CMF Public Media » 05/06/10

Commentary

CMF Public Media — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:25:46 +0000

A feature of every Central Florida Matters is a 3-minute commentary presented by a voice that matters on an issue that voice believes matters.

The voice you’ll hear is that of Winter Springs, Florida resident Cade Resnick, a local mental health counselor commenting on community issues surrounding the rescue of Nadia Bloom. Feature length – 03:41

(Produced, reported and edited by Stephen McKenney Steck)

Central Florida Matters encourages you to post your own reaction to this commentary. Below, you will find useful links related to the commentary, including a transcript, biographical information and related pictures.

Should you wish to be considered for a commentary segment on Central Florida Matters, please click on the “contact” link to send us an email which should include adequate information for us to understand your issue. And please include a daytime telephone number where we may reach you.

Additional Feature Information

Merit Pay – The Teachers’ View

CMF Public Media — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:23:24 +0000

The merit pay proposal of the Florida Legislature, Senate Bill 6, drew heated opposition from Florida’s teachers. Gay Parker of the Seminole Education Association discusses the teachers’ position on this contentious issue in a One-on-One interview. From tenure to seniority to FCAT, Ms Parker explains the key points of disagreement with the bill that was passed by the legislature but vetoed by the governor. Feature length – 14:58

(Produced, reported and edited by Desta Horner)

Merit pay is a contentious and complicated issue that received increased attention in Florida with the passage by the legislature of Senate Bill 6. This proposal would have given salary bonuses to teachers whose students showed measurable learning gains on FCAT or end of year subject tests.

The teachers of Florida, led by their union organization The Florida Education Association, strongly opposed the plan. They launched a successful campaign to have Governor Crist veto the bill.

The local branch of the teachers’ organization is the Seminole Education Association. For the past 3 years Gay Parker has been president of the SEA. She has also been a teacher in Seminole County for 35 years. Her experience and official position makes her a knowledgeable voice for the teachers’ point of view on the topic of merit pay.

The pressure for teacher accountability is growing and will be a key requirement of the Reach to the Top federal grant monies. The issue of merit pay will be at the top of the education agenda for the next few years. Gay Parker sees teachers taking an active role in politics in the upcoming elections to make sure their interests defended in the upcoming decisions.

Extended Interview & Pictures

Click on the picture(s) to enlarge.

Gay Parker and Desta Horner

president, Seminole Education Association, extended interview
Extended interview (20:09)

Additional Feature Information

On Being…Homeless in Seminole County: The Problem & the Players, part-1

CMF Public Media — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:22:49 +0000

In part-1 of a new feature titled “On Being…Homeless in Seminole County,” we talk with Cathy Jackson, executive director of the Homeless Services Network (HSN) of Central Florida. In a wide-ranging interview she defines the homeless problem in Seminole County and identifies other institutional players at work addressing the dilemma of homelessness. Feature length – 23:49

(Produced, reported and edited by Stephen McKenney Steck)

HSN is a major player in Central Florida helping to coordinate, manage, measure and partially fund a multitude of small and big service agencies in Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties which daily grapple with aiding the homeless.

In Part-2 of the series (tentatively set to post on 5/27/10) we will feature voices from our homeless population and hear their stories. And in part-3 (to post on 6/17/10) we’ll learn about possible solutions to better serve our homeless.

In 2009, close to 2000 individuals in Seminole County experienced homelessness and, according to Jackson, on any given night in the county, there are 700 homeless people sleeping in more than 70 camps or in cars or vans, behind trash dumpsters, or doubled-up with other families in apartments. Shelter beds and transitional housing beds accommodate the remainder. Jackson notes the economy and the war abroad account for a local increase in homeless numbers for families and veterans. In Seminole County public schools 1,140 students were considered homeless as of April 2010. This is an increase from 600 just 2-years ago.

Jackson says that 30% of the homeless in Seminole have been such for more than 1 year; 25% from 3-months to a year. Fifty-three percent of the homeless are white. Thirty-five percent are African-American and 20% are military veterans. Thirty percent have a post-secondary education level.

Hear more of the problem in this interview with Cathy Jackson in part-one: The Problem and the Players.

Extended Interview & Pictures

Click on the picture(s) to enlarge.

