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New Advisory Board Will Assess Children's Needs

A new advisory board will work to help assess children’s needs in Alachua County.

The Children Services Advisory Board will consist of nine members representing multiple organizations involved in the well-being of children.

Members of the Department of Children and Families, the Health Department, the Superintendent of Alachua County Schools and a judge will all hold places on the board. Five additional members will be chosen by the Board of County Commissioners after applying.

Dorothy Benson, a member of the Southwest Activist Group, said that one of the biggest goals of the board is to help improve the quality of and access to affordable child care in the county.

Using the board to build teams within the county to address specific issues can combine resources and reduce wasted time and money, said Dorothy Thomas, another member of the Southwest Activist Group.

“It’s going to be unbelievable … we’re going to be able to reach new heights and do things nobody ever realized we could do,” Thomas said.

Lucas is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.