FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND

N O R T H E A S T R E G I O N

YEAR IN REVIEW

SUCCESS IN SOCIAL SERVICES:

DCF HELPS FLORIDA’S CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM RANK AMONG THE TOP FIVE STATES NATIONWIDE,

HELPS FLORIDA RANK NUMBER TWO IN ACCURACY FOR PROCESSING FOOD ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS,

ALL WHILE REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS

Page 2 Northeast Region Year In Review

MESSAGE FROM NORTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR DAVID ABRAMOWITZ For Regional I spent 30 years in the U.S. Army, serving our Director David Abramowitz, country in places like Afghanistan, Baghdad and engaging our Korea. I rose to the rank of Colonel and became the communities is Inspector General with the U.S. Army Forces one of his core Command. values. In photos from top When I retired from the Army, I wanted to use to bottom: he joins DCF my experience to help children and families in need. employees to My wife and I wanted to give something back to the promote community. That’s why I joined the Florida awareness of Department of Children and Families as the Prevention by Northeast Region Director. planting blue pinwheels, holds I am proud to report that we have dedicated and a child at a outstanding employees who care deeply about Child Abuse helping others. I have seen it firsthand, having been Prevention Month event on more than 50 ride-alongs with our hard-working where Tonya investigators. I have been to every county in our 20 Wilkins, wife of county Northeast Region and to many counties more DCF Secretary than once. I observed our employees in every David Wilkins, was a guest program area and I met with community leaders speaker, plays throughout the Region. basketball with a teenager in What DCF Does , Our agency serves more people in need than any joins some of the 40 DCF other state agency in Florida. Our services employees who include: went to areas in  Investigating reports of abuse and neglect North Central involving children and vulnerable adults Florida hit by Tropical Storm  Overseeing foster care, and services Debby to to prevent future abuse and neglect. process replacement  Providing economic assistance to families in food stamps for need people in need,  Licensing and inspecting facilities and met with and day care homes Jacksonville Mayor Alvin  Contracting with a Managing Entity for Brown. services to help people with substance abuse and mental health issues. (continued) Northeast Region Year In Review Page 3

MESSAGE FROM NORTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR DAVID ABRAMOWITZ (continued) DCF’s Northeast Region covers 2.4 million people in 20 Northeast Florida counties, including the Jacksonville, Daytona Beach and

Gainesville areas.

DCF Efficiency: Quality Services, Taxpayer Savings Florida is getting federal During these tough economic times, the work of our region’s recognition for how the employees helped Florida rank as one of the top states in the country state is running its food for accuracy in processing food stamps for the fifth year in a row. stamp program. This is despite Florida having had one of the biggest increases of any state The Department of in the country for the number of people receiving food stamps. This mod- Children and Families announced that the federal el of efficiency ensures that taxpayer money is being used properly and government has awarded not being wasted. the state a bonus for the fifth year in a row. The Northeast Region also contributed to Florida’s child welfare -The Florida Times- system being ranked among the five best in the country, according to Union, Jul. 3, 2012 the 2012 Right For Kids Rankings report. Florida is one of the few states that meet the following standards:

- a 24-hour response to investigate reports of child abuse or neglect

- visiting the vast majority of foster kids monthly Florida soon should be the - quickly and safely returning foster children home to their biological safest state in the nation for children following families when possible passage of the toughest

Twelve teams of Northeast Region employees received the state’s child abuse law in the country. highest honors in government efficiency- the Prudential/Davis For those unsure about the Productivity Awards. The concepts they developed could save taxpayers various aspects of up to $1.7 million dollars. reporting child abuse, there is an excellent Statewide, DCF has reduced its administrative costs by millions of website from the Florida dollars while adding critical front-line staff. We have streamlined our Department of Children internal support operations by moving to a Shared Services model of and Families. The evidence is clear that administrative operations. progress is being made. That Florida now has the Child Protective Investigations toughest reporting When I came to DCF, the Northeast Region had the state’s highest requirements in the nation turnover rate among Child Protective Investigators at 46.7 percent. No is a badge of honor. -The Florida Times- organization can be its best with that kind of turnover. Too much time Union, Jul. 7, 2012 was spent training new investigators instead of having experienced investigators lend their knowledge on difficult cases. (continued)

Page 4 Northeast Region Year In Review MESSAGE FROM NORTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR DAVID ABRAMOWITZ (continued)

We have made a number of improvements. We have hired more Child Protective Investigators and improved how we select investigators. We upgraded the training of new investigators, including having them shadow experienced investigators in the field. This helps them understand the commitment required for the job. We increased the training for supervisors to help them do a better job of developing and mentoring their

employees.

