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The Summit will be held between the primary and November elections, and the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial candidates will be invited to attend. The Summit will feature an hour-long discussion by the gubernatorial candidates about children and family policies in Florida. Outgoing Governor Jeb Bush, who is not permitted to run for re-election, is expected to attend.
Legislative sponsors of the event are Rep. J.C. Planas, R-Dade County, Rep. Loranne Ausley, D-Leon County, Senator Nan Rich, D-Broward, and Senator Durell Peaden, R-Escambia. The Summit arose during an IdeaRaiser convened during 2006 Children's Week in Tallahassee, which took place during the 2006 legislative session. The IdeaRaiser was one of several held around the state by Rep. Marco Rubio, R-Dade, the incoming Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. "The involvement of these legislators means that the public policy recommendations from the Summit will be seriously considered by the 2007 Legislature and for years to come," said Clark.
Clark hopes that the Summit will pave the way for improvements to Florida's juvenile justice system, long a priority for the Eckerd Family Foundation. More than 100,000 of Florida's most troubled youth came into contact with the juvenile justice system last year. The system needs effective evidence-based diversion, assessment and treatment services to determine the appropriate intervention needed to change the behavior of the youth involved. Such intervention and treatment can only be effective if offered by a well-trained and professional workforce. "The Summit will focus attention on this pressing issue and will be the springboard for meaningful reforms," Clark said.
Besides the Eckerd Family Foundation, other sponsors include Children's Services Council of Florida, Inc., Healthy Families Florida, Nova Southeastern University, Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, and The Children's Trust.