The Health of Florida's Children and Youth: Atlas of Key Status Indicators, Goals, and Objectives for Strategic Planning was developed as a tool for using data to make decisions and monitor our progress in improving child health in Florida. This new website on child health is an outgrowth of the Florida Department of Health's ongoing strategic planning process for child health. These tools were designed through a collaborative effort, combined wisdom and resources of many individuals, communities, and our state and national health research and policy partners.

Healthy People 2010, our nation's set of health indicators and objectives for persons of all ages, was used as a guide, but was adjusted to meet the unique and specific health care issues of children and their families in Florida. Three goals formed the vision for this work: (1) help all children reach their full potential, (2) reduce mortality and morbidity in children and youth, and (3) reduce disparities in child health outcomes. The reader will find objectives and data for 16 child health leading indicators with measurable objectives and 35 focus areas that cover the major concerns in child health. Also presented is the work of task forces formed to analyze core public health responsibilities or functions in child health. These groups developed guidance for the Department of Health in the areas of: (1) Access to Quality Health Care, (2) Children With Special Health Care Needs, (3) Data and Surveillance, and (4) Education, Public Awareness and Prevention.

Children are nearly one quarter of Florida's population. They are the future workers, inventors, teachers, doctors, mothers and fathers of tomorrow and will need the health, strength and wisdom to solve the problems of a future we cannot foresee. Because health status underlies a child's basic ability to learn, grow and succeed, our stewardship of this great responsibility is one of our most important jobs in life. I ask that each Florida citizen join us in our efforts to improve our children's health and to improve our child health systems. I thank the many public health stakeholders, experts and our partner agencies — the Florida Departments of Children and Families, Agency for Health Care Administration and Education for the collaborative expertise and ongoing commitment they continue to provide for this initiative.