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The Growth Partnership |
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For more than a decade, the Collins Center has addressed major problems including conflict resolution for consumers and businesses, effective governance and civic participation, education reform for the next generation of Floridians and catastrophic insurance coverage for Florida's homeowners.Now in its second decade, the Collins Center has expanded its focus to include emerging public policy issues that will shape Florida in the 21st Century. The Center is also committed to incubating and supporting emerging public interest initiatives.
More information on Collins Center initiatives is shown below.
Education
Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program
A new scholarship program entitled the “The Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program” (F.S. 220.187) was passed during the 2001 legislative session with implementation commencing January 1, 2002. This scholarship program is designed to assist Florida's low-income families who want to send their children to a private school or to another public school through a scholarship program funded by corporations. Education Commission of Palm Beach
The Education Commission of Palm Beach was established to serve as a springboard for educational reform in Palm Beach County. Their mission includes carefully reviewing and evaluating the existing Palm Beach County education system, advocating for the establishment of research-based solutions, and recommending county-wide comprehensive plans to promote the successful education of their youth. Florida Civic Education
In 1999, the Collins Center for Public Policy, Inc. developed The Collins Legislative Classroom, a pilot model program designed to increase high school student knowledge about the democratic process and how government works. Elections
Collins Center - A Leader in Election Reform
Florida is a bellwether state for elections. Because of its size, its status as a major source for campaign funds, its politically divided electorate and its history as an electoral battleground, what happens in Florida affects public confidence in elections systems throughout the nation. The Collins Center is Florida's preeminent non-partisan organization with expertise in elections administration and reform. We have been involved with and assisting in Florida's election reform efforts since the days of hanging chads. Florida Voluntary Code of Fair Campaign Practices
One of the Collins Center's early projects was a 1991 convening of citizens that devised the Florida Voluntary Code of Fair Campaign Practices for candidates, news media and the public. Elections Reform
Following the Election 2000 controversy in Florida, Governor Jeb Bush asked the Collins Center to organize and staff the Governor's Select Task Force on Elections Procedures, Standards and Technology. Its purpose was to research the best practices for elections procedures and standards and to find the best available technology, to take public testimony and input, and to recommend solutions to the Governor and the Legislature. Hosted Initiatives
Overtown Men's Health Study
The Overtown Men's Health Project is an ambitious undertaking by two programs—Community Voices Miami, based at the Collins Center for Public Policy, and the The Growth Partnership, also a Collins Center initiative. At the center of the Overtown Men's Health Project is a detailed study, the Overtown Men's Health Study. The study was designed for the historic African American neighborhood just north of downtown Miami, Florida. The extensive questionnaire, administered during the spring of 2005 to men in Overtown over 18, assessed their health status, behaviors, knowledge and access to care. Council for Sustainable Florida
The Council for Sustainable Florida is a subsidiary of the Collins Center, joining our organization in July 2004. The Council is a unique collaboration of business, government and citizen leaders who are committed to conserving Florida's vast natural and economic resources. Community Voices Miami
Community Health Workers
Community Health Workers are known around the world as lay health advisors, community health advisors, community health representatives, or promotoras. Due to the international success of this health profession, CHWs are becoming increasing popular in the United States with training programs springing up across the country. Community Voices Miami and Oral Health
Medicaid Oral Health Pilot
Community Voices Miami at the Collins Center for Public Policy has been following the Medicaid Oral Health Pre-Paid Pilot in Miami-Dade County since its inception in 2004. The goal is to provide the Agency for Health Care Administration, legislators and stakeholders with the best available evidence of the Pilot's performance in comparison with the pre-existing state-managed dental Medicaid program for children. Community Technology Initiative
The Community Technology Initiative at the Collins Center for Public Policy, Inc. aims to create digital opportunity for all South Florida citizens by strengthening the infrastructure, support and resources necessary for technology-related access and training. While technology and the internet are accessible to a large proportion of the South Florida population, the gap for those at the bottom of the digital divide remains. Race, income and age are factors which still determine opportunity to access equipment, the internet and computer-related training. Overtown Civic Partnership and Design Center
Redevelopment Update
Progress is being made in the historic community of Overtown. Overtown Civic Partnership and Design Center
News and Events
The latest news and events in the Overtown and surrounding communities. Overtown Civic Partnership and Design Center
Project Overview
The Overtown Civic Partnership and Design Center assists neighborhood residents and institutions to visualize, plan and execute a comprehensive community and economic development program to create a vibrant mixed-income, and mixed-used neighborhood. Community Voices Miami
Health Care for the Underserved
In June 2003, Community Voices Miami, an organization that helps fund neighborhood-based healthcare projects, joined the Collins Center as an integral part of our efforts to analyze tough issues and find creative solutions for the people of Florida and the nation. Previously Hosted Initiative:
Inter-American Forum
The Collins Center hosted the Inter-American Forum from 2001 through 2005. It is a leadership and public policy project dedicated to promoting a dynamic pro-community, pro-equity economic and trade policy agenda at the local, hemispheric and international level. It is a forum for creative and innovative people dedicated to transcending and transforming the increasingly polarized public and policy discourse about communities, globalization, regional economic integration, etc. This work will require a completely different vision of what modern communities and regions can be, new models of leadership and a critical mass of action-oriented "visioneers" who understand both the art of community building and the science of policy formulation and development. Previously Hosted Initiative:
The Funders Network for Smart Growth
and Livable Communities
The Funders' Network is an active resource and focal point for foundations, nonprofit organizations and other partners working to solve the environmental, social and economic problems created by suburban sprawl and urban disinvestment. It informs funders of critical policy and grassroots developments; enables program staff to share effective strategies and tools; builds the capacity of key constituencies to promote smart growth and livable communities; and raises awareness about the interdisciplinary nature of these issues and the need for sustained engagement by a diverse coalition of funders. The Growth Partnership
The Growth Partnership is a program that unites businesses, policymakers, and communities dedicated to revitalizing and developing Florida's urban areas.
