2013 Annual Report Florida Department of Children and Families INSIDE 3 SECRETARY’S MESSAGE

5 HOW WE SERVE YOU

6 NORTHWEST REGION ŰŰ Camps Help Foster Youth Dream, Believe, and Achieve ŰŰ Partnership Reduces Removal of Children from Domestic Violence Survivors ŰŰ Family Prosperity—A Partnership with Farm Share

8 NORTHEAST REGION ŰŰ Community Partnerships Help Children and Families Succeed ŰŰ Investing in Child Protective Investigators ŰŰ Prevention Programs Promote Child Safety and Strong Families

10 CENTRAL REGION ŰŰ Promtastic Initiative Promotes Normalcy ŰŰ Space Camp Offers a World of Possibility for Youth in Foster Care ŰŰ Helping Homeless Families, One Family at a Time

12 SUNCOAST REGION ŰŰ Community Partnerships Create New Homes for Children in Foster Care ŰŰ Leading the Way in Service Delivery ŰŰ Growing Futures Through Gardens

14 SOUTHEAST REGION ŰŰ Developing Leaders from Within ŰŰ Helping Victims of Human Trafficking ŰŰ Making Measurable Progress in Foster Home Recruitment

16 SOUTHERN REGION ŰŰ Helping Victims Heal ŰŰ Improving Youth Mental Health ŰŰ Share Your Heart: A Partnership of Faith

18 ACROSS FLORIDA ŰŰ Camps for Champions Inspire Foster Youth ŰŰ Improving Child Safety ŰŰ Partnership Reduces Child Abuse and Neglect ŰŰ DCF ACCESS Program Sees Major Accomplishments ŰŰ Preventing Theft of Public Benefits ŰŰ Substance Abuse and Mental Health—Improving Outcomes ŰŰ Implementing the Nancy C. Detert Common Sense and Compassion Independent Living Act ŰŰ Improvements to Child Care Oversight ŰŰ A Look at Domestic Violence ŰŰ Protecting Vulnerable Adults ŰŰ Refugee Services—A New Beginning

2 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 SECRETARY’S MESSAGE Esther Jacobo Interim Secretary Florida Department of Children and Families

“The secret of change is to focus This annual report highlights all of your energy, not on fighting the accomplishments of the the old, but on building the new.” Department and our many dedicated partners who have helped —Socrates us change lives and strengthen communities. Hundreds of new families became foster parents and welcomed children in foster care into their hearts and homes. Hundreds more adopted and provided children in our care with a forever family. Together with our partners, we have made extraordinary progress in changing the way we protect children at risk of abuse or neglect. We worked with state and local partners to ensure timely implementation of the Nancy C. Detert Common Sense and Compassion Independent Living Act, giving older foster teens the option to stay in foster care until age 21. Perhaps less visible, but equally vital, we worked daily behind the scenes to ensure struggling Floridians got the food, medical and cash assistance they needed to get back on their feet. We also led the nation in deploying cutting-edge technology designed to protect against identity theft and fraud in the world of public assistance. It’s these and so many other stories that make me proud and humbled to lead Florida’s Department of Children and Families. We couldn’t do the work we do without our incredibly dedicated employees and our committed partners. I invite you to read through these pages and learn more about the many accomplishments we’ve achieved over the past year. As we look back at our accomplishments, we should remember that a car has a small rearview mirror because that is not where we should be looking. We will keep our eyes on the road ahead, as we work together with commitment, determination and teamwork. Sincerely,

Esther Jacobo Interim Secretary

WWW.MYFLFAMILIES.COM 3 Bonifay Crestview Marianna Milton Chipley DeFuniak Springs Chattahoochee Yulee Niceville 10 Quincy 75 Pensacola Tallahassee Jacksonville Navarre Fort Walton Beach Madison 10 Macclenny Live Oak Panama City Crawfordville Lake City Orange Park Starke St Augustine

Gainesville Palatka

Chiefland 75 Bunnell

Ocala Daytona Beach

Deland

Tavares Inverness Sanford Wildwood Altamonte Springs Brooksville Orlando Cocoa

Kissimmee Rockledge Indicates a DCF location in your community New Port Richey Lakeland Tampa Lake Wales Palm Bay Largo Bartow St. Petersburg Vero Beach

Sebring Bradenton Wauchula Fort Pierce Sarasota Okeechobee Arcadia Stuart Venice 95 Port Charlotte

Riviera Beach Belle Glade Fort Myers Labelle West Palm Beach

Immokalee

Sunrise Naples Fort. Lauderdale

Opa-locka Hialeah Miami Beach Miami

Florida City FLORIDA

Total Population 19,552,860* Marathon

Key West Age 0-17 20.7% Age 18-64 61.1% Age 65+ 18.2% Below Poverty Level 17% Unemployment Rate Dec. 2013 6.2%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Economic Opportunity, 2012-2013 * U.S. Census Bureau, 2013 Estimate

4 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 HOW WE SERVE YOU Adoptions 3,356 Adult Protective Services Investigations 43,517 Background Screenings 178,867 Benefit Integrity Investigations 38,930 Child Abuse Hotline Investigations 187,997 Child Care Facility Inspections 30,518 Child Welfare (Children Served) 87,354 Children and Youth in Foster Care 17,758 Domestic Violence Victims 48,630 Food Assistance Clients 4,879,324 Homeless Clients in Shelters 47,862 Human Trafficking Victims 170 Independent Living for Former 4,638 Foster Youth

Medicaid Clients 3,744,588 Mental Health Clients 316,725 Refugee Services Clients 71,214 Substance Abuse Clients 190,769 Temporary Cash Assistance Clients 209,142

Source: Department of Children and Families, FY2012-2013

WWW.MYFLFAMILIES.COM 5 ŰŰ Bay ŰŰ Calhoun ŰŰ Escambia ŰŰ Franklin ŰŰ Gadsden ŰŰ Gulf ŰŰ Holmes ŰŰ Jackson ŰŰ Jefferson ŰŰ Leon ŰŰ Liberty ŰŰ Okaloosa ŰŰ Santa Rosa ŰŰ Wakulla ŰŰ Walton ŰŰ Washington

