Who We Are

About The Policy Group

The Policy Group for Florida's Families and Children is an independent, analytical group of statewide leaders that develops and supports public policies focusing on the well-being of families and children that are grounded in evidence-based research. The Policy Group promotes efforts that bring together diverse groups of stakeholders to research and develop policy, that inform key audiences such as professionals, state agency heads, legislators and funders, and that expand alliances and networks of voices who share the same vision.

The Policy Group conducts policy analyses in domains where outcome measures reflect poor performance, and measurable changes in context indicate need for review of current policy. We provide analyses so that Florida's leaders know what differences make a difference, and we center our efforts on building upon and using the strengths, assets and resources that already exist in communities. Policy Group Fellows believe that an integrated system of services with a prevention focus is the best way to produce positive child and youth outcomes. (See The Policy Group Model for Ensuring the Well Being of Florida's Children.)

The impetus for the development of The Policy Group came from the statewide organization of Children's Services Councils. Fellows of the Policy Group are nominated and selected through a process that considers the nominee's historical contribution to the general welfare of children and families. The Policy Group includes leaders from statewide and local organizations and universities with long histories of concern about the well-being of Florida's families and children. The Fellows of The Policy Group bring to the table statewide perspectives, local perspectives in implementing change in Florida communities, experience in policy analysis and development, and research and evaluation.

The specific issues and topics addressed by The Policy Group are strategically selected by the Board with input from other leaders in Florida based on their potential to have a large positive impact on Florida's families and children. The Policy Group identifies and studies policies and practices that have proven successful, or have the potential to be successful, in promoting outcomes such as healthy births, child growth and development, educational success, family stability and safe and supportive communities. The group has conducted searches within Florida, across the country and internationally to identify promising policies and practices. These studies are producing practical, easy to understand reports that can serve a broad public education function. The Policy Group is objective in researching and responding to issues and serves as a resource to state and local government and the private sector by responding to specific requests for assistance that are consistent with its mission.

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Our Mission

The mission of The Policy Group for Florida's Families and Children is to inform public opinion and build political will for a research-based policy agenda that respects, values and fully supports Florida's families and their children.

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Our Vision

The vision of The Policy Group for Florida's Families and Children is that, together, we will ensure a generation of young people who grow up to be responsible adults - ready, willing and able to contribute to self, to family and to their community. The Policy Group believes that to realize this vision we must focus our thinking on identifying and promoting evidence-based policies and practices that produce healthy births, healthy child growth and development, educational success, family stability and safe and supportive communities.

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Policy Group Fellows

Name	Title	Organization
Modesto E. Abety	President and CEO	The Children's Trust
Tana Ebbole	Chief Executive Officer	Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County
Ed Feaver	Director	The Whole Child Project Leon
Doug Sessions	President	The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida Inc.
Steve Freedman, Ph.D., FAAP, NASI	Professor Emeritus Pediatrics and Political Science	The University of Florida
Mary Freeland	Consultant	Jupiter, FL
Peter Gorski, M.D., M.P.A.	Director of Program Impact and Innovation	The Children's Board of Hillsborough County
Ted Granger	President	United Way of Florida
Carol McNally	Executive Director	Healthy Families Florida, Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida
Dee Jeffers, R.N., M.P.H.	Program Director	Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, USF
Phyllis Kalifeh	President/CEO	Children's Forum
James E. Mills, ACSW	Chairman Emeritus	Florida Children's Services Council
Carmel Munroe, Ph.D.	Director	The Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families, Orlando
Luanne J. Panacek, Ed.D.	Executive Director	Children's Board of Hillsborough County

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