Page 14 - Jupiter Spotlight - October '24

Page 14, Jupiter Spotlight
Commissioner’s Update

Advocacy And Civic halls to volunteering and joining community boards. Civic Scenic River. Protection of water quality and lands has been a
hallmark of our success as a county, much of which is a direct
engagement emphasizes collective action to address societal
Engagement In Government issues and fosters a shared responsibility between citizens result of various partnerships between the county and FDEP.
and their government. However, the plan amendment was directly detrimental to
By Vice Mayor Maria G. A recent example of effective advocacy and civic environmentally sensitive lands and water quality to the
Marino engagement occurred in Palm Beach County when the Florida Loxahatchee River. Along with my colleagues, I penned a
Advocacy and Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) unveiled its letter to the secretary of the FDEP, expressing our opposition
civic engagement are 2024/25 Great Outdoors Initiative. This initiative is aimed to to the proposal and requesting its withdrawal.
fundamental to a healthy increase public access, recreation and lodging at Florida state Advocacy empowers individuals to take action on issues
democracy. These practices parks. However, the proposal to amend the Unit Management they care about, fostering a sense of ownership over the
allow citizens to influence Plan of Jonathan Dickinson State Park (JDSP) to develop direction of government policy. As an elected official, I often
government policies, hold environmentally sensitive lands into a golf course sparked have the opportunity to hear from constituents daily through
officials accountable, wide concern. letter writing, phone calls, public comment on agenda items,
and actively shape the Local residents, outraged by the potential environmental and additionally once a month during Matters by the Public.
decisions that impact their damage, quickly mobilized. They reached out to elected When individuals realize that their voices can have an impact,
communities. When citizens officials at the local, state, and federal levels, voiced their they become more involved in the political process. Advocacy
and organizations engage, they can drive government concerns, and organized protests. In a matter of days, and civic engagement are crucial to the health of a democracy.
responsiveness, transparency, and effectiveness. thousands of residents had signed petitions and coordinated As demonstrated in Palm Beach County, when citizens
Advocacy refers to the efforts of individuals, groups, or protests. As a result, the outcry attracted attention from come together to advocate for change, they can profoundly
organizations to influence public policy and government officials across the state, including Florida Cabinet members, impact their government and community for the better. Thank
decisions. These efforts can take various forms, such as lobbying, U.S. Congress representatives, and state senators. These you for staying engaged and making your voices heard. If
public campaigns, and grassroots mobilization. It often involves leaders called for increased transparency and urged FDEP you’re interested in learning more about the Palm Beach
educating decision-makers and the public on specific issues, to withdraw the proposal. County boards and committees that citizens may participate
persuading them to adopt certain policies or actions. As Vice Mayor of Palm Beach County and a member of in, please visit https://secure.co.palm-beach.fl.us/ABC/
Civic engagement is a broader concept that encompasses the Loxahatchee River Management Coordinating Council, Pub_ABCReports.aspx. As always, please contact me if I can
any activity that allows citizens to be involved in public I was acutely aware of the proposed plan’s potential impact be of assistance at (561) 355-2201 or by email at MMarino@
life. This ranges from voting and participating in town on the Loxahatchee River, a designated National Wild and pbc.gov.
Statewide Leaders To Convene With Dr. Nadine

Burke Harris To Support The Well-Being Of Babies

Pioneer of ACEs/former Attorney General of California consciousness and dialogue. Our understanding of ACEs ACEs. Dr. Burke Harris served as California’s first Surgeon
to lead discussion to better shape the future of Florida’s today is due to her insights and work in revealing how early General, where she focused on addressing the root causes
youngest generation. adverse events affect lifelong health and well-being—for of health disparities and promoting early interventions for
What individuals, families, and communities. childhood trauma. Her influential book, The Deepest Well:
Center for Child Counseling in partnership with Florida When Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity
Association of Infant Mental Health are hosting “Celebrate Tuesday, October 22, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (in-person has brought widespread attention to the impact of early
Babies with Nadine Burke Harris, M.D.” on Tuesday, October registration begins at 12 p.m.) adversity on long-term health and well-being.
22, to help better shape the future of Florida’s youngest Where Celebrate Babies’ Donors And Corporate Partners
generation. With Kathy Leone as the honorary chair and The Breakers Palm Beach (by special invitation only) Donors and corporate sponsors who are making this
WPTV Channel 5’s Ashley Glass as the emcee, the hybrid 1 South County Road, Palm Beach, FL 33480 important conversation possible include: Children’s
event will take place at The Breakers by special invitation Online registration is $25 and open to the public: Services Council of Palm Beach County, The Children’s
only and online for the public from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/mcg5krt/ Movement of Florida, The Breakers Palm Beach, Stephens
Dr. Burke Harris is the former attorney general of lp/26e63720-0d0f-43f2-a9cf-cd1c2baa7d71 & Stevens Marital & Family Law, Valley Bank, Sunshine
California and an internationally renowned pediatrician, About Nadine Burke Harris, M.D. Health, and Jane Robinson.
public health advocate, and author. She is best known Nadine Burke Harris, M.D., MH, FAAP, is an CFCC’s Fighting ACEs initiative to build trauma-
for her pioneering work in the field of adverse childhood internationally renowned pediatrician, public health informed communities is made possible with the generous
experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. Joining the event advocate, and author—best known for her pioneering support of Quantum Foundation, Community Foundation
virtually, Dr. Burke Harris will lead statewide business and work in the field of ACEs and toxic stress. for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, and private donors.
system leaders in an interactive conversation that explores Dr. Burke Harris is the founder and former CEO of the
the profound impact of early adversity and trauma on Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco, an organization
childhood development. The event is taking place during dedicated to improving the health of children exposed to
Celebrate Babies Week—a week dedicated to celebrating
infants, toddlers, young children, their families, and early
childhood professionals across the globe.
Kathy Leone will host 175 by-special-invitation-only
attendees at The Breakers. Registration to attend virtually
is $25 and open to the public. For more information, visit
centerforchildcounseling.org/celebratebabies.
Why
Science clearly confirms what our experience already
knows—what happens early in life impacts everything.
For better or worse, we carry our early events with us
for the rest of our lives, and into our future families and
communities.
Society is grappling with big, complex issues: a
youth mental health crisis, crime and overflowing jails,
uncontrollable addiction, and generational cycles of abuse
and trauma left on repeat. These dilemmas are often the
result of unbuffered, untreated trauma experienced early
in life.
But there are solutions we’ve been building for more
than 20 years, so we have reason to celebrate! Our babies
can be better from birth—for the rest of their lives.
Dr. Burke Harris is the woman who thrust the subject
of adverse childhood experiences into our national