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NORTHWEST change that by creating University; and along the way, lots a program called of fun! The camp sparked interest Camps for Champions. throughout the region resulting REGION In communities in four more camps in 2013. across Florida, DCF partnered with its Another great camp happened CAMPS HELP FOSTER YOUTH Community Based Care lead agencies through a partnership with DREAM, BELIEVE, AND individuals, local businesses, non- FamiliesFirst Network, the Pensacola ACHIEVE Museum of Art and the University of profits and faith organizations to West Florida. The camp introduced For many children in foster care, the create fun, educational and inspiring youth in foster care to various idea of going away to camp is more of camp experiences for more than art mediums, encouraged team a dream than a reality. DCF sought to 1,000 children in foster care. building, promoted an individual In the Northwest Region, sense of pride, and helped campers former FSU All American find an outlet to express feelings and NFL football standout and emotions in a positive manner. Corey Simon partnered with The Pensacola Museum of Art DCF and Charles McDonald, displayed the campers’ artwork Executive Director at the during Pensacola Gallery Night. Children’s Home Society, 2013 marked the inaugural, two- to create Corey’s Kids day Champs Camp at Chipola Camp. During the camp, College hosted in partnership children had opportunities with DCF and Anchorage for team building, Children’s Home—a Big Bend leadership development, Community Based Care provider. and exposure to college Children experienced a college campus life at Florida State environment while participating

Camps for Champions provides unique CampsForChampions.com learning opportunities for foster children. i 6 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 in fun and educational arts, athletics and academic As part of their CPI training initiative, Mandel & activities. Campers gained exposure to post secondary Associates collaborated with the Florida Coalition Against education opportunities and developed connections Domestic Violence (FCADV) and DCF to support sites to mentors in their local community. The Chipola where domestic violence advocates and child protective Champs Camp is offered as one of more than two staff were co-located. The project sites, located within dozen Camps for Champions across the state. Bay and Gulf counties, saw strong results. In the first six months of 2012, domestic-violence-related removals PARTNERSHIP REDUCES REMOVAL OF represented 20.6 percent of removals in these counties. CHILDREN FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE After Safe and Together™ trainings and co-located team SURVIVORS efforts during the first six months of 2013, removals Recognizing that domestic violence is a leading cause decreased to 9.1percent. The Region continues to of child abuse in Florida, the Northwest Region placed partner with the FCADV and David Mandel & Associates an emphasis on comprehensive training for its child to provide annual training and technical assistance. protective investigators (CPIs), as well as collaboration with local providers of domestic violence services. FAMILY PROSPERITY—A PARTNERSHIP WITH FARM SHARE The region partnered with national domestic violence To address the need for assistance in several Northwest expert David Mandel & Associates to provide CPIs Florida counties, the region worked closely with local and advocates with training, technical assistance, and organizations to coordinate and provide emergency coaching in the Safe and Together™ model. CPIs services such as food, clothing, housing and utility trained under the Safe and Together™ model can serve assistance. One such partnership was with Farm Share, a as subject matter experts and provide consultations corporation that specializes in distributing donated fresh and assistance on domestic violence cases. fruits and vegetables from Florida’s farmers to low-income families. During 2013, eight Farm Share events distributed 300,000 pounds of food to more than 7,000 families.

www.safe-and-together.endingviolence.com/blog/?cat=26 Governor Scott attends a Farm Share event i distributing food to hundreds of families. WWW.MYFLFAMILIES.COM 7 ŰŰ Alachua ŰŰ Baker ŰŰ Bradford ŰŰ Clay ŰŰ Columbia ŰŰ Dixie ŰŰ Duval ŰŰ Flagler ŰŰ Gilchrist ŰŰ Hamilton ŰŰ Lafayette ŰŰ Levy ŰŰ Madison ŰŰ Nassau ŰŰ Putnam ŰŰ St. Johns ŰŰ Suwannee ŰŰ Taylor ŰŰ Union ŰŰ Volusia Stories from

NORTHEAST neighborhoods, including family poverty, infant deaths, unemployment, teen pregnancy and homicide. The region has established a good foundation and will continue to REGION build on the success of this initiative and our partnerships. Elsewhere in the region, Volusia County was one of only COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS HELP six communities in the United States to receive a federal CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SUCCEED grant to help families. DCF reached out to the Chadwick Over the past year, the Center for Children & Northeast Region worked Families to launch a three- to establish several year project to educate major partnerships to “Communities are better poised to and train agencies on help improve the lives of support and strengthen families in how to best prevent child struggling children and abuse and neglect. The families. Working with their neighborhoods.” project also aims to reduce Casey Family Programs, one —Shawn Salamida, CEO of trauma and psychological of America’s most highly effects of abuse in respected foundations for Partnership for Strong Families families and children. children, DCF developed and organized a series of Community of Hope initiatives in neighborhoods across Jacksonville and Gainesville. The events brought together local leaders WHAT IS A COMMUNITY OF HOPE? to develop solutions to real-life problems afflicting local Casey Family Programs, through its Community of Hope initiative, seeks to partner with communities and invest in their desire to build hope for children. Communities of Hope are coalitions of government agencies, schools, local businesses, nonprofits, i Casey.org/Hope philanthropies and faith-based organizations. 8 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 HIGHLIGHTS OF PREVENTION PROGRAMS: • In the Daytona Beach area, Community Partnership for Children supervised a Family Transition Program. Led by Children’s Home Society, this program provided comprehensive in-home services to families at risk of losing their children due to abuse or neglect. After families went through the program, 97 percent of the children served had no later findings of abuse or neglect. • In a 13-county area including Gainesville and Lake City, Partnership for Strong Families has increased the amount of services that it provides to families by 43 percent over the past four years. • In the Jacksonville area, Family Support Services of North Florida employs Community Resource Specialists who work on-site in schools and community centers. • In St. Johns County, the Family Integrity Program sponsored several events to help families and children, including a Toys for Tots Holiday Gift Distribution in conjunction with the Marine Corps Reserve. The initiative helped 750 children. • In Clay County, Kids First of Florida helps operate a Neighborhood Resource Center, which provided 700 families with information on community resources.

INVESTING IN decline in turnover, and Not one to sit on the sidelines, CHILD PROTECTIVE improved communication Regional Managing Director INVESTIGATORS among leadership, David Abramowitz personally Recognizing that stability supervisors and employees. went out on more than 80 child among its frontline The process for selecting protective investigations to learn investigative staff was and training new supervisors first-hand about the challenges critical to ensuring child was improved. Training was investigators face. He routinely safety, the Northeast upgraded for new CPIs to calls a handful of employees each Region began placing more better prepare them for weekday to find out if there are emphasis on their jobs and any concerns on the front lines. recruiting and responsibilities. As a result, turnover among CPIs in training quality The region also the region has declined to 6 percent. Child Protective focused on creating Investigators. As a result, more manageable PREVENTION PROGRAMS the region saw a significant workloads for investigators. PROMOTE CHILD SAFETY AND STRONG FAMILIES DCF’s community based care partners in the Northeast Region provided prevention services to 16,077 families and 15,211 children during fiscal year 2012-13. Services ranged from therapy, counseling, parenting and anger management classes to substance abuse treatment for parents. Services like these are essential to help stabilize at- risk families and prevent future abuse and neglect, keeping children safely in their own homes and out of foster care.

