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By Jack Knocke, Common Sense Fernandina Beach, 10-2-25
Senator Yarborough and Representative Black,
Thank you for coming to hear from the citizens about legislative needs.
I shared with you a number of legislative issues in my prepared remarks in your binder. I would like the opportunity to talk further about each of them. We need bold Trump style actions.
One item on my list that I have spoken to both of you in the past is the Ripple Effects Mental Health Curriculum that has been in the Nassau County School system for 8 years selected by and supported by Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare. Both of you have expressed your support for Starting Point Funding and continued services. Why would you?
This Starting Point software is Social Emotional Learning (SEL) based. SEL tools have led to behavioral problems, identity questions, and even antifa extremism. (I’ll refer you to parentsonthelevel.org research and facts to validate.)
In August of 2023, I asked the school district for access to the Ripple Effects. The school district and Starting Point both blocked access with excuse after excuse – no excuse had any basis in Florida law. We had to take the school district and Starting Point to court. The judge confirmed multiple times that the records are public and should be shared. Today, still no access to the public records. Public record laws are not working.
Starting Point, by bringing this Curriculum into our school system and blocking access creates red flags. Starting Point, by presenting at the Fernandina Beach Pride festival in 2023 with a counselor who stated to a 16-year-old that the counselor has “lived experiences” and would not tell their parents about any sexual deviance matters discussed clearly broke Florida parental rights laws. Starting Point by blocking access to the software, by illegally not preserving public records and by demanding massive fees now for access does not deserve our taxes to fund their operations.
I have to ask, why do you think that it is so important for them to go to such great lengths to block our access to see this curriculum that has been in the school district for 8 years.
In our conversation, Mr. Black, you suggested that I call Starting Point and “work it out with your friend”. There is obviously no working out as they have blocked us even after the court ordered access. Senator Yarborough, you mentioned that since Starting Point claims they didn’t present at the Pride Festival after 2023 all’s good. Did you ask how many “lived experience” counselors are indoctrinating children and withholding from parents?
Your legislature has increased the Mental Health spending in Florida Schools from $9Mil in 2016 to $180Mil in 2024. This astounding increase in funding has gone to organizations like Starting Point here locally. Your Legislature proposed to give $400k to Starting Point next year. Our own Nassau County proposes to give $315k to Starting point next year. Don’t give them a dime!!!!
Stop their funding. They are dangerous and are putting our children in danger. Ripple Effects public records must be made public. Our legislature must represent the students and parents and stop protecting the institutions that are harming our children.
Public records laws must be strengthened and enforced. Mental Health should not be funded by our legislature turning our schools into mental hospitals run by third party NGOs.
Jack Knocke, a retired financial professional, is a Fernandina Beach resident and local activist, head of Common Sense Fernandina Beach and former Nassau Director of Citizens Defending Freedom.