The results: Turnover among investigators was reduced, and we Numerous studies have project that it will be down to around 16 percent by June 2013. The shown the challenges children face if they grow average caseload per investigator declined by 33 percent. The average up in foster care and are time needed to close an investigation was reduced to 34 days, which helps not adopted. They are to better ensure child safety. more than three times likely to be arrested, near- Reducing The Number Of Children In Out of Home Care ly twice as likely to be- come a teenage mother, The first priority of the Department of Children and Families is child and seventeen times more safety. If a child is a victim of extreme abuse or is in danger in his home, likely to be homeless. we first place the child into our care for his own safety. The vast majority -Clay Today, May 3, 2012

of abuse reports do not rise to this level and our community-based care State and local child (CBC) partner agencies can put prevention services into homes to keep welfare officials are children safe there. In the Northeast Region, our partner agencies are dealing with a surge in Community Partnership for Children, Family Integrity Program, Family [child] abuse and neglect cases primarily blamed on Support Services of North Florida, Kids First of Florida and Partnership prescription drug abuse, for Strong Families. These agencies have had outstanding success in which is involved in about reducing the number of children in out of home care, including the foster 80 percent of the cases in care system. They have done this by providing prevention services to DCF’s Northeast Region. families to keep children safe in their own homes and by getting children The Intensive Family Intervention program has adopted out of the foster care system. been launched. Child welfare workers visit a In Volusia County, we saw a dramatic increase in reports of children family several times a in danger due to their abusing prescription drugs. At one point, week during several there was a 100 percent increase in the number of children brought into months. About 100 care over a two-month period. families locally, including

220 children, were helped We are working with our CBC partner in Volusia County, Community in the program over the Partnership for Children, to reduce the number of children in care. past sixteen months. -Daytona Beach News- Innovative programs have been launched to help keep children safely in Journal, Aug. 20, 2012 their homes. (continued)

Northeast Region Year In Review Page 5

MESSAGE FROM NORTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR DAVID ABRAMOWITZ (continued)

These programs include the Family In-Home Resource and Support Team (FIRST) which provides intensive in-home services aimed to stabilize families in crisis. Additionally, Community Partnership for Children is working to ensure that children do not linger in the system. As a result, progress is being made. They far exceeded their goals for the number of adoptions out of foster care in the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Although there is still work to do, the number of children in care declined by 5 percent in a six-week period.

ACCESS Program For Economic Assistance When families are struggling to find their next meal, we need to work efficiently to help them. We implemented a more systematic method of interviewing people who apply for assistance and a faster method of processing applications for food stamps and temporary cash assistance.

As a result, we have reduced the time needed to process applications by 22 percent, from 18 days to 14 days. We have also reduced the average number of overdue applications by more than half.

As we increase our efficiency, we do stress accuracy, with the goal of continuing to help Florida be one of the top states in the country for accuracy in processing food stamp applications.

Adult Protective Investigations We realized that we needed to complete investigations in a more timely manner. We worked to reduce turnover among investigators to achieve this. Additionally, supervisors went out in the field more often to help investigators with their cases.

These and other actions resulted in reducing the average time needed to close cases by 27 percent and reduced the average caseload per investigator by 30 percent.

Transforming The Florida Abuse Hotline This initiative is being led by DCF’s Central Office. The transformation of the Abuse Hotline will create a true operational Command Center to report abuse and to initiate protective investigations. The changes will ensure that critical information about the children and families involved in our cases will be collected more quickly and transmitted immediately to our investigators in the field.

Of course, even with all of the improvements in DCF’s operations, government can’t solve all of the problems. How can you help children and families in need?