The Community of Hope initiative brings community leaders together to resolve real-life problems.

WWW.MYFLFAMILIES.COM 9 ŰŰ Brevard ŰŰ Citrus ŰŰ Hardee ŰŰ Hernando ŰŰ Highlands ŰŰ Lake ŰŰ Marion ŰŰ Orange ŰŰ Osceola ŰŰ Polk ŰŰ Seminole ŰŰ Sumter

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CENTRAL proms in style. Donated items were also provided to disadvantaged community youth not in foster care and foster care group homes. Non-formal wear donations REGION were given to Lake County Adult Protective Services, Workforce Central Florida, and the Haven, a Lake County domestic violence shelter. Attorneys Loftus and McDuffie PROMTASTIC INITIATIVE PROMOTES plan to continue the formal wear drive as an annual NORMALCY event to promote normalcy for teens in foster care. Often referred to as “normalcy,” the Department and its Community Based Care partners strive to give every child in foster care the opportunity to participate in the same kinds of age-appropriate activities that all children do. For teens, that activity could be attending their high school prom. In the Central Region, DCF Children’s Legal Services Senior Attorneys Kathleen Loftus and Stacy McDuffie launched a formal wear clothing drive to collect gently used prom wear and accessories for teens in foster care. The two attorneys were determined to make prom especially “Promtastic” for these teens. They worked with the local community, businesses, high schools and individual donors to collect formal wear and accessories. The highly successful “Promtastic” formal wear drive collected more than 500 donated items and ensured 75 teenage girls and boys in foster care went to their

Hundreds of dresses and other formal wear were donated for Promtastic.

10 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 SPACE CAMP OFFERS A WORLD OF POSSIBILITY FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE Imagine sitting at the controls of the space shuttle, feeling the g-force of spaceflight or preparing for launch at Kennedy Space Center. Thanks to the generosity and support of AT&T, 20 youth in foster care got to experience what it’s like to train for spaceflight as part of the Kennedy Space Center’s Astronaut Training Experience (ATX). Other partners who helped make the AT&T helped send 20 foster youth to camp at day possible included the Kennedy Kennedy Space Center. Space Center Visitor Complex, KSC Educational Foundation and Community Based Care agencies. With a focus on STEM (science, HELPING HOMELESS To get help to these families, the technology, engineering and math), FAMILIES, ONE FAMILY AT A Central Region partnered with the ATX program gave participants TIME Second Harvest Food Bank and first-hand experience in a motion- In the tri-county area of Central Workforce Central Florida to create based simulator, as well as activities Florida (Orange, Osceola, and a mobile “Outreach Team” that can that teach the science of rocket Seminole counties), many families go to motels and public events launches and human survival in space. are homeless, while others are on offering employment, ACCESS As a special treat, participants heard the verge of becoming homeless. services, and other public assistance. from veteran NASA astronaut Jon Thousands more families are Workforce Central Florida deployed McBride and toured the Astronaut living day-to-day in motel rooms their mobile “One Stop” bus Hall of Fame Museum, including because they can’t afford rental equipped with satellite internet highlights from the Mercury, Gemini, housing or apartments. These services and a bay of 10 computers. Apollo, and Shuttle programs. families are isolated, in crisis and They also assisted parents with face challenges when it comes skills assessment, job searches, and to seeking public assistance. resume writing. Second Harvest sent their Food Stamp Outreach Team who helped families apply online for public assistance, check on the status of a current application or review, complete an intake interview for Food Stamps, and ask questions about their current benefits or pending application. A third partner, United Way, supplied children with back-to-school items, and informed parents about jobs, financial education and more. Together with DCF, the Outreach Team has worked with more than 1,500 families since the program’s inception in February 2012, and has touched the lives of nearly 3,000 family members. We also reached 460 families that were homeless or living in transitional housing. Lake and Brevard counties were added to the list of counties being served as well.

WWW.MYFLFAMILIES.COM 11 ŰŰ Charlotte ŰŰ Collier ŰŰ DeSoto ŰŰ Glades ŰŰ Hendry ŰŰ Hillsborough ŰŰ Lee ŰŰ Manatee ŰŰ Pasco ŰŰ Pinellas ŰŰ Sarasota

Stories from SUNCOAST much needed additional capacity, but also allowed improved matching of children in need with foster REGION families best suited to nurture and support them. This was accomplished through a collaboration of DCF leadership, Community Based Care lead COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS CREATE NEW agencies and case management organizations HOMES FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE aggressively pursuing every opportunity to get During the past year, the SunCoast Region led the the word out about the new foster homes. state in recruiting new foster homes, exceeding the Recruitment opportunities were created at community recruitment goal by 89, and ending the year with meetings, public forums, sports events, fairs, and 448 new homes. This brought an additional 721 beds any place that community leaders or local families across 11 counties and, through the year, placed 941 gathered. The region’s success in recruiting new children in newly recruited homes. Eckerd Community homes is a testament to the power of community Alternatives led the state in recruitment, accounting collaboration in support of a worthy cause—meeting­ for 23 percent of the total new homes statewide. the physical and emotional needs of children who The 448 new homes in the region not only provided have suffered abuse or neglect in their home.

New Homes for Children in Foster Care

Bed Capacity of New Children Placed in Community Based Care Lead Agency New Foster Homes Foster Homes New Foster Homes Eckerd Community Alternatives—Hillsborough 149 226 311 Eckerd Community Alternatives—Pasco/Pinellas 147 245 323 Sarasota Family YMCA, Inc. 50 68 90 Children’s Network of SW Florida, Inc. 102 182 217

