Celebrating Progress and Embracing Outcomes
A message from Cecka Rose Green, CSC Leon Executive Director
The Children’s Services Council of Leon County (CSC Leon) sits in the heart of Leon County as a beacon of hope for our community. Since inception, CSC Leon—led by a dedicated Council—continues to create pathways for children, youth and families to improve their lives and achieve their greatness. During the past three-and-a-half years, we have worked to establish a framework that builds on resources already available and be a conduit for creative approaches to address the needs of our county.
As detailed in our 2024 Annual Report, the numbers tell a story of robust community engagement: more than 5,400 participants served, nearly 58,000 meals provided, and millions invested in early learning, youth development, and family support programming. These outputs are commendable; they reflect an organization that is not only deeply committed to meeting immediate community needs, but also to laying the groundwork for long-term change.
The report also highlights the breadth and depth of CSC Leon’s work last fiscal year. From introducing the Family Resource Center model in underserved neighborhoods to funding programs that target school performance and youth mentoring, the investments made in 2024 are making a tangible difference in the lives of those served. Initiatives such as “Rebound & Recovery,” the “Summer Youth Internship Program,” and “Small Investments for Program Success (SIPS)” demonstrate our commitment to innovation and equity. These, in addition to the recently launched Perinatal Navigator Program, reflect our belief that every child and family in Leon County deserves access to high-quality opportunities, regardless of the zip code in which they live or their life circumstances.
While outputs (e.g., meals served, participants engaged) capture the scope of our reach, they constitute only part of the story. Building on the foundation of these initial successes, CSC Leon is poised to pivot toward what truly matters: measurable outcomes—are the children and families we serve made better due to our efforts? Are their lives being transformed and, if so, how?
Community-wide change requires significant investment and time. And…it takes strong partnerships. CSC Leon was established to enhance the ongoing efforts of other entities—our local school district, city and county governments, faith-based organizations and community providers. We endeavor to complement existing investments, expand access to essential services, and elevate program quality. As a community, we can no longer just focus on “how many” were served; rather, we must start accessing “how well” were they served and, further, “how much better” is their life and their future?
Our promise to the citizens of Leon County means we must approach accountability with intentionality by asking tough questions, rigorously tracking progress, and actively listening to the voices of those whom we serve. The fact of the matter is that success cannot be assumed—it must be measured. And, we must be open to not only partnering with larger, well-resourced service providers, but also embracing the impact smaller, grassroots organizations have in our neighborhoods. The expectation and, quite frankly, the requirement of our investments is that funded programs provide quality services that lead to meaningful and measurable improvements for children, youth and families.
Looking ahead, the Council invites the entire community to join us on this journey. On Tuesday, February 18, CSC Leon will co-host with Whole Child Leon the 10th Annual Summit on Children. The day will begin with a business breakfast, where staff will present the “CSC Leon Impact to Outcomes Report,” a critical step in our outcomes-focused evolution. The summit also will feature an afternoon “provider-to-provider” forum focused on fostering collaboration and reducing competition among service providers. The day will end with a family roundtable where parents and caregivers can share their perspectives to help shape the future of children’s services in our community.
As 2025 has begun, we celebrate our accomplishments thus far; more importantly, the dawning of this New Year marks setting a higher standard for what lies ahead. Together, we can ensure that every investment, every initiative, and every program achieves measurable outcomes, resulting in positive differences in the lives of Leon County’s children and families. This is how our community truly puts kids first!
Cecka Rose Green, CPM, is Executive Director of the Children’s Services Council of Leon County.
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