Two Florida lawmakers are looking to open Florida to a private funding model for social services that Utah has used to expand its prekindergarten programs.
Rep. Chris Sprowls and Sen. Aaron Bean have filed legislation (HB 1049/SB 1200) to create the “pay for success” system that led to major investment banks putting millions toward Utah’s efforts to reduce special education needs for its youngest students. The outcomes-based program has received some criticism, but remains in play as several states look to replicate it. Read more from the NY Times.
At its core, the model removes government from paying for some social services that are identified as a “critical public problem with historically poor outcomes.” Private not-for-profit firms could bid to provide up-front capital that would pay for projects aimed at solving the problems.