12 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 GROWING FUTURES THROUGH GARDENS In East Tampa, a new kind of garden is blossoming. Tampa Bay Gardens is a true community collaboration aimed at helping refugees in the Tampa area. The project was launched by two local churches with the support of Janet Blair, DCF Refugee Services Liaison in the SunCoast Region, the University of South Florida, and numerous community volunteers, and refugees. This unique garden is the first of its kind in Florida and not only grows fresh organic produce, but also provides acculturation skills and serves as a community hub for newly arrived refugees. The seed for the garden was planted at a local Tampa Bay Refugee Task Force meeting three years Regional Managing Director Mike Carroll led the charge to ago and began to take root when standardize ACCESS services. Father Berhanu Bekele, a former refugee from Ethiopia, donated an acre of land owned by St. Mary’s LEADING THE WAY IN monitor workload and shift resources Ethiopian Orthodox Church. SERVICE DELIVERY when necessary. The result of these Initial funding was provided by DCF launched a statewide initiative and other process improvements Alleghany Franciscan Ministries and to standardize ACCESS processes, included a 17 percent reduction the DCF Santa Cause initiative. and improve customer service and in days to process a case between In October 2013, Tampa Bay Gardens outcomes. The SunCoast Region took October 2012 and June 2013, and was awarded $254,500 for a three- up the challenge to lead the effort. a decrease in backlog from a high year grant by the Federal Office of Under the leadership of Regional of nearly 7 percent in late 2012 to Refugee Resettlement. The Garden Managing Director Mike Carroll, now, less than 1 percent. Volume has enrolled 35 refugees in a farming teams were formed, staff rolled up to the call centers has decreased, project that includes vocational their sleeves and started working. and more callers are able to either English classes and training in Through a series of statewide self-serve through the Automated agricultural business. A fish pond and meetings, process improvements Response Unit or reach a call agent chicken coop will also be expanded. began to take shape and the to assist with resolving their issues. benefits to both our customers and employees were realized. In addition to accomplishing improvements in key processes important to our Tampa Bay Gardens serves as a community customers, the teams were able hub for newly arrived refugees. to reduce performance variance among regions while ensuring that the most effective systems were used across the state. Among the improvements were the creation of Virtual Intake Units, which direct interview calls to a single phone number, immediately improving customer service. Standardized performance measurement tools and practices ensured that high performers were rewarded and those needing help received the assistance they required. Managers were given tools to more effectively

WWW.MYFLFAMILIES.COM 13 ŰŰ Broward ŰŰ Indian River ŰŰ Martin ŰŰ Palm Beach ŰŰ Okeechobee ŰŰ St. Lucie

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SOUTHEAST creating a positive and empowering culture. Each class receives instruction on quality improvement tools and techniques, with a goal to complete a quality improvement REGION project that will better the Region’s outcomes. By 2015, the Southeast Region expects to graduate DEVELOPING LEADERS FROM WITHIN 80 participants representing circuits 15, 17 and In 2013, the Southeast Region began development of a 19. One of the goals of the Academy is to directly leadership program designed to identify and cultivate reach 40 employees each year, with those members future leaders as part of its succession planning strategy. having an indirect positive impact on an additional Dubbed the Leadership Academy, the program provides 400 employees a year through their newly acquired opportunities for the enhancement of leadership skills, which are brought back to their units. skills among staff in the Region’s six counties, with a focus on the art and science of being a good leader. HELPING VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING Response to the Academy, which was developed Because Florida is ranked third in the nation for by Regional Managing Director Dennis Miles, the human trafficking cases, the Southeast Region has regional planning manager and the human resources taken a collaborative approach to combat this business partner, has been widespread and positive. modern-day form of slavery and assist survivors. Participants attend three monthly sessions, three Empowered by Florida’s Safe Harbor Act, which was days each, enabling them to work together as a signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, the region created team. Included in the curriculum are 12 roundtable action groups in each circuit called STARS (Stop discussions and team project work days. Trafficking and Rescue Survivors) committees. STARS committees meet monthly to identify issues and Academy curriculum involves conversations and short develop strategies to address those issues. A variety presentations, along with mentoring opportunities of perspectives are brought to the table through the with the regional managing director and other senior committee’s diverse representation, which includes DCF leadership staff. Focus areas include topics such as an Regional staff Children’s Legal Services Case Management, overview of the Region’s budget, quality improvement, Department of Juvenile Justice, law enforcement, mental women in leadership, creating a good team, and health professionals and child welfare advocates.

14 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 The committees also focus on training designed and implemented by approval. The new curriculum for child protective investigators, ChildNet, the region’s Community reduces the number of foster parent law enforcement representatives Based Care lead agency for Broward pre-service training hours by 30 and foster parents, as well as raising and Palm Beach counties. percent without compromising community awareness. Historically, ChildNet uses this model to gauge the quality of instruction. human trafficking victims were not each provider’s performance and ChildNet monitors agency progress seen as victims of sexual exploitation. calculate each agency’s annual monthly and consults the DCF STARS is working to change that attrition rate, licensing, and potential regional staff if they fall below their perception, with the goal of identifying foster parents lost during training. targeted numbers. The model’s human trafficking victims, ensuring It also estimates the number of success revealed that five months into their safety and affording them the files that need to be submitted to the fiscal year, ChildNet could predict best level of care. This year, the STARS achieve each agency’s growth goals, which provider agencies would committees reported there were the number of MAPP classes needed meet their June recruitment goal. nearly 40 known victims related to and how many people on average cases involving human trafficking. each MAPP class should have. Model In the first four months of this fiscal Approach to Partnerships in Parenting year, 68 new licensing files were MAKING MEASURABLE (MAPP), is a nationally accepted submitted in Broward County and PROGRESS IN FOSTER HOME training curriculum for individuals 31 in Palm Beach County. Palm RECRUITMENT Beach saw a 6 percent increase in who want to become foster parents. new foster homes and 6 percent The Southeast Region saw continued With the support of another lead increase in number of children served. success in foster home recruitment, agency, ChildNet is implementing Broward saw a 3 percent increase training, and licensing, thanks in part a more efficient foster parent pre- in new foster homes and 11 percent to the “Managed Process Model,” service training with Department increase in number of children served. i FosteringFlorida.com

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Stories from SOUTHERN The University of South Florida has been contracted to follow and evaluate the program’s effectiveness. REGION Baseline data is collected upon entry into the CHANCE program, and subsequent data is collected at discharge, three months post discharge, and HELPING VICTIMS HEAL six months post discharge, if applicable. When treating child victims of sexual exploitation, Southern Region staff learned quickly that a single IMPROVING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH model of residential care would not address the needs Sadly, there are youth in Florida who struggle with of all children who experience this kind of trauma. To medically diagnosed mental health issues. To address find a solution, the region worked with its Community this problem in south Florida, the Southern Region Based Care lead agency, Our Kids of Miami-Dade and team sought to increase access to care for youth Monroe, and Citrus Health Network, a Substance identified as Severely Emotionally Disturbed. Through Abuse and Mental Health provider. Together, they a project called FACES—Families and Communities identified best practices and models that could be Empowered for Success—the region and its many used to ensure better outcomes for the victims. partners have worked to expand and integrate the An innovative program known as CHANCE— system of care (SOC) by offering a comprehensive Citrus Helping Adolescents Negatively Impacted by range of integrated treatment services using evidence- Commercial Exploitation—uses Intensive In-Home based practices, including Wraparound, Motivational Wrap-Around Services to give victims comprehensive Interviewing, and Wellness Recovery Action Plans. mental health treatment from a multi-disciplinary Funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health team. The program also uses a Therapeutic Foster Service Administration (SAMHSA) the FACES project Care Program specifically for victims of Commercial focuses on a wellness maintenance model adapted Sexual Exploitation of Children. Foster parents become for youth. It transforms children’s mental health into trained in the behavioral and emotional needs of a recovery-oriented system of care for children and these children and their unique social challenges. youth, as well as their families. FACES empowers youth and their families to become drivers of their services, as well as active participants in the transformation effort.