If you suspect that children or vulnerable adults are being abused, neglected, or exploited, you are required by state law to report it to the Florida Abuse Hotline. The penalties for anyone who suspects that a child is being abused but fails to report it have been increased from a misdemeanor to a felony. Financial penalties have also been increased. (continued) Page 6 Northeast Region Year In Review MESSAGE FROM NORTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR DAVID ABRAMOWITZ (continued) New DCF Regional You must report suspected abuse or neglect to the Abuse Hotline by calling the Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873. If you see a Director David Abramowitz said the department is child in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1. You can also make a changing. The focus is report online at: moving toward keeping www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/abuse-hotline. families together, and providing in home services Consider becoming a foster . We need more foster homes. to parents who need it. If a There are more than 8,000 children in foster care in Florida. They are child is in danger, however, removed from their homes through no fault of their own. Because of DCF said they are abuse and neglect, they are not able to safely remain with their families. immediately sheltered from the home. -First Coast

DCF has kicked off a new initiative to recruit foster parents. We News, WTLV (NBC) and want to increase the number and the quality of foster homes in Florida, WJXX (ABC) Jacksonville, build stronger foster families for our children and ensure that our Apr. 5, 2012

\ children have every chance at becoming successful adults. For more \

information, please go to www.fosteringflorida.com. Over the last three years, 129 babies have died in If you know someone who has a baby or is about to have a baby, northeast Florida from sleeping in an improper please urge them to follow safe sleeping practices. During the past three way. -WJXT Channel 4 years in the Northeast Region, we have lost an alarming number of News, Mar. 6, 2012 babies due to unsafe sleeping conditions.

Numerous studies show that babies are safest when following the For the first time ever, more ABC’s of safe sleep practices- when they sleep Alone, on their Backs, babies are being born to and in Cribs. Infants should never sleep in the same bed with adults, young, unwed women than because adults could roll over and suffocate the infants. to married moms. -Tampa Bay Times,

Finally, one of the major challenges I’ve seen is some young people Feb. 26, 2012 having children much too early. They did not choose their partners carefully and had children before they could properly care for them. If you know a young person, please encourage them to delay becoming a The demise of two-parent families in the U.S. has parent until they are mentally and financially able to support a child. been an economic catastrophe. In 1965, 93% Thanks to our outstanding and dedicated employees, and the great of births were to married work of our community partners, this has been a year full of women. Today, 41% of accomplishments in the Northeast Region. I encourage you to read this births are to unmarried Annual Report to find out more. women. More than 40% of - - David Abramowitz, DCF Northeast Regional Director single-mother families are poor. -The Los Angeles Times, June 3, 2012

Northeast Region Year In Review Page 7

ENGAGING COMMUNITIES: DCF’s “Partners For Promise” Government alone cannot solve all of the problems that we face. DCF recognizes that. In our communities, there are children and families who are struggling with major challenges and urgent needs in their lives. For example, nearly one in four children in Florida are currently living in .

DCF has launched a new program called “Partners for Promise” to bring people in need together with people who can help. Partners for Promise engages the business, faith-based and nonprofit communities to give of their time, talent, skills and resources. By doing this, they will help children, seniors and families in need. This will result in building stronger and more productive communities.

Examples of Partners for Promise initiatives include:  Businesses providing free haircuts to foster children before school starts  Employees using a team-building day to make over a foster home  Tutoring a child who needs help in school. As a Partner for Promise, you join a powerful network of volunteers who share their time and skills by volunteering, mentoring or tutoring. Partners focus their efforts on five key “promises” needed to empower families to improve their lives and achieve independence.

These promises are: Academic Success- improving graduation rates and educational outcomes of foster children through mentoring, tutoring, and the supports necessary for success. Family Prosperity- coaching families out of poverty. Healthy Living– Providing basic life needs that support healthy minds and bodies such as food, shelter, medical care, and other supports. Child Safety- building stability in families during times of crisis. Support for Seniors- providing basic essentials and supports to vulnerable Florida seniors.

Large and small organizations throughout the Northeast Region have stepped forward and made the pledge to help make a difference in their communities. You can read more about the Partners for Promise program at this website: www.flpartnersforpromise.com.

