Advocate for Change
Raise your voice and advocate for your neighbors-in-need.
Through their funding and community building efforts, Florida’s local United Ways are an integral part of Florida’s education and human service systems. Focusing on education, income, health, and other safety net issues they are engaged in a myriad of ways to improve the quality of life for everyone in their communities and across the Sunshine State. The United Way of Florida represents the interests of Florida’s United Ways on legislative and regulatory issues relating to education, income, and health, and also on general issues impacting the nonprofit community and related to disaster preparation, recovery, and response.
The United Way of Florida also works in concert with United Way Worldwide on issues of importance to United Ways, the communities we serve and other nonprofits. Visit the United Way Worldwide website to review their public policy positions for the 116th Congress.
In Florida, ALICE keeps our state’s economic engine humming. ALICE, an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – the key word is “employed” – gives a name to nearly 33 percent of our state’s population. These hard workers do not earn enough to support their own families and are regularly forced to make tough choices like deciding between quality childcare or paying the rent, which have long-term consequences not only for their families, but for all Florida’s residents.
What we’re advocating for
Housing Attainability
FOCUS resources on programs incentivizing the construction of affordable rental units.
SUPPORT legislation that would expand access to home ownership programs
Financial Stability
INVEST $1.8 million to enhance opportunity for free tax preparation statewide in all 67 counties.
ENHANCE SERVICES to underserved populations in the state’s hardest-to-reach areas.
INCREASE CAPACITY, while improving quality and accuracy.
Behavioral Healthcare Accessibility
INCREASE reimbursement rates significantly for behavioral healthcare across the board which would help address these issues and improve access to care for more families.
ENHANCE Florida’s behavioral health talent
Childcare Affordability
INCREASE initial eligibility of School Readiness to provide subsidies to make childcare affordable for low-income families.
CREATE incentives for private sector investment.
SUPPORT state investments to increase access to extended early learning programs.
