EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine February 2018 | Page 25

out of every 5 kids. Research shows that children growing up in
poverty are more likely to never finish high school, more likely
to have a disability, more likely to never improve their
economic circumstance, and more likely to stay in the cycle of
generational poverty.
Nearly 1 in 5 Florida high school students will not graduate
from high school this year. And in Volusia County, of the 4,760
kids in the cohort that could have graduated from high school
in 2017, 1,141 did not graduate with their peers. While some will
graduate, get GEDs, go on to higher education or get workforce
training – many are already behind their peers and many never
catch up.
There’s a reason these statistics matter to our state.
During a recent speech that I gave to Florida’s business
retain the Floridians we train. Better access to opportunities helps
create a labor force that allows Florida businesses to expand and
attracts more high-wage jobs to our state.
But, according to our recent Less Poverty, Through More
Prosperity report, Florida is home to nearly 870,000 kids under
age 18 who live in poverty. Most recent data shows that in Volusia
County alone there are 18,188 kids living in poverty – that’s one
leaders, I told this story – if you could only give me two data
points to predict the future of any county in Florida I would pick
the high school graduation rate and the under-18 poverty rate.
The reason I chose those two data points is that improvements
in these two numbers will predict improvements in many other
numbers including, but not limited to, education levels, poverty
levels, disability numbers and future workforce readiness.
At Cobb Cole, we’ve built our firm and
our reputation by dedicated service and
our long-standing relationships with many
of Florida’s most respected companies and
individuals. Our attorneys practice in
many areas with a selfless dedication to
our clients’ needs and a deep commitment
to our entire community.
OFFICES IN DAYTONA BEACH & DELAND
Call 386.255.8171 or visit CobbCole.com
PEOPLE JUDGE US BY THE
COMPANIES WE KEEP.
For additional information or questions regarding this
message, please contact Matthew S. Welch, Partner.
FEBRUARY 2018 | 25 |