The Northeast Region has three Community Development Administrators who are responsible for linking businesses and volunteers in their communities with people and families who need assistance. These Administrators determine what the major needs are in their communities. They work with the resources that are unique to each community to ensure that DCF’s social services delivery system is optimized to meet these needs. (continued) Page 8 Northeast Region Year In Review

PARTNERS FOR PROMISE (continued) There are many in the community who share in our mission to help Floridians in need– including substance abuse centers, schools, individual citizens and businesses. If you or your business is interested in partnering with the Department to help children and families in need, our Community Development Administrators would like to hear from you. In North Central Florida, including Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Union counties, contact Janet Bente Romero at (352) 955-1932. In the Jacksonville area, including Duval, Clay and Nassau counties, contact Bryan Hensley at (904) 723-5448. In the Daytona Beach area, including Volusia, Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties, contact Arnold Anderson at (386) 481-9199. Examples of How DCF’s Northeast Region Is Engaging Communities The Northeast Region was home for two “Camps for Champions,” which provided 85 foster and adoptive children with fun and personal development opportunities. Many of the children had never been to a summer camp before. In Daytona Beach, DCF teamed up with the Daytona International Speedway for a “Career Camp,” while in Jack- sonville, DCF partnered with basketball legend Artis Gilmore for an art and music camp. For more information on DCF’s summer camps for foster and adoptive children, please go to www.campsforchampions.com.

Foster kids have it tough enough. So everyone should give a cheer to a group of partners who will make it possible for 250 of them to see the circus. This collaboration is part of the Department of Children and Families’ initiative, Partners for Promise. Youngsters heard about - -The Florida Times-Union, Editorial, Dec. 26, 2011 career opportunities in the sports business at Daytona The Substance Abuse Task Force was created by representatives of the International Speedway. Florida Department of Children & Families and other agencies. Regional Director - - -Daytona Beach News-Journal, Mar. 7, 2012 Abramowitz spoke with children in Jacksonville. On the campus of Edward Waters College, the Schell-Sweet Center is a “one -stop community center.” It offers social services, community service workshops and seminars, classes, educational programs including GED preparation, and employment referrals. The Department of Children and Families references the center as a “model facility” for its inter-generational approach to community care. DCF also has an office at the center. –The Florida Times-Union, Dec. 27, 2011 Northeast Region Year In Review Page 9 THE GROWING NEED FOR ASSISTANCE Statistics Show Families’ Urgent Need For Help In Meeting Their Basic Needs The terrible economy has hit hard. Homelessness A record number of Americans have fallen into is up. Child abuse and neglect is increasing. poverty or are scraping by on low-income earnings. –The Florida Times-Union, Feb. 2, 2012 The new numbers follow years of stagnating wages for the middle class that have hurt millions of fam- According to a DCF report, there are about 49,000 ilies. Safety net programs such as food stamps and homeless school-aged kids in Florida. tax credits kept poverty from rising even higher, but -The Associated Press, June 6, 2012 many low-income families burdened with medical

Nearly one in every four Florida children now lives expenses are considered too 'rich' to qualify for below the federal poverty line. assistance. -The Orlando Sentinel, June 11, 2012 "If Congress and the states make further cuts, we

can expect the number of poor and low-income Every year about 27 percent of babies in Alachua families to rise for the next several years," said a County are born into abject poverty. That public policy professor who specializes in poverty. percentage is growing. Those babies are -The Associated Press, Dec. 15, 2011 typically born to unwed mothers, often involving drug use, welfare dependency, incarcerated U.S. poverty is on track to rise to the highest level fathers, homelessness, and rampant abuse and since the 1960’s. Millions could fall through the neglect. cracks as government aid, including Medicaid, welfare and food stamps diminishes. Long-term They are generally already doomed to a dismal economic changes such as globalization, future of unemployment, welfare dependency and automation and outsourcing have pushed median criminal behavior. This is why our sheriff and household income lower. police chief advocate for early childhood -The Associated Press, Jul. 22, 2012 development agency funding. They know we either spend a dollar now on prevention or seven dollars There is a 38 percent increase in the number of in social costs later. homeless people living in Alachua County -The Gainesville Sun, Oct. 8, 2012 compared to the previous year. – The Gainesville Sun, Jan. 11, 2012 A new report says Florida ranks fourth in In Volusia County, homelessness has increased by economic insecurity behind Mississippi, more than 60 percent in the last five years and there Arkansas and Alabama. -Tallahassee Democrat, are over 2,000 homeless children in Volusia June 22, 2012 schools. -Daytona Beach News-Journal, More than half of Florida’s public school Mar. 25, 2012 students are eligible for free or reduced-price The cost of raising a child from birth to age 17 has school lunches.- Daytona Beach News-Journal, Jul. 11, 2012 surged 25 percent over the last 10 years. A middle- income family with a child born in 2010 can expect to spend roughly $287,000, not including college.

