Advocacy: Raising Our Voice for a Stronger North Central Florida
At United Way North Central Florida, we know that real change doesn’t happen by chance — it happens when communities come together to advocate for policies that create opportunity for everyone. In addition to our direct programs and partnerships, we are proud to stand with United Way of Florida in support of the 2026 Consensus Legislative Agenda, a unified set of statewide priorities focused on improving education, financial stability, health, and overall quality of life for Florida families.
This agenda reflects what we hear every day from our neighbors, partners, and volunteers across Alachua, Bradford, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties: families are working hard, but many are still struggling to make ends meet. Through advocacy, we help ensure their voices are heard at the state level.
Our Commitment to Advocacy
United Way North Central Florida works alongside the other 27 local United Ways across the state to advance policies that:
- Remove barriers for working families
- Strengthen local economies
- Improve access to education and health services
- Support long-term community resilience
Our advocacy efforts are grounded in local data, lived experience, and the realities facing ALICE households — families who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. These are essential workers who often earn too much to qualify for assistance, yet not enough to afford basic necessities like housing, childcare, healthcare, and transportation.
Key Issues We're Advocating for in 2026
The United Way of Florida 2026 Consensus Legislative Agenda focuses on several critical policy areas that directly impact families in North Central Florida:
Education & Early Learning
We support policies that expand access to affordable, high-quality early learning and childcare, helping children build strong foundations while allowing parents to remain in the workforce. We also advocate for consistent statewide approaches to addressing chronic absenteeism, so students receive the support they need to succeed.
Financial Stability & Housing
We champion efforts to preserve and expand affordable housing options and strengthen financial tools like Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), which helps families receive the tax credits and refunds they’ve earned — often the largest financial boost they receive all year.
Behavioral Health & Community Well-Being
We advocate for expanded access to behavioral health services and specialized supports for veterans, recognizing that mental health, financial security, and community safety are deeply connected.
Together, these policy priorities help create communities where people don’t just survive — they can thrive.
Why This Matters for Our Community
Advocacy allows us to scale our local impact beyond individual programs. When smart policies align with real community needs, we can reduce financial stress, increase opportunity, and build a more resilient future for families across North Central Florida.
This work is especially important for ALICE households, who make up a significant portion of our region’s population and workforce. Their success is directly tied to the strength and sustainability of our entire community.
Learn More and Get Involved
We invite you to explore the full statewide agenda and learn how policy connects to the challenges — and possibilities — in our own backyard.