~Subcommittees formed to delve into economic, education, and health
issues~
ORLANDO, FL – LAWFUEL – The Law Newswire – The Florida Council on the Social Status of Black
Men and Boys met in conjunction with the 22nd National Conference on
Preventing Crime in the Black Community on May 30, 2007, at the Caribe
Royale Resort in Orlando.
“It was a logical decision for the Council on the Social Status of
Black Men and Boys to meet during the National Conference on Preventing
Crime in the Black Community. I look forward to receiving meaningful
recommendations from the Council which address health, education, and
economic issues of black men and boys which will ultimately help
identify crime prevention initiatives,” said Attorney General Bill
McCollum.
The subcommittees on improving economic, education and health
outcomes convened prior to the full Council meeting to discuss research
strategies and issues to be addressed in the annual report due to the
Governor, Senate President and Speaker of the House on December 15,
2007. Chairman Levi Williams stressed the importance of community
support in the efforts to raise awareness about the socio-economic
conditions affecting black men and boys in the state of Florida.
“The Council is committed to developing dynamic recommendations to
change the social paradigms in education, health, and economics and to
improve the overall well-being of this population through long-term
committed efforts in the legislature and individual communities
throughout Florida,” Levi Williams said.
The public input segment had representation from throughout
Florida, Texas and even North Carolina. Participants expressed hope for
the outcomes and implementation of outcomes through the Council’s
recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature. Members of the
public also articulated specific problems in the Panhandle of Florida
limiting the educational and economic success of black men and boys.
During the meetings, the Council voted to form a new subcommittee
on Improving Foster Care and Families. Christopher Norwood, the
Vice-Chair of the Council, will chair the new subcommittee. All
subcommittees will meet and work over the summer months and a full
Council meeting will be scheduled in August. The Council welcomes all
public and private support and participation in identifying the causes
affecting the success of black men and boys and developing bold
solutions to the problems. The Council also welcomed input from the
public and elected officials who share in the vision of making a
material difference in the lives of black men and boys.
The Council will also be developing a website which will include
its statutory authority, mission statement, council members’ directory,
news releases and links to many resources valuable to its mission.
The Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys is housed
in the Office of the Attorney General. Created by the Legislature
during the 2006 Legislative Session, the Council is charged with making
a systematic study of the conditions affecting black men and boys
including homicide rates, arrest and incarceration rate, poverty,
violence, drug abuse, death rates, disparate annual income levels,
health issues and school performance. The goal of the Council is to
propose measures to alleviate and correct the underlying causes of the
conditions described above. These measures may consist of changes to the
law or systematic changes that can be implemented without legislative
action. The Council encourages you to contact us with your input at the
following contact information:
Fredrica Doctor
Research and Training Specialist for the Florida Council on the Social
Status of Black Men and Boys
Bureau of Criminal Justice Programs
Office of Attorney General
PL-01 The Capitol
850.414.3370
Fax No. 850.413.0633
Tallahassee, Florida 33299 – 1050
fredrica.doctor@myfloridalegal.com
