Leon County Board of County Commissioners
Children's Services Council of Leon County

As approved by a majority of the local electorate during the November 2020 General Election, the Children's Services Council of Leon County (CSC) was established to provide children with early learning and reading skills, development, treatment, preventative and other children's services.  The CSC is an independent special district that provides funding for these children's services throughout the County by annually levying ad valorem taxes, not exceeding the maximum millage rate of one-half (1/2) mill  The CSC has independent oversight and accountability as required by law.

The CSC is NOT a citizen committee or division of Leon County Government; however, the Leon County Board of County Commissioners is charged with the responsibility of recommending a minimum of three (3) candidates per seat, to the Governor to fill five (5) citizen seats on the CSC.  Those interested in seeking gubernatorial appointment to the CSC must complete the County's online application form.

The CSC has the following powers and functions:
  • To provide and maintain in the County such preventive, developmental, treatment and rehabilitative services for children as the council determines are needed for the general welfare of the County.
  • To provide such other services for all children as the Council determines are needed for the general welfare of the County.
  • To allocate and provide funds for other agencies in the County which are operated for the benefit of children, provided they are not under the exclusive jurisdiction of the public school system.
  • To collect information and statistical data and to conduct research, which will be helpful to the Council and the County in deciding the needs of children in the County.
  • To consult with other agencies dedicated to the welfare of children, to the end that the overlapping of services will be prevented.
  • To lease or buy such real estate, equipment, and personal property and to construct such buildings as are needed to execute the foregoing powers and functions, provided that no such purchases shall be made or building done unless paid for with cash on hand or secured by funds deposited in financial institutions. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the district to issue bonds of any nature, nor shall the district have the power to require the imposition of any bond by the Board of County Commissioners.
  • To employ, pay, and provide benefits for any part-time or full-time personnel needed to execute the foregoing powers and duties.
Section 125.901, Florida Statutes
Ordinance No. 18-13
Decision Making - Independent Special District
In accordance with Florida Statutes, the five (5) gubernatorial appointees to the CSC must meet the following criteria:
  • Have been residents of Leon County for the previous 24-month period.
  • To the extent possible, represent the demographic diversity of the population of Leon County.
  • File an annual Commission on Ethics Financial Disclosure Form 1.

Members must file a Financial Disclosure Form 1 from the Florida Commission on Ethics within 30 days of being appointed and annually by July 1 thereafter. In addition, when leaving the committee members must file a final Form 1F within 60 days of leaving their public position. The final Form 1F covers the disclosure period between January 1 and your last day of office within that year.

The CSC shall provide an annual written report to be presented no later than January 1 to the Board of County Commissioners, to include:
1.  Information on the effectiveness of activities, services, and programs offered by the Council, including cost-effectiveness.
2. A detailed anticipated budget for continuation of activities, services, and programs offered by the Council, and a list of all sources of requested funding, both public and private.
3. Procedures used for early identification of at-risk children who need additional or continued services and methods for ensuring that the additional or continued services are received.
4. A description of the degree to which the Council 's objectives and activities are consistent with the goals of the County Ordinance.
5. Detailed information on the various programs, services, and activities available to participants and the degree to which the programs, services, and activities have been successfully used by children.
6. Information on programs, services, and activities that should be eliminated; programs, services and activities that should be continued; and programs, services and activities that should be added to the basic format of the Council.

The CSC shall provide quarterly financial reports to be filed with the Board of County Commissioners which shall include the following:
1)  The total expenditures of the council for the quarter
2)  The total receipts of the council during the quarter
3)  A statement of the funds the council has on hand, has invested, or has deposited with qualified public depositories at the end of the quarter
4)  The total administrative cost of the council for the quarter
The Children's Services Council of Leon County consists of ten (10) members, including:
  • The Superintendent of Leon County Schools
  • A school board member (as appointed by the Leon County School Board)
  • The Department of Children and Families District Administrator, or his or her designee.
  • One County Commissioner as appointed by the Leon County Board of County Commissioners
  • A judge assigned to juvenile cases, as appointed by the Chief Judge.
  • Five (5) members appointed by the Governor.  The Board of County Commissioners shall submit to the Governor the names of at least three (3) persons for each vacancy occurring among the five (5) members appointed by the Governor, and the Governor shall appoint members to the Council from the candidates nominated by the Board of County Commissioners. The Governor shall make a selection within a 45-day period or request a new list of candidates.
4-Year(s) Expiring December 31
Maximum Number of Terms: Unlimited
The initial terms of the Governor's appointees were staggered.

Should a Governor appointed member resign, die or be removed from office, the vacancy will be filled by an appointment by the Governor using the same method as the original appointment.  The vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Typically meets on the third Thursday of the month at 4:00 p.m.   Committees meet as needed.
Cecka Rose Green, Executive Director
Children's Services Council
P.O. Box 1816
Tallahassee, FL 32302
(850) 764-2966
Jacinta Clay, Administrative Services Manager
(850) 764-2966




1 Johnson, Brent Curtis 05/31/2024 1 05/31/2024 12/31/2026 2 Year(s) County Resident Governor Ron DeSantis
2 Mitchell, Richard Paul 03/19/2021 1 03/19/2021 12/31/2024 4 Year(s) County Resident Governor Ron DeSantis
3 O'Bryant, George Mark 03/19/2021 1 03/19/2021 12/31/2024 4 Year(s) County Resident Governor Ron DeSantis
4 VACANT Governor Ron DeSantis - Governor
5 Marstiller, Simone 05/31/2024 1 05/31/2024 12/31/2026 2 Year(s) County Resident Governor Ron DeSantis
6 Cummings, Carolyn D. 12/08/2020 1 12/08/2020 12/31/2024 4 Year(s) County Commissioner Board of County Commissioners
7 Hanna, Rocky 12/08/2020 1 12/08/2020 11/19/2024 Unlimited Superintendent of Leon County Schools Leon County School Board
8 Jones, Darryl 06/16/2021 4 07/01/2024 06/30/2025 1 Year(s) School Board member Leon County School Board
9 Hobbs, Barbara 07/01/2024 1 07/18/2024 Unlimited A judge assigned to juvenile cases, as appointed by the Circuit Judge Leon County Circuit Judge
10 Watts, Terrence 08/19/2021 1 08/19/2021 Unlimited Dept. of Children & Families District Administrator, or designee Dept. of Children & Families District Administrator