GRAND Magazine - March/April 2013 - (Page 30-31)

GrANDPartners for GrANDParents Children’s Movement of Florida Giving every child a fair shot at the American dream by JACk leviNe task force on school readiness. What I learned was so important I decided to “retire” and spend my full-time J ack Levine, special correspondent for GRAND Magazine, recently had a heart-to-heart with David Lawrence, Jr., founder of The Children’s Movement of Florida. Here is an excerpt of that interview. GRAND: What motivated you, after a 35-year career as a journalist, to become a full-time child advocate? DL: Former Florida Governor Lawton Chiles made energies on this important agenda. GRAND: What are the most important challenges facing children today? promise for success? DL: All children need the basics: Health DL: We focus on five vital areas: parent skill- and education, nurturing and love, caring and building; mentoring programs; health insurance for knowledgeable parents. all children; the quality of Florida’s pre-K program; I find it frightening that three of every four children in our country cannot enter the military because of an me do it! Back in 1996, he asked me to serve on the academic problem, physical problem, criminal-justice Governor’s Commission on Education and to chair the problem, or substance-abuse problem. GRAND: What motivated the creation of The Children’s Movement of Florida is a coalition of 325,000 Floridians dedicated to ensuring that children become the number-one priority of state lawmakers and decision-makers and that every child in Florida gets a full chance at the American dream. Children’s Movement of Florida is a member of GRANDPartners for GRANDParents. For information on how your business or organization can become a GRANDPartner for GRANDParents, contact Christine Crosby. GRAND: What initiatives show the greatest Children’s Movement of Florida? DL: A deep belief that every child needs to have a real chance to succeed in school and in life. GRAND: When you seek support from public officials to “invest in children,” what do you mean? DL: Research shows that a dollar invested wisely in the early learning years will have a return of at least seven dollars—money we won’t need to spend and affordable, accessible screening and treatment for children who may have special needs. GRAND: How can grandparents serve as advocates for all children? DL: By voting, by mentoring, and many other ways. All grandparents have the capacity to teach. Once a week I read to 4-year-olds in an early learning center; it is perhaps my most rewarding hour of the week. Our legacy will be what example we set and what difference * we make in the lives of others. Read the unabridged article. MARCH APRIL 2013 Jack Levine is the founder of 4Generations Institute and lifetime of failure and dependency. 30 GRAND on police, prosecution, prison, and in some cases, a the director of GRANDPartners for GRANDParents. MARCH APRIL 2013 GRAND 31 http://www.childrensmovementflorida.org/ http://www.grandmagazine.com/news/?p=14355 http://www.4gen.org/ http://www.grandmagazine.com/news/grandpartners-for-grandparents/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - March/April 2013

GRAND Magazine - March/April 2013
Contents
The New Age Nana’s Guide to Step-Grandparenting
Grandparentland: What a Trip!
Pearls of Wisdom
Grands Make a Hobby More Fun
Earth Day Crafts for Grandkids
Al Gore: America’s Dudley Do-Right
Children’s Movement of Florida
How to Be a Traveler, Not Just a Tourist
Have Grandkids, Will Travel
Six Tips for Safe Travel
News, Products, and Resources for Today’s Grandparents
Cash poor but home-equity rich?
Top New Gizmos for Grands
The Distance Between Us
Florida’s Relative Caregiver Program

GRAND Magazine - March/April 2013