16 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 Given the diversity of the community SHARE YOUR HEART: A and the desire to create an PARTNERSHIP OF FAITH inclusive process, the project team The Southern Region has collaborated with a multitude of successfully cultivated providers and agencies involved partnerships with several local in child services. In August 2013, faith organizations through an SAMHSA reveiwed the project and innovative initiative known as identified multiple areas where the Share Your Heart. The initiative SOC values were evident. They noted provides support for children, strong collaboration across system families and vulnerable adults in partners and the effectiveness in need. Share Your Heart works engaging and empowering families like a referral service between A key element that has given and youth in services. Also noted DCF and the faith community. When a credence to the initiative involves was the provider’s ability to stabilize child, family or vulnerable adult comes training for members of Share Your youth with more complex and in contact with DCF and needs Heart. Under a working agreement severe behavioral health needs assistance, DCF connects them with between DCF and Share Your Heart, in their homes and to reduce the Share Your Heart faith network. Share Your Heart volunteers receive the use of residential services. training created by Baptist Hospital Children, families and vulnerable Congregational Health. From there, adults receive support from the Share Your Heart trainers have faith community at a time when recruited and trained other faith- they need it most. Members based partners. So far, more than FACES HAS POSITIVE of Share Your Heart provide 150 churches/faith-based partners IMPACT things as simple as food, water, clothing, diapers, toys and books. and nearly 400 chaplains have Preliminary data shows: Spiritual guidance is also available received the 16 hours of training. • Approximately 56% of youth if the person requests it. Beyond More than 400 families have been reported improvement in addressing immediate needs, Share assisted through Share Your Heart. depression symptoms. Your Heart also offers long-term • 57% of youth reported networks of support for anyone improvement in interested. Participation in Share anxiety symptoms. Your Heart is purely voluntary. • Youth reported a 15% decrease in weekly drug use. victoryforyouth.org/shareyourheart/you.html • Youth delinquency rates i decreased by 15%.

WWW.MYFLFAMILIES.COM 17 ŰŰ ACCESS ŰŰ Adult Protection ŰŰ Child Care ŰŰ Child Protection ŰŰ Domestic Violence ŰŰ Foster Care ŰŰ Human Trafficking ŰŰ Independent Living ŰŰ Public Benefit Integrity ŰŰ Refugee Services ŰŰ Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Camp Take the Lead was a Stories from one-of-a-kind experience, and I would definitely do it again. ACROSS —Dav’Lyn, Camper

FLORIDA experience for the children. The department forged partnerships with businesses, individuals and community organizations to create one-of-a-kind camp experiences. CAMPS FOR CHAMPIONS INSPIRE Key supporters included AT&T, Wells Fargo, Century FOSTER YOUTH Link, Florida Sun Sports and the Florida Retail Federation, The department’s Camps for Champions initiative just to name a few. DCF appreciates its Community continued to expand and diversify in offering camp Based Care partners and business leaders who helped experiences for foster youth. In 2012-13, the department, to give children in foster care the same opportunities together with Community Based Care partners and and experiences that all children should have. sponsors, offered 22 camps across Florida for a record- breaking 1,200 foster youth. Campers participated in a variety of exciting activities that featured character- Camp Take the Lead - Dress for Success building experiences, living healthy lifestyles, developing http://youtu.be/pdXKdmuHwq8 career and life skills, STEM i (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) exploration, art, and music. They also enjoyed meeting and interacting with famous athletes, coaches and even a former astronaut. The success of the camps is credited largely to the communities that host them and the partners who lend their time, talent and resources to create a great The Florida Retail Federation held the first-ever Camp Take the Lead in Tampa

18 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 IMPROVING CHILD SAFETY Where Are We Now? After nearly three years in • Child protection professionals development and planning, DCF are receiving the new eight-day and its partners across Florida Safety Methodology training. began implementing the Safety In addition, the department Methodology, a new child welfare is facilitating training of practice model that standardizes partners and stakeholders to the approach to safety decision ensure a smooth transition making and risk assessment in to the new practice model. determining a child’s safety. The methodology also emphasizes parent • Pre-service curriculum is being engagement and empowerment. It revised to include 10 training has been applied systemically, from tracks that focus on child safety. the Florida Abuse Hotline to case • Major modifications and management services, to establish: enhancements have been made to the department’s 1. A common language for assessing child welfare database, the safety for both child protective Florida Safe Families Network investigators and case managers. (FSFN), to support the Safety 2. A standardized process • Insufficient investigative Methodology practice and make for identifying children practices and inadequate data entry more efficient. who are unsafe. case management; • Sixteen sites statewide 3. A common set of constructs • Lack of integrated have been approved to that guide safety interventions information sharing; fully implement the Safety for unsafe children. • Rapid caseworker Methodology. Approval 4. A common framework for turnover, inexperience, requires that all stakeholders case planning to address child excessive caseloads; (CPI, case manager, Children’s needs and diminished caregiver Legal Services attorney, and protective capacities. • Unclear case integration; dependency judge) be trained • Unclear role of supervisors and ready to implement Florida’s Safety Methodology was for case investigation the Safety Methodology. developed, and continues to be and management; and • The department has established refined, in conjunction with national a steering committee that experts from the National Resource • Substandard quality of includes judges, Community Center for Child Protection and documentation by both case Based Care lead agencies, the Children’s Research Center. managers and investigators. a Guardian ad Litem, and The key to the Safety Methodology Short-term improvements have advocates to oversee ongoing is ensuring that child welfare included training, enhancing implementation activities. professionals have the skills and accountability and expectations over supervisory support they need to case ownership, requiring corrective • The department’s leadership, adequately assess child safety. action plans, and updating local law regional champions and enforcement agreements. However, supervisors meet regularly Why Make the Change? long-term changes require significant to discuss the practice In March 2011, an independent and sustainable improvement in change and use of the review panel critically examined child safety and well-being. automated tools in FSFN. the death of Nubia Barahona and • Florida Administrative Rules are identified a number of systemic undergoing major revisions to errors and omissions that occurred address mandatory rulemaking. at various levels of the child protection system, including:

SUMMER PREVENTION SERIES Florida loses more children under the age of five to drowning than any other state in the nation. Many children are also locked in hot cars every year. Other children are exposed to more tragedy on TV when they are out of school. To address these issues, DCF launched a summer series of weekly public service announcement (PSA) videos online to promote prevention and awareness. Fifteen TV stations aired the PSAs for free during the summer months. A website with summer safety tips and the PSAs was launched at www.myflfamilies.com/summer-safety.

