Posted on Sun, Oct. 25, 2009

South Florida organizations push for investment in young kids

BY KATHLEEN McGRORY
kmcgrory@MiamiHerald.com

Three powerful South Florida organizations are joining forces to push for improved services for young children. And they're asking the broader business community to get on board.

Leaders of the three organizations -- the University of Miami, the Miami Business Forum and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce -- contend an investment in young children can help fuel Florida's economic evival.

"Productivity in Florida depends greatly on the level of education of our kids,'' said Isaac Prilleltensky, dean of the UM School of Education. "It's not enough to improve our public schools. It's even more important to start early on in life.'

Prilleltensky's priorities include health insurance for every child in Florida. He also wants to upgrade the skills of early childhood education providers -- and pay them like professionals.

"The research shows that for every dollar that is invested in the best early childhood education program, we can get anywhere from $3 to $18 back,'' he said.

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