CSC Leon Approves $2.5 Million in Spending, Funds New Staff Position

On Wednesday, March 5th, 2025, the Children’s Services Council of Leon County held a Governing Council Meeting. Provided below are the meeting briefs.

Executive Director’s Report

On February 28th, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis reappointed Mr. Paul Mitchell and Mr. Mark O’Bryant to the Council, as well as appointing Ms. Allison Richards, she also serves as an aide to County Commissioner Christian Caban. The terms for these appointees will end in December 2028.

Two CSC Leon Team Members were acknowledged by community partners for their work.

Dina E. Snider, Director of Programs and Finance, was recognized by The Oxford Academy (Creative Minds) for her work with them and other Community Investment Partners during the 2023-24 year.

Cecka Rose Green, Executive Director, received the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Justice Award for Community Impact, from the MLK Foundation of Florida/Inter-Civic Council – Southern Christian Leadership Conference (ICC-SCLC)/Leon County Government.

Out-of-School Programs

The Council voted 8-1 to approve the allocation of $2.5 million towards 13 new Out of School programs in Leon County. On October 16, 2024, the CSC approved issuing a request to expand high quality and year-round OST programs in Leon County. The goal with these programs are to foster youth development, support academics and reduce juvenile crime.

The evaluation panel invited qualified vendors to submit proposals, and they received 21 responses. Through a lengthy review process that includes rating each proposal by categories with a score out of 120 points, and an interview with the panel, each proposal was given a final score. The selected proposals were all given a score of 85% or higher, and the panel also examined for diversity of programs to ensure a well-rounded investment. The panel came to a conclusion that the total funding of $2.5 million will go towards supporting 13 programs, 7 year-round and 6 summer-only programs. The year-round programs will reach 452 students, and the summer-only programs will reach 765 students.

The year-round programs include Bethel Christian Academy: $177,095, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Big Bend: $431,685, Brownsville Seeds of Literacy, Inc.: $420,233, Camp Summer Garden, Inc.: $98,105, Foundation4ARTS, INC.: $224,227, Institute for Music Business, LLC.: $164,344, and Omega Lamplighters, Inc.: $225,686.

The summer-only programs include Diamonds in the Rough Sports, Entertainment and Educations, Inc.: $240,000, Dynamic Xplosion Cheer: $64,792, EmpowerED Youth Network: $119,274, FSU Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement: $69,043, Reach One Youth Organization, Inc.: $191,000, and Tallahassee Nights Live Performing Arts Foundation: $86,588.78.

Staffing Request

The Council voted 8-1 to approve a staffing request for a new full-time position within the Children’s Service Council. A new “Administrative Services Coordinator” will be hired as a full-time position with benefits as to lessen the “revolving door” of staff members for the Children’s Service Council. The position will cost approximately $86,200 per year with $47,000 in salary and $39,200 in benefits.

The Council briefly discussed their strategic planning for kindergarten readiness, youth development, and family support services. This was updated from last month’s meeting, and the council plans to have another strategic planning session after council vacancies are filled.