEs process, protocols and trauma informed training

Adequate family leave policies

• Development and implementation of new or expanded family leave programs and policies in the business community that adequately allow mothers, fathers and caregivers to recover and bond with their new family member(s)
• Implementation of an insurance program that allows for paid leave for mothers, fathers and caregivers to recover from birthing or receiving and caring for their new family member(s)

Inclusive and welcoming programs for mothers, fathers and caregivers

• Development of messaging that specifically includes and welcomes mothers, fathers and caregivers in materials for services for families and children
  
  

Develop and promote family-friendly community spaces and events where families can bond

• Prioritization, coordination, development of partnerships and leveraging of resources for community spaces and events among municipalities and organizations
• Promotion of family-friendly events and development of gratuitous events, particularly for children with special needs

Early Development

Early brain development and learning through quality child care is critical to success in school and in life. However, quality child care is not affordable for all families, and our early learning educators are often undervalued and consistently underpaid. This misalignment of values threatens the health of the child care industry.

We recommend:

• Developing an awareness campaign about the importance of early childhood and the role that early childhood educators play in the development of children
• Creating a curated repository of resources and information on early childhood career paths

Workforce Development and Incentivization

The transformational power of a quality child care slot for families is clear. A safe, stable, nurturing environment for young children has an impact on both the workforce of today and tomorrow. The private sector has a pivotal role to play in ensuring that working parents and caregivers can secure safe, affordable and stimulating child care to participate in the labor force, while quality child care prepares children to successfully enter the future labor market.

We recommend:

• Updating the State School Readiness Subsidized Child Care Program for parents who work or go to school. Matching income eligibility to the state median income would shield against inflation, improve program access and ensure that the program can work as intended
• Raising provider reimbursement rates for School Readiness at the state level. Current rates are too low for the services rendered
• Engaging local government and the private sector to develop a philanthropic, corporate match to The Children’s Trust early learning scholarships. Families should be provided the opportunity to receive scholarships that allow access to quality and equitable early learning services across Miami-Dade. For those who do not qualify for the Head Start or School Readiness programs, but continue to face economic challenges, it should be a priority to build on the scholarship program model operated by The Children’s Trust. The ever-increasing waiting list of these programs can be cured through cooperation with South Florida’s business community
• Incentivizing the Child Care Executive Partnership Program (CCEP) to provide corporate funds for child care for employees. The CCEP match program through the Early Learning Coalition allows for a corporate match to supplement School Readiness subsidies for parents who qualify. Qualified employers should be incentivized to invest as needed through the CCEP
• Enhancing access to Child care after hours and on weekends, starting with a pilot program around Miami-Dade County’s Hospital District, downtown and Brickell areas. Local funding could be used to incentivize programs that offer longer care hours based on local economic and employee needs

Increase Capacity and Funding for Miami-Dade County’s Head Start Programs

Head Start and Early Head Start are proven, two-generation intervention programs with high-quality comprehensive early childhood programming and integrated, holistic, wrap around social services for families from at risk backgrounds. Due to the increased need for comprehensive high quality early childhood programming across Miami-Dade’s communities, the Head Start/Early Head Start programs must be fully funded to face the current workforce challenges and meet the growing need for additional Early Head Start slots in underserved neighborhoods.

We recommend:

• Advocating for a 20-25 percent cash match from Miami-Dade County to supplement the in-kind, volunteer-based match being provided by program participants
• Advocating to members of Miami-Dade’s state legislative delegation, and the Florida Legislature, to provide funding equal to that of Miami-Dade County’s committed resources
• Advocating to members of the Miami-Dade’s federal legislative delegation, and the U.S. Congress, to provide funding increases for the Early Head Start and Head Start Programs
• Applying for additional Head Start and Early Head Start slots for Miami-Dade County

Develop Early Intervention Identification and Public Service Campaigns

We must prioritize public awareness for early intervention services for children with developmental delays or special needs, increase access to these services by investing in an expanded early intervention workforce and advocate for equity in provider reimbursement(s).