WWW.MYFLFAMILIES.COM 19 PARTNERSHIP REDUCES CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT The Department of Children and Families partners with the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, a private nonprofit corporation, to administer innovative prevention programs that provide measurable benefits to our state’s children, families and communities. Since 1998, DCF has contracted with the Ounce of Prevention Fund to administer Healthy Families Florida, a nationally accredited, evidence-based home visiting program that improves childhood outcomes by preventing child abuse and neglect in 98 percent of children in the high-risk families who voluntarily participate in services. A recent analysis conducted by the Department of Children and Families shows that 95 percent of children were still free from abuse and neglect three years after program completion. Research and experience show that Healthy Families provides a valuable return on investment: • Conservative estimates show it costs Florida taxpayers $72,709 a year to provide child welfare, hospitalization, special education and juvenile justice services to care for an abused or neglected child. • Healthy Families services are proven to prevent child abuse and neglect in high-risk families for $1,800 a year per child.

PROMOTING PREVENTION THROUGH AWARENESS DCF also partners with the Ounce of Prevention Fund to implement primary and secondary prevention activities, and advocate for policies and initiatives to strengthen Florida’s families as the Florida chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America. These efforts include: 1. Sustaining a network of 43 mutual self-help parent support groups known as the Florida Circle of Parents. 2. Implementing Pinwheels for Prevention™, an annual statewide campaign affiliated with Prevent Child Abuse America to create a community-wide commitment to healthy child development. This campaign: • Generated 1.2 million impressions through newspaper articles, website and social media sites. • Distributed over 65,000 copies of Family Development—A Caregiver’s Guide. • Broadcasted over 3,000 public service announcements. • Raised private dollars to distribute over 40,000 pinwheels for use in public awareness displays. 3. Addressing two of the leading causes of preventable child deaths in Florida, unsafe sleep environments and accidental drowning, by distributing over 130,000 brochures to child and family service providers. 4. Providing educational and training opportunities by promoting and expanding parent leadership activities between parents/caregivers and providers.

20 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 DCF ACCESS PROGRAM SEES Quality Control rates in the has implemented security protocols MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS nation, which has resulted in widely used in the financial industry The department’s ACCESS Program— millions of dollars in federal to verify that the applicant’s identity which administers vital services bonuses. Florida has received is correct. DCF’s efforts in this for Floridians in need of food, cash a bonus six years in a row. area have resulted in a cost savings and medical assistance—achieved • Successful design and to taxpayers of $11.2 million. impressive results this year on implementation of one of a number of critical projects. the first Asset Verification Investigating Fraud A significant achievement was the Systems in the nation for The ACCESS Integrity program has design and implementation of a new select medical programs, which investigative staff throughout the Medicaid Eligibility System that is has uncovered numerous state actively monitoring online compliant with Federal Affordable attempts to hide assets. and social media sites to identify Care Act (ACA) requirements. The individuals attempting to sell project was completed on time, on PREVENTING THEFT OF their Electronic Benefits Transfer PUBLIC BENEFITS (EBT) cards. Investigators also budget and had the fastest execution actively track instances in which nationwide (less than a year). This The Office of Public Benefits Integrity multiple EBT card replacements project involved complex planning (OPBI) comprises two divisions: are requested and monitor known and interfaces required by the ACCESS Integrity and Benefit addresses or persons related to Federal Marketplace and verification Recovery. These programs work past fraudulent activities. New hub, the Agency for Health Care to prevent, detect, and recover technological tools allow investigators Administration, Florida Healthy improper or fraudulent receipt to monitor activity in real time Kids, and the Department of Health. of public assistance benefits. and take appropriate action before The system also required creation fraudulent EBT cards are issued— of a new customer application Guarding Against Identity Theft web portal to accommodate stopping fraud at the front door. ACA eligibility rules for family- Florida ranks first in the nation for identity theft, which costs the nation Recovering Taxpayer Money related Medicaid. Early results nearly $48 billion each year. DCF show that the system is working leads the nation in processing The Benefit Recovery program well, the customer experience is public assistance underwent substantial process good and application volume is applications online at streamlining and redesign this consistent with prior experience. 97 percent, which year, producing significant Other achievements include: increases the threat results. The program’s of identity theft. primary role is to • Transition to a new Electronic DCF was approved identify and recover Benefits Transfer (EBT) to become the any public assistance vendor resulting in major first state to benefits that were paid cost savings and additional integrate customer to any current or former fraud-fighting tools that no authentication and recipients to which they other state has in their EBT identity verification were not entitled (due to contracts. The transition was solutions into the attempted fraud, inadvertent completed in nine months. ACCESS application error or agency error.) • Consistently producing one of system—making us the model for the best Supplemental Nutrition other states to follow. In partnership It’s not IF we catch you, it’s WHEN Assistance Program (SNAP) with LexisNexis, the department i http://youtu.be/4dVftcBNavk

