The Escambia Children’s Trust is moving closer to a partnership with Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves’ groundbreaking childcare initiative that could transform early childhood education in Pensacola. In a recent episode of “We Don’t Color On the Dog,” Executive Director Lindsey Cannon outlined the Trust’s ambitious plans to partner with the City of Pensacola using Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) dollars.
- After nearly a year of planning and data analysis, the Trust is preparing to submit a formal request for an exemption and draft an interlocal agreement with the city. “The statutes are, my statute says one thing, the CRA statute says another,” Cannon explained. “And the only way to really figure that out without going through a lawsuit or the legislature is just to work through an interlocal agreement.”
The Trust board meets to discuss the issue at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, in County Commission Chambers, 221 Palafox Place.
The Childcare Challenge
The numbers are stark: the Early Learning Coalition has 400 extra licensed childcare slots it cannot fill due to staffing shortages. “When you look at what people are licensed for, they can take more children. It is literally having dedicated staff to be there every day and to do the work,” Cannon noted.
Why this matters: Money sits in the bank while families struggle to find affordable, quality childcare so parents can work.
- “They’re not babysitters,” Cannon emphasized, discussing the need to professionalize childcare workers. “They feel that way sometimes… not someone that’s your partner and helping to raise your children.”
The initiative aims to invest in these crucial workers, providing better compensation and recognition for their vital role in child development.
At the mayor’s recent childcare summit, local leaders heard about Miami’s remarkable transformation. Why do Miami’s graduation rates exceed Pensacola’s?
- “They said, it’s our zero to five,” Cannon recalled. “What you will see 10 years down the line, as Miami has seen, is all of a sudden an increase in graduation rates.”
Miami’s focus on early childhood education created measurable improvements in graduation rates years later, providing a roadmap for Pensacola’s own efforts.
Looking Ahead
The timing aligns well with similar discussions between the Trust and Escambia County regarding youth programs for older children. If both agreements move forward simultaneously, it could create a comprehensive support system for families throughout the community—addressing childcare needs for working parents while also providing opportunities for teenagers.
Bottom line: As one of only 54 children’s trusts nationwide, the Escambia Children’s Trust has a unique opportunity to address local needs with dedicated funding for city and county initiatives.
“We have a very specific pot of money that fits our specific needs here for our kids and our families,” Cannon emphasized, highlighting the advantage of local control over federal or state mandates. Her enthusiasm is balanced with realism—this is a long-term investment that requires sustained commitment.
- The Trust’s board meeting will determine next steps, but the momentum is building toward a pilot program that could serve as a model for other communities facing similar challenges. For Pensacola’s working families, this initiative represents hope for finally bridging the gap between childcare needs and available resources.
Background
The sense of urgency on the MOU is the City of Pensacola formally demanded $2,448,905 from the Escambia Children’s Trust on June 13, claiming tax increment financing (TIF) revenues from Community Redevelopment Areas belong to the city, not the Trust.
Mayor D.C. Reeves clarified this represents legal positioning rather than an attack at his presser the following week, stating: “We are just taking the logistical step to say, ‘Hey, from a legal standpoint, we do believe that this is where we stand legally.'”
Children’s Trust Executive Director Lindsey Cannon took a measured approach, framing the demand as part of expected collaboration. The Trust had earmarked approximately $560,000 based on earlier discussions, but the actual demand significantly exceeded expectations.
“If you’re going to request TIF funds, you’ve got to send a formal letter and then we have the ability to just pay it, or we have the ability per law to ask for an exemption and a waiver and an interlocal agreement,” Cannon explained.
Both leaders emphasized shared commitment to addressing childcare needs, particularly for zero-to-five populations. The Trust will address the demand at next week’s board meeting, likely requesting an exemption and pursuing an interlocal agreement—mirroring their approach with Escambia County’s similar situation.
Featured Photo Licensed under the Unsplash+ License