JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mayor Lenny Curry called Wednesday for major changes to taxpayer-funded children's programs in Jacksonville.
Joined by Sheriff Mike Williams and several City Council members at Sallye Mathis Elementary School, Curry said he will introduce legislation to merge the Children's Commission and Jacksonville Journey into one group with more accountability.
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The new organization, the Kids Hope Alliance, will take the best of both programs, and the $36 million allocated, to find the best way to help children and keep them safe.
"Something is very simple for me: There's got to be a time when we stop seeing kids shooting kids," Curry said. "I am sick to my stomach seeing that happening in the city. One is too many and it happens more than once."
Curry’s administration and City Council recently shifted over $1 million to fund nine additional high-quality afterschool sites to a total of 58 for the 2017-18 school year serving an additional 740 children.
Curry wants to be able to follow children who have gone through programs to monitor their progress. He said that's not happening with the Children's Commission or Jacksonville Journey.
The 13 City Council members attending Wednesday have agreed to the changes. The current director of the Jacksonville Journey also attended and is backing the plan. The head of the Children's Commission was not on hand.
Curry said when the measure becomes law -- probably within two months -- he will appoint the new seven-member board whose members will be approved by City Council. That board will select its director.
News4Jax is getting more reaction to the changes for reports through the day on News4Jax.