WWW.MYFLFAMILIES.COM 21 SUBSTANCE ABUSE Additionally, SAMH implemented • All seven of the state mental AND MENTAL HEALTH— two key projects: health treatment facilities IMPROVING OUTCOMES • Established community action are accredited and have The Substance Abuse and Mental teams in a pilot project to maintained the requisite Health (SAMH) Program culminated divert adolescents from being high level of quality services more than a decade of work in placed outside the home. necessary for re-certification. establishing seven community • Florida State Hospital based organizations to serve as • Expanded substance abuse completed restoration of the managing entities to administer and services for pregnant women Apalachicola Arsenal Powder manage behavioral health services. and women with children Magazine, dating back to 1832, as part of an $8.9 million which will serve as a conference allocation from the Legislature. center and future museum. Statewide, DCF operates or State Mental Health Treatment Facilities contracts for the operation of State mental health treatment facilities ŰŰ Florida State Hospital four civil facilities and four forensic partner with the community to help ŰŰ Northeast Florida State Hospital facilities with a total bed capacity individuals experiencing a severe ŰŰ South Florida State Hospital, of 2,632, excluding medical beds. and persistent mental illness better ŰŰ West Florida Community Care manage their symptoms through ŰŰ North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center Accomplishments during community services and support. the past year include: ŰŰ South Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center FLORIDA HOSTS SECOND ŰŰ Treasure Coast Forensic Treatment Center • The average length of stay STATEWIDE HUMAN in a civil treatment facility TRAFFICKING SUMMIT continued to decline, down DCF worked with fellow agencies over 38 percent over and community partners to help the last three years. coordinate the state’s second • Facilities reduced the Statewide Human Trafficking Summit, BORN DRUG-FREE average time to restore which drew in more than 700 law FLORIDA competency to 103 days, enforcement, legal and service In May 2013, DCF, the well below the legislatively professionals. The Summit addressed Attorney General’s Office, mandated target of 125 days. issues ranging from combatting the DOH and other members The program also increased commercial sexual exploitation of the Statewide Task Force the number of residents of children to labor trafficking on Prescription Drug Abuse discharged as competent. investigations and prosecutions. and Newborns launched a statewide educational campaign designed to prevent babies MyFlFamilies.com/service- from being born already programs/Human-Trafficking exposed to prescription i drugs. Newborns exposed to prescription drugs while See the Anti-Human Trafficking video in the womb may suffer from Neonatal Abstinence produced by DCF. Syndrome, a painful withdrawal from the drugs after birth. The campaign educates expectant mothers about the importance of discussing prescription drug use with their doctors and provides information to assist women. The campaign includes a helpline at 1-877- 233-5656, a website at BornDrugFreeFL.com, video and radio spots, billboards, web ads, printed materials and partnerships with medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities and community organizations. http://youtu.be/j7hO7ME0HqY

22 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 During the Summit, Governor IMPLEMENTING THE NANCY Scott told the audience, “Human C. DETERT COMMON trafficking is a form of modern-day SENSE AND COMPASSION slavery that affects more than 27 INDEPENDENT LIVING ACT million people worldwide, including In 2013, the Florida Legislature an estimated two million children.” passed the Nancy C. Detert DCF Interim Secretary Esther Common Sense and Compassion Jacobo emphasized DCF’s and its Independent Living Act, which gives partners’ commitment to developing youth in foster care new options services and treatment that help once they turn 18. Practitioners, victims recover and thrive. During advocates, youth formerly in foster the event, several outstanding care and community partners individuals were recognized, including: statewide have been hard at • Sergeant Patrick Guckian, Law work to restructure services and Enforcement Officer of the programs to align with the new Year—a member of the Orlando law and to provide a smoother Police Department, he trained transition into adulthood for young the law enforcement community people aging out of foster care. on investigating human sex Foster care alumni have dubbed trafficking and is responsible the new programs “My Future, My for the rescue of several youth Choice” (see page 24 for more from forced prostitution. information) because of the multiple • Dotti Groover-Skipper, Advocate options provided to help young of the Year—an advocate for adults achieve their future goals. anti-human sex trafficking in the Young adults can engage in a variety Clearwater/Tampa Bay area. She of activities to be eligible for one of spearheaded the Hillsborough the new programs. Each program County Commission on the is designed to provide services and Status of Women’s 2012 Fall supports to young adults as they Forum on Sex Trafficking of pursue academic and career goals, Minors and chaired various and to provide a strong foundation community campaigns and for success on their own. initiatives to develop a unified In 2014, approximately 659 Florida message on the need to resolve youth are expected to turn 18 while the tragedy of human trafficking. in licensed foster care. All will be • Stacie B. Harris, Prosecutor of eligible to remain in extended care the Year—as an assistant U.S. if they choose. As of December 31, Attorney for the Middle District 2013, there were approximately of Florida, She prosecuted the 1,800 youth participating in the first person sentenced to life Road-to-Independence (RTI) for sex trafficking in Florida, program, which the Legislature one of only 10 in the country. created in 2002 for young adults She has prosecuted numerous aging out of foster care. defendants in federal court and was a presenter at the International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators. She also helped train lawyers, judges and professors from Brazil in preparation for the 2013 World Cup and MyFlFamilies.com/MyFuture 2016 Summer Olympics. i

WWW.MYFLFAMILIES.COM 23 NEW “MY FUTURE, MY CHOICE” PROGRAMS Effective Jan. 1, 2014, youth who turn 18 while in licensed foster care can choose to remain under state care until their 21st birthday, or 22nd birthday if they have a disability. Young adults in extended foster care (EFC) must attend school, work 80 hours a month, or participate in activities to enhance their employability. While in EFC, young adults are provided a stable living environment, food, transportation to and from work or school, case management services, and judicial oversight of their progress toward independence. Once a young adult has obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent, he or she may apply for the Postsecondary Education Services and Support (PESS) program. PESS provides a $1,256 monthly stipend to help defray the cost of a postsecondary education. Students enrolled in PESS must attend a college, university or vocational education program for at least nine credit hours per semester to remain eligible for the stipend. Students enrolled in PESS may leave and reenter the program as many times as needed until their 23rd birthday. Young adults not enrolled in PESS or EFC can receive temporary supports and services through the Aftercare program. This program is designed to provide assistance with services such as mental health and substance abuse counseling, life skills classes, parenting classes, job and career skills training, mentoring and tutoring, counselor consultations, financial literacy skills training, and temporary financial assistance for necessities.