We recommend:

• Developing a public service campaign focused on early identification and intervention that contains: (1) the importance of early intervention; (2) developmental and socio-emotional milestones; (3) monitoring/screening

Develop a Roadmap of Early Intervention Services for Families

Currently, families must navigate multiple and competing systems to access needed education and intervention services for their children with special needs.

We recommend:

• Providing information and guidance of services and providers for first-time parents to assist in the navigation of this complex system of resources and support services
• Integrating early childhood service mapping efforts of the 211 system, the 311 system, the Early Learning Coalition Warm Line and Services and the Young Children with Disabilities and Special Needs Council to organize services available to families and provide more consolidated access points

Create a Highly Trained Early Intervention Professional Workforce

There are major gaps in early intervention services due to a lack of access to trained professionals, a limited number of providers, and the presence of early intervention deserts across South Florida. These issues are exacerbated by insufficient funding for scholarships and coverage by insurance.

We recommend:

• Identifying and pursuing additional funding opportunities for more readily available early intervention services, the enhanced training and accreditation of professionals that work with children in early childhood mental health, and trauma-informed care and also increase access to infant mental health professionals

Develop a Community Resource Directory for Infant Mental Health and Trauma-Informed Care

We recommend:

• Developing a directory for infant mental health and trauma-informed care

Provide Parents and the Workforce with Health Care and Mental Health Services

Expectant parents and adults who care for young children often experience challenges when they express a need for or attempt to access physical or mental health care. There is a persistent stigma surrounding mental health, compounded by limitations in the availability of and access to services, as well as a myriad of ongoing and historical barriers.

We recommend:

• Utilizing data-driven and proven tools that help families identify whether they may be undergoing or have experienced depression and/or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) through Patient Health Questionnaires, specialized ACEs Questionnaires or the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)
• Developing and implementing public awareness and advocacy efforts that focus on normalizing mental health

Create a Professional and Highly Trained Doula Workforce

Doulas are trained professionals who provide support to expectant families. Evidence shows that doulas can be trusted members of a family’s pregnancy care team, and provide continuous labor support that is critical to both positive birth outcomes and patient experiences.

Doula services include childbirth education, relaxation and stress management techniques for labor, physical education, including breastfeeding education, and postpartum support. Modes of services include text, virtual, phone and in-person support. Doulas should be utilized to address the following:

• Post-pandemic increases in disparities in preterm births, low-birth weight, stillbirths, postpartum depression and stressors due to increased negative socioeconomic factors faced by expectant parents
• Increased demand for midwifery care and home birth occurrences and a need for autonomy in exercising choice of birthing options

We recommend:

• Identifying and funding both training and mentoring programs for professional doulas to provide care for qualifying expectant mothers and families in need of free access to critical prenatal services, education and referrals to other supports during pregnancy and the postpartum period

Promote Breastfeeding to Give Infants a Healthy Start

Supporting and normalizing breastfeeding through awareness events and media and digital Campaigns. These campaigns should focus target communities where disparities in breastfeeding rates already exist.

We recommend:

• Identifying community disparities in breastfeeding rates, meeting with community leaders or organizations with close ties to these communities, and developing messages with related media and digital campaigns, that address: (i) the importance of breastfeeding; (ii) supports for parents who cannot breastfeed; and (iii) legislation and best practices that support employees who breastfeed

No Wrong Door Multidisciplinary and Family Centered Comprehensive Peace and Prosperity Centers

These Centers, located in neighborhoods affected by violence, would focus on crime and violence prevention and intervention. They would focus on a re-entry approach that incorporates the entirety of a child’s support structure, leveraging collaboration with community-based organizations and governmental agencies to deliver Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s No Wrong Door Approach. Lastly, these centers would staff professionals across a diversity of disciplines which would explore new opportunities for increased funding and growth. Incorporating a family-centered approach and universal case management system to this model will allow professionals of different disciplines to provide a more coordinated delivery of services and create increasingly effective treatment plans.