-CNBC, May 7, 2012

A record number of Americans- nearly one in two- have fallen into poverty or are scraping by on low- income earnings. The new numbers follow years of stagnating wages for the middle class that have hurt millions of families. Safety net programs such as food stamps and tax credits kept poverty from rising even higher, but many low -income families with medical expenses are considered too 'rich' to qualify. "If Congress and the states make further cuts, we can expect the number of poor and low-income families to rise for the next several years," said a public policy professor who specializes in poverty. -The Associ- ated Press, Dec. 15, 2011

The annual cost of child abuse in the U.S. is up to $585 billion, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That includes the costs of health care, child welfare and criminal justice. Abused children may suffer lifelong effects, including men- Northeast Region Year In Review Page 10

NORTHEAST REGION PROGRAM REPORTS ACCESS Florida: Responding To Families’ Urgent Needs

DCF’s ACCESS Florida program processes and distributes food stamp benefits and temporary cash assistance, in addition to processing Food stamp benefits Medicaid applications. average less than $1.50 per person per meal. Also, During the fiscal year, July 2011 through June 2012, some 654,126 food stamps serve the most people in the Northeast Region received economic assistance from DCF, vulnerable — 76 percent a 4 percent increase from the previous fiscal year and a 113 percent of SNAP households increase over the past five years. include a child, elderly person, or disabled THE GROWING NEED FOR ASSISTANCE person, and 85 percent have gross income at or Of Florida’s top nine counties for the highest child poverty rates, five below 100 percent of the of them are in the Northeast Region. poverty line. -Jacksonville.com, Northeast Region Counties With The Highest Percentage of May 10, 2012

Children Receiving Food Stamps\\\

Putnam County 47.5 % Taylor County 35.6 % More than 1 in 5 children Hamilton County 46.6 % Madison County 35.3 % in America are faced with

the prospect of hunger. Dixie County 36 % Suwannee County 34.5 %

-Fernandina Beach News Percentage of Children Receiving Food Stamps In The Region’s Most -Leader, May 9, 2012 Populated Counties The median amount of

Alachua County 27.7 % Duval County 31.6 % time it’s taking for Clay County 17.2 % Flagler County 26.2 % unemployed people to find Columbia County 33.6 % Volusia County 30.5 % new jobs is about 21 weeks. There just aren’t enough jobs to go around. Despite the dramatic increase in need, the Northeast Region One-third of Americans ACCESS program has responded with improved service. The would immediately fall Northeast Region contributed to Florida being ranked as one of the top behind on their bills if they two states in the country for the fourth year in a row for accurate lost a job and were left processing of food stamps. DCF’s hard-working ACCESS employees with no income. earned the state nearly $40 million in federal bonuses due to their -NBC News, Jan. 20, 2012 outstanding efforts. Ten years ago, one of 25 The region’s ACCESS program has developed 575 community people in Jacksonville was partnerships with local agencies, churches and community outreach on food stamps. That centers, where people can get help in applying for economic assistance. figure is now one in five. Statewide, this system saves Florida taxpayers up to $83 million dollars – The Florida Times- a year compared to the previous way of doing business. (continued) Union , Jan. 12, 2012 Page 11 Northeast Region Year In Review

ACCESS Florida: Responding To Families’ Urgent Needs (continued)

DCF has launched a new service for food stamp, Medicaid and Temporary Cash Assistance customers. The “My ACCESS Account” service allows customers to set up personal accounts to get important information about their cases. Once they sign up, people can use any computer with Internet access to see their current benefits, when benefits become available and more. Customers can sign up for this service and apply for assistance online at this website: myflorida.com/accessflorida Additionally, DCF offers a service to help customers get important information without having to speak to a DCF representative. Customers can call the Automated Response Unit, enter their case number and their Social Security number, to get the information they need. This includes checking their case status, getting detailed case information, verifying that DCF has received documents that they have submitted, and get information on recent case actions. The Automated Response Unit can be reached at 1-866-762-2237. Family Safety: Helping Children At Risk The Department continues to make significant progress in Boyfriends of mothers in helping ensure family safety. Our Child Protective Investigators (CPI’s) homes were responsible for 67 percent respond to reports of child abuse or neglect. During the 2011-2012 of reported cases of child fiscal year, investigators in the Northeast Region received 31,622 abuse abuse, according to reports. This was about the same number received in the previous year. nationwide research. -The Florida Times-Union,

