This survey of 1,000 Florida voters found strong support for prioritizing early childhood development. 72% said early childhood education, development and healthcare were extremely or very important issues. Additionally, 72% said they would support the Children's Movement of Florida organization which advocates for making children the highest priority. A majority of voters would also be more likely to vote for state legislators who pledged to fund suggested programs that support early childhood. These programs were also prioritized over spending on prisons and roads.

1. Key Findings from a
Survey of Voter Attitudes in
Florida
December 13-16, 2010

2. December 13-16, 2010 / N=1,000 voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Methodology
• N=1,000 interviews conducted with registered voters
throughout the state
• Interviews conducted via live telephone operators
from December 13‐16, 2010
• Margin of error is + 3.1% at the 95% confidence level
• Interviews conducted in English and Spanish
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3. December 13-16, 2010 / N=1,000 voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Seventy-two percent (72%) say education, the development and health care of
children is “extremely” or “very” important.
Thinking about issues related to the education, development and health care of children:
How important would you say these issues are to you personally? Would you say that these issues are
extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not at all important to you personally?
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4. December 13-16, 2010 / N=1,000 voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
After hearing a brief description of the Children’s Movement of Florida,
seventy-two percent (72%) indicate they would be supportive of this
organization. This includes majorities across party lines.
The Children’s Movement of Florida is a citizen‐led, non‐partisan movement to educate political, business and
civic leaders – and all parents of the state – about the urgent need to make the well‐being and education of our infants,
toddlers and all other children Florida's highest priority. Our mission is not about raising taxes, but rather about raising
children. Florida's children deserve to be our first priority when deciding how the state's resources are spent.
Based on this mission statement, would you be supportive of this organization?
Yes
Republicans 60%
Democrats 83%
Independents 70%
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5. December 13-16, 2010 / N=1,000 voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
CMF Proposals
% %
Program Favor Oppose
A mentoring program that matches children with adult mentors who provide 66% 30%
guidance and advice. This program would cost one hundred eighty
thousand dollars to implement, monitor, and run.
Create an outreach program to enroll children eligible for state health 59% 35%
insurance coverage and expanding the number of children who receive state
health insurance coverage. These programs would cost one hundred eighty
three million dollars.
Improving the quality of the pre-kindergarten education programs in the 57% 37%
state through higher per pupil funding, recruiting more high quality
teachers, providing better lesson plans to teachers, and monitoring teacher
and pupil performance. These programs would cost eighty-nine million
dollars to create and run.
Provide on-line screening and referral tools for families that are concerned 55% 40%
their child might have a special needs related health issue. This program
would cost twenty-six million dollars to implement and run.
A public awareness campaign on the importance of early childhood 46% 48%
development and parental involvement. Parents can volunteer to receive
information and updates on this topic. This program would cost ten million
dollars to create and run.
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6. December 13-16, 2010 / N=1,000 voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
A majority of voters (57%) indicate they would be “more likely” to vote for their
state legislator if they pledged to support funding for the suggested programs
and initiatives.
If your state legislator pledged to support funding for all of the programs I just read would you be more likely or less
likely to vote for them?
Yes
Republicans 60%
Democrats 83%
Independents 70%
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7. December 13-16, 2010 / N=1,000 “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
A majority support early childhood development spending as a priority in the
budget when compared to spending for prisons, and road construction.
Now, I would like to read you a list of statements that some people have said about the upcoming state budget debate.
Please listen carefully as I read each statement and tell me if you would agree or disagree with that particular statement.

8. December 13-16, 2010 / N=1,000 “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
How much money would you be willing to contribute to this organization – less than
ten dollars, ten to twenty five dollars, twenty‐five to fifty dollars, fifty to one hundred
dollars, or more than one hundred dollars?
51%
31% or more than 3 million voters indicate they
would donate $10 or more
18%
6% 4% 2%
Less than $10 $10 to $25 $25 to $50 $50 to $100 More than
$100
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9. December 13-16, 2010 / N=1,000 “likely” voters / ±3.1% M.O.E.
Conclusions
• Voters have a strong and demonstrable level of support for the
programs of the CMF.
– They are ready to reward members of the state legislature who support
these proposals because early childhood developmental programs are of
strong importance to them.
• Among the five specific proposals tested, four proposals ‐‐
mentoring, health insurance coverage for children, improving the
voluntary pre‐K program, and special needs screening – have
support from 55% of voters or more.
– The fifth proposal – parental skill building – has fully 46% support.
• Even in match‐ups with key issues like road construction and
maintaining prisons, the funding of these programs is seen as
deserving of being a top priority. 9