We recommend:

• Enhancing the current models of Miami-Dade County’s Children’s Neighborhood Resource Centers and creating Comprehensive Peace and Prosperity Centers
  
  

Develop a Streamlined Trauma-Informed Assessment and Intervention Process and Training Protocols to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

We recommend:

• Implementing a streamlined evidence-based and trauma-informed assessment and intervention process and protocols that focus on addressing and preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) at the prospective Peace and Prosperity Comprehensive Centers and at other County and non-profit programs

Provide Professional Development Training Protocols for Trauma-Informed Practices

The implementation of professional development regarding trauma-informed practices throughout Miami-Dade County’s departments would require personnel with experience dealing with the issues of child welfare, juvenile services, and other related subject matter or whose personnel would interact with victims, at-risk individuals, and affected residents.

We recommend:

• Developing and implementing an enhanced training protocol which would include improving personnel’s understanding of ACEs, best practices for cultural responsiveness and informing participants of the numerous challenges faced by the individuals they would be serving and interacting with

Develop a Family-friendly Community

Stressed parents can benefit from more welcoming, inclusive family events with their children. Currently, many families may not be aware of the free or low-cost family-friendly opportunities already available. There is also a need to offer more free or low-cost amenities and services for families with children with disabilities.

We recommend:

• Prioritizing the development of a community designed with parents in mind, including a robust schedule of gratuitous family-friendly events and recreation areas
• Coordinating the plans of municipalities and organizations within Miami-Dade County to better plan for public spaces where families can relax and play together
• Ensuring that partnerships are established and leveraged so that services reach children with disabilities and their families, promote evidence-based health and fitness programs through public-private partnerships and provide environmental literacy programming through awareness, stewardship, and conservation initiatives

Increase Awareness and Access to Free and Low-Cost Family Events and Opportunities

• Miami-Dade County and its partners coordinate to ensure that families are made aware of family-friendly opportunities through both print and digital media. Additionally, the feedback of mothers, fathers and caregivers who participate in these opportunities should be sought and incorporated into existing or planned initiatives and actions
• Collaborating with existing sponsors and seeking new sponsors to ensure that gratuitous events in Miami-Dade County are adequately provided
• Developing additional financial options that can be offered that result in lowered costs for families with children with a disability

Expand Family Leave Programs and Policies

The transition to parenthood for mothers, fathers and caregivers brings expectations of joy and wonder. However, the reality of childbirth, the demands of a new baby and challenges in reconfiguring work relationships can bring mothers, fathers and caregivers exhaustion, confusion, and stress, sometimes leading to anxiety and depression. Maternal depression affects up to 25 percent of women during pregnancy, 10–15 percent during the first postnatal year and has been shown to double the rate of emotional–behavioral difficulties in children at four (4) years of age when compared to children of symptom-free women. Mood disorders among fathers have been studied to a lesser degree, but emerging evidence suggests parallels in the extent and impact of paternal perinatal depression and anxiety.

Paid parental leave is a benefit for the whole family - it reduces financial stress, allows parents to focus on bonding with their child, and increases parental equality when fathers have more time to participate in child care duties. It helps retain valuable employees and improves child health and development, as well as maternal and paternal well-being, and it has been linked to boosting workforce productivity and long-term economic growth.

We recommend:

• Developing new or expanded family leave programs and policies that allow parents to recover and bond with their new family member(s)
• Implementing an insurance program that allows for paid leave for parents to recover from birthing or receiving and caring for their new family member(s)

Ensure Inclusive Messaging of Parents and their Children

It is important for healthcare providers to provide prenatal and post-natal support for both mothers and fathers, during and after pregnancy. Encouraging fathers to participate in prenatal classes, ultrasounds, and the birth of their child, and allowing them to discuss their concerns and experiences with professionals, can help promote their involvement in caregiving responsibilities. Additionally, efforts should be made to break down traditional patterns of exclusive maternal care and promote shared parenting and caregiving responsibilities. Employers should provide parental leave and flexible work arrangements for both mothers and fathers to support their transition to parenthood and promote work-life balance.

We recommend:

• Promoting a culture that values and prioritizes the well-being of families and children
• Ensuring that mothers, fathers and caregivers all be specifically included and welcomed in the messaging of services for families and children