IMPROVEMENTS TO CHILD screening helpdesk component CARE OVERSIGHT to assist personnel requiring MyFlFamilies.com/Service- From streamlining background screening to Programs/Child-Care background checks for receive timely information i child care professionals for employment purposes. has helped increase awareness on to fighting childhood The CCR&BGS also this topic and spread the word with obesity, the department’s initiated a redesign of the partner agencies on the significance Child Care Regulation child care information and impact of childhood obesity. and Background Screening system to create a more office had a productive efficient user-friendly A LOOK AT DOMESTIC and successful year. online format. Regional VIOLENCE At the start of the year, the licensing staff conducted 30,518 A snapshot of Florida’s 42 certified department merged the Child Care inspections in more than 7,500 domestic violence centers reveals Regulation office and Background child care settings to include newly that more than 3,000 women, men, Screening office to create one adopted food hygiene standards. and children receive assistance office—Child Care Regulation In addition, the child care program and services statewide during and Background Screening launched the P.R.E.V.E.N.T. an average 24-hour period. (CCR&BGS). With Obesity Initiative with a goal background screening to Provide Resources, In 2012-13, domestic violence centers for child care making Evidence, Valuable provided emergency shelter to up approximately 70 Education and Training 15,677 survivors and their children. percent of the screening for child care providers Children who fled the violence with workload, the merger to improve the health their parent accounted for 46 percent allowed for expansion of and nutrition of children of shelter residents. Centers also the Child Care Training in care. The department’s provided non-residential services Information Center social media presence to 32,953 individuals and case to include a background 24 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 management to 27,956 individuals. is received. An Adult Protective Additionally, advocates answered Investigator conducts an assessment 90,927 crisis calls on local hotlines of the immediate safety of the and assisted with 86,317 safety plans. alleged victim and identifies the Centers range in size from 14 need for services or interventions. to 132 beds, totaling 1,942 beds This summer, the APS Program available statewide for those in convened a task force of LAUREN’S KIDS imminent danger. In 2013, legislators representatives from the Office of Lauren’s Kids is a Florida- approved $10 million to create an the Attorney General, Office of the based nonprofit engaged in additional 278 beds statewide to State Attorney, law enforcement, child sexual abuse awareness. reduce the number of survivors elder law attorneys and legislative The Department partnered and their children who could not staff to explore ways to improve with Lauren’s Kids founder be housed due to lack of capacity. our collaborative work and Florida’s Lauren Book to launch a capacity to prosecute those who statewide public awareness PROTECTING VULNERABLE commit crimes against vulnerable and educational initiative for ADULTS adults. The task force identified prevention of child sexual The Adult Protective Services the need to strengthen state laws abuse. Lauren’s Kids has the (APS) Program serves the to address this issue, with support of Governor Scott and elderly and adults with emphasis on elder financial receives nationwide attention. disabilities who are exploitation, which is a Lauren’s Kids developed a “Safer, victims of abuse, neglect, growing crime nationwide. Smarter Kids” curriculum for or exploitation, or As a result, the task elementary school students, who need assistance to force drafted proposed which teaches children about remain in their homes legislative language safe and unsafe secrets and or in the community. to strengthen financial how to tell a trusted adult. exploitation laws. This Our partnership included Adults in need of our services action resulted in HB 409 being the development, statewide primarily come to the attention of introduced in the 2014 session distribution and evaluation the department through a report that incorporates the task force of the curricula, kits and to the Florida Abuse Hotline. If a recommendations. The task force will supplemental materials for report meets the statutory criteria continue to assist in ensuring strong kindergarten and voluntary to prompt an adult protective adult protection laws in Florida, that pre-kindergarten students, along investigation, initial contact will be will serve as a model for the nation. with distribution to 1st through made with the alleged victim within 5th grade students statewide. 24 hours from the time a report Lauren’s Kids coordinated and conducted training in schools statewide to illustrate sexual abuse awareness prevention and information on the child abuse reporting and investigative processes and the information needed by the department’s Florida Abuse Hotline to qualify abuse calls. Training included changes in child abuse reporting pursuant to recent legislation. A public awareness campaign titled, “Don’t Miss the Signs,” was developed and implemented to highlight the signs of child abuse and direct people to call the Florida Abuse Hotline if they suspect a child is being abused or neglected. (800) 962-2873

Florida Abuse Hotline i (800) 962-2873 WWW.MYFLFAMILIES.COM 25 THE SAFE SLEEP CAMPAIGN Between January and November 2013, 143 reports alleging sleep-related infant deaths were called in to the Florida Abuse Hotline—deaths that likely could ave been prevented. To address this tragedy, DCF joined with other state agencies, state officials, nonprofit organizations and first responders to launch The Safe Sleep Campaign. The campaign includes a public awareness component, as well as free online training and materials for Florida’s first responders. The campaign also encourages the public to donate new Pack N Plays (portable cribs) to designated locations that can be distributed to needy families by local Healthy Start coalitions. As of December 2013: • 77 drop-off Pack ‘N Play donation sites throughout Florida. • 79 Safe Sleep Campaign partners. • 300 first responders have taken online courses. i MyFlFamilies.com/SafeSleep

REFUGEE SERVICES—A NEW In addition to employment assistance, 2,030 in vocational training. Other BEGINNING Refugee Services provides help in services included child care assistance, Florida has the largest population adult education, primarily English academic assistance to newly arrived in the nation of refugees eligible for language training. Last fiscal year, refugee youth, health care services resettlement services. Of the more the program served 14,044 clients and case management for particularly than 29,000 refugees who came in English language training and vulnerable families and individuals. to Florida between Oct. 2012 and Sept. 2013 (Federal Fiscal Year), 90 percent were from Cuba. Florida’s Refugee Services Program is 100 percent funded by the federal government, and provides assistance to newly arrived refugees who have fled persecution from their home countries. The program helps clients gain employment, learn English, acquire job skills, and become self-sufficient, contributing members of Florida’s communities. During state fiscal year 2012-13, DCF’s Refugee Services Program helped 8,943 clients become employed, with 64 percent retaining employment for at least 90 days. Some clients may have advanced degrees, but need to be recertified to obtain licensure and be recognized as eligible to work in their professions. Other refugees arrive from refugee camps or may be of rural backgrounds with little or no work experience and need assistance getting a job through short-term or vocational training. DCF helps refugees gain employment, acquire job skills, and become self-sufficient.

26 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 2012-13 BUDGET OVERVIEW

Family and Community Services $945,496,433 32.87% Committed to the safety and well-being of vulnerable adults and permanency of children while preserving families Mental Health $585,814,090 20.37% Supports mental health services including crisis intervention services, community treatment, and residential programs Public Assistance $439,022,816 15.26% Supports the planning, management, evaluation and delivery of public assistance Investigations $312,493,471 10.86% Child and Adult Protective Investigations consider allegations to determine the safety of children and vulnerable adults Substance Abuse $199,769,515 9.95% Supports a continuum of community based substance abuse prevention, treatment, and detoxification services Information Technology $177,436,815 6.17% Develops and maintains information technology empowering frontline staff to provide timely services to Floridians Forensic $130,153,956 4.52% Supports forensic mental health services Administration $86,161,403 3.00% Executive Leadership assures the Department services meet the highest standards for quality and integrity TOTAL $ 2,876,348,499 100.00%

WWW.MYFLFAMILIES.COM 27 Mission Protect the Vulnerable, Promote Strong and Economically Self-Sufficient Families, and Advance Personal and Family Recovery and Resiliency