VIDEO: Senator Moody Hosts Back to School Expo for Florida Families Showcasing New Ways to Invest in Children’s Futures and Protect Kids from Online Threats

ORLANDO, Fla.-Senator Ashley Moody hosted the Florida Families First Back to School Resources Fair at Valencia College, bringing valuable resources directly to Florida families. The fair connected families with local, state, federal and community partners offering information and resources about children's health, education, finances, and safety. Senator Moody, as one of the few mothers to a school-aged child in the Senate, is delivering new ways to jumpstart the American Dream for Florida youth and protect kids against online threats.

"It's back-to-school time for millions of Florida families, and we want to make sure our children are happy, healthy, and safe. I hosted a Florida Families First Back to School Resources Fair today in Central Florida, bringing together local, state, and federal partners to provide parents valuable information about children's health, safety, and education-and highlight the important victories we secured to jumpstart the American dream for Florida youth," said Senator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

• To view Senator Moody's full remarks, click here.
• Joining Senator Moody at today's event include: Florida Representative Erika Booth, Kissimmee Police Chief Charles "Chuck" Broadway, Florida Department of Education Senior Chancellor Paul Burns, Valencia College President Dr. Kathleen Plinske, Chef Justin Timineri, Pastor Tim Grosshans and Jonathan Cajigas, from Step Up for Students.
• Senator Moody championed the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, signed into law last year. The package created child-owned investment accounts designed to give the next generation a real jumpstart on the American Dream. More than 5.5. million child-owned investment accounts have been opened nationwide so far, with 1.4 million eligible for the $1,000 pilot program contribution.
• For every baby born from 2025 through 2028 whose parents open one of these accounts, the U.S. Treasury will invest $1,000.
• If that initial investment is left untouched, it could grow to nearly $8,000 by the time the child turns 18.
• And if they leave it invested until retirement, it could potentially grow into hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on market returns.
• Parents can sign up today at IRS.gov/TrumpAccounts.
• Through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, Senator Moody also fought to double the enhanced Child Tax Credit. 40 million families have taken advantage of the expanded credit.
• The Working Families Tax Cuts Act also expanded school choice options nationwide - similar to what Florida has accomplished and to what Senator Ashley Moody supported while as Florida's Attorney General.
• The Working Families Tax Cuts Act includes a provision for a federal tax credit scholarship that could help as many as 2 million students access a school or educational service of their parents' choice.
• Senator Moody is a fierce fighter for school choice. Earlier this year, Senator Moody introduced the FLEX Act, which will cut red tape around Charter School Program grants to be used more effectively based on educational needs, not bureaucratic limitations.
• Senator Moody has also fought to strengthen Florida's education system through co-sponsoring the Educational Choice for Children Act to allow parents to choose the best school for their children.
• Another one of Senator Moody's efforts includes introducing the Home School Graduation Recognition Act to fight for home-schooled students to be officially recognized as graduates.
• Senator Moody is championing the Kids Online Safety Act, which is now headed to the Senate floor. The measure aims to guard youth from harm on the internet such as online predators, drug dealers, and addictive algorithms.

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