	Cathy Jackson and Stephen McKenney Steck executive director, Homeless Services Network of Central Florida Extended interview (1:14:37)

Additional Feature Information

Additional web links presented in the order addressed in the feature interview with Cathy Jackson:

Links to features produced by CMF Public Media addressing issues related to homelessness

Homeless Students in Seminole County Florida
Coping with the Economy In Seminole County: Health Clinic
Coping with the Economy in Seminole County: Food Pantry
Youth Substance Abuse in Seminole County, Florida
Commentary: Bakari F. Burns, Chief Executive Officer, Health Care Center for the Homeless commenting on the steps necessary to achieve quality and affordable health care services for the homeless.
Commentary: Rachael Todd, Miss Florida 2009 and a resident of Oviedo, Florida, commenting on why ending homelessness matters.

Other useful links

Heavenly Hoofs: Riding for the Disabled

CMF Public Media — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:21:08 +0000

Heavenly Hoofs was established to provide children with disabilities and life-threatening illnesses an opportunity to ride horses. Horseback riding is a form of physical and spiritual therapy for youngsters with special needs. Located at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, FL., Heavenly Hoofs was founded by Thomasa Sanchez and is supported by volunteers, local companies and county government. Listen to the children from the Village Academy of Oviedo as they enjoy their day on the gentle horses of Heavenly Hoofs and meet the instructors and volunteers who work to share “the spirit of the horse” with kids in need. Feature length – 17:36

(Produced, reported and edited by Desta Horner)

The mission of Heavenly Hoofs is to provide equine assisted activities to enhance the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of individuals with life-threatening illnesses and disabilities.

Heavenly Hoofs was founded in 2002 by Thomasa Sanchez. She was born in Osceola County and grew up as a horsewoman true to that regional tradition. Heavenly Hoofs is a blend of those who, like Thomasa, love horses and also want to serve the community. Hundreds of volunteers donate their time to help give disabled and special needs children a chance to enjoy horseback riding and benefit from the therapy it provides. It is a non-profit organization supported by fundraisers and donations from the community.

The organization currently has 12 specially trained horses selected for their calm and gentle demeanor and instructors who are certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). This maximizes the benefit and enjoyment of the rides while protecting the safety of the riders. Since its beginning, Heavenly Hoofs has safely served more than 25,000 children.

The horses are stabled and lessons are held on the grounds of Osceola Heritage Park. The county allows Heavenly Hoofs to use the stalls and corrals of the Silver Spurs Rodeo free of charge during the 50 weeks a year the rodeo is not in operation.

The individual and group riding/therapy sessions are one of the programs of Heavenly Hoofs. The other is The Pony Express designed to make “house calls” on children with serious illnesses or disabilities who cannot come to the arena. Miniature horses go to visit children at home and at Arnold Palmer hospital bringing a unique moment of joy in a medical setting.

The riding lesson during our visit was for children from Village Academy of Oviedo. The Village Academy is a bilingual exceptional education program for children with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorders, Speech Language Disorders and their families. It provides speech, physical and occupational therapies for special needs children. Each Friday they drive from Oviedo to Kissimmee to enjoy the benefits of hippotherapy.

Extended Interview & Pictures

Click on the picture(s) to enlarge.

Thomasa Sanchez and Desta Horner Extended interview (11:11)		Dena Hoy and Desta Horner Extended interview (10:47)
Caity Wall and Desta Horner Extended interview (08:13)

Additional Feature Information

Central Florida Matters #13

CMF Public Media — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:20:27 +0000

Understanding the problem and the players on the homeless front in Seminole County, Florida. Hearing Seminole teachers’ point of view on the recent Merit pay proposal. Visiting Heavenly Hoofs in Kissimmee, Florida where special needs children from Oviedo experience the therapeutic adventure of horseback riding. And commentary from Winter Springs resident and mental health counselor, Cade Resnick, on the health of the community – 30 days after Nadia Bloom’s rescue. These are the issues and voices featured in a traditional radio-style format in this complete version of Central Florida Matters, posted on line 5/6/2010. Program length – 01:06:42

(Produced, reported and edited by Stephen McKenney Steck and Desta Horner)