Wednesday, December 18, 2002

A story published today by the Palm Beach Post reports that Florida Governor Jeb Bush and his close advisers have started crafting a "family formation" program designed to encourage and strengthen marriage among welfare families in the hope that legions of the 48,000 children now in state custody can one day return to live in safe and stable homes.

The details of the program are still being debated by Bush and his policy advisers, but the concept is expected to be patterned after the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative once run by Jerry Regier, now secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families.

For the past few months, Bush has talked about how he would make strengthening families one of the top goals of his second term when he is inaugurated in January. But he has been vague about what that would mean. Bush said it will involve "looking at our divorce rate, which is over 60 percent," harnessing the help of faith-based organizations and using his leadership to "change the culture."

It's very important how people are educated about what this exactly is and what it isn't," Regier said. "It's a matter of initially really focusing on children and statistics that say that children not supported by a stable relationship tend to have a more difficult time educationally, as well as many of the other negative criteria."

"I really commend the governor, because this is a step that probably some people might be reluctant to take," said Rep. Sandra Murman, R-Tampa, who chairs a House budget subcommittee that oversees the family-related programs.

"But with the diversity of our state and the problems that we face, it's really the right thing to do. We can't continue to dance around these issues."

Murman believes many politicians avoid talking about the disintegration of the family because they "don't want to get into the moralistic argument of when is it right for government to get involved in families' lives."

But, she added, "We are definitely intervening in way too many families' lives now. If children are being abused, we have a responsibility to intervene. But what can we do to prevent that from happening in the first place?"

Regier, who came under fire when Bush appointed him to the DCF post for signing an essay that said children can be spanked to the point off temporary bruises and that women should stay home and submit to their husbands, was one of the founders of the conservative Washington D.C.-based Family Research Council. The council is now headed by Ken Connor, the former Tallahassee lawyer and one-time Republican candidate for governor.

Murman believes, however, that strengthening marriage is only part of the equation. The focus should also be on preventing teenage pregnancies and educating high school students about life skills and relationships. She expects lawmakers to steer money into "family empowerment programs" that provide outreach and direction to people in need.

Children's advocate Jack Levine warns policy makers that they must also give families the financial help they need to get out of the economic stress that causes many of their problems.

"Volunteerism and good intentions can only go so far," Levine said. "If you do not have the security of a safe place to live, a doctor to go to while you're sick or quality child care while you're working, I don't think any billboard or bumper stickers will solve your problem."

Regier says he agrees and believes that focusing on building families is but "one part of the package."

Bush's advisers say he will announce the details of his "family formation" plans early next month, perhaps during his Jan. 7 inauguration address.