In the Region, 98.6 percent of child abuse investigations were Apr. 19, 2012 launched within 24 hours of the first report of abuse. In child abuse cas- es, boyfriends of mothers in single parent homes were responsible for 67 Childhood abuse leads to percent of incidents, based on national research. permanent changes in the brain that can cause later depression and drug abuse One of the major family safety challenges that we face in the as adults. Other research Northeast Region is the increase in prescription drug abuse. A large has shown that abuse may number of child abuse and neglect cases in the Northeast Region shorten life expectancy by involved this issue. Our Child Protective Investigators are receiving as much as 20 years. more training on how to identify signs of substance abuse in families and -Bloomberg News Service,

Feb. 14, 2012 what local resources are available to help families with substance abuse issues. The annual cost of child abuse in the U.S. is up to The first priority of the Department of Children and Families is child $585 billion. The Centers safety. If a child is a victim of extreme abuse or is in danger, then we for Disease Control says would need to place him in our care for his own protection. But the vast that includes the costs of health care, child welfare majority of abuse reports do not rise to this level and numerous studies and criminal justice. have shown that children do better in their own homes than they would –Action News, WTEV in the care of relatives or in foster care. (continued) (CBS) and WAWS (Fox) Jacksonville, Aug. 2, 2012

The first priority of the Department of Children and Families is child safety. If a child is a victim of extreme abuse or is in danger in his home, we would first remove him for his own safety. (continued)

Page 12 Northeast Region Year In Review

Family Safety: Helping Children At Risk (continued)

As part of the our successful Foster Care Redesign effort, Nationally, one in three investigators are keeping more children in their own homes, with girls and one in six boys are services provided to ensure their safety. These include counseling, sexually abused. Some experts think those statistics parenting and anger management classes, help with budgeting and more. underestimate the problem. The graphs below show our progress. -The Florida Times-Union,

Child Removal Rate Per 1,000 Children In The August 11, 2012

Northeast Region

Later in life, sexually December 2006 5.83 abused children may suffer

June 2012 3.74 from drug addictions and

depression.

36 percent decline

-Action News, WTEV

Child Removal Rate Per 100 Abuse Reports Received In The (CBS) and WAWS (Fox) Northeast Region Jacksonville, July 31, 2012

December 2006 12.96

National reports suggest June 2012 7.56 that child abuse goes 43 unreported three times for 42 percent decline every report. We thank Casey Family Programs for its strong support of the Foster -The Gainesville Sun, Care Redesign pilot programs in Duval and Alachua counties. Nov. 18, 2011 The Region is working to further improve Child Protective Investigations. These are our goals: - Investigators spending more time in the field and less time in offices - Standardizing procedures in investigations - Better technology to make more informed decisions in the field

Adult Protective Services: Investigating Abuse, Helping The Disabled Florida has the second largest elderly population in America.

The senior population is Adult Protective Investigators in the Northeast Region expected to double in 20 responded to more than 4,800 reports of abuse, neglect and years, increasing the financial exploitation during the 2011-2012 fiscal year. The county with challenge of limited the biggest increase in the number of abuse reports was Dixie County, resources, grandmothers which had a 48 percent increase compared to the previous fiscal year. raising grandchildren, isolation and related Investigators saw more than 94 percent of victims within 24 hours of mental health problems. abuse being reported. (continued) -The Florida Times-Union, Feb. 29, 2012

Most of the victims that our investigators see have the mental capacity As the population ages to decide whether they want to accept or reject assistance. If they say and more seniors no, then we are not able to require them to accept assistance, per state move into Florida, laws. officials predict the number of elder ex- About half of the cases that we see involve a person who has neglected ploitation cases likely themselves. will grow. -The In 90 percent of adult abuse cases, the offender is a family member of a Gainesville Sun, April 8, 2012 Northeast Region Year In Review Page 13

Adult Protective Services (continued)

Experts estimate that for every incident of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation that is reported, anywhere from five to fourteen other inci- dents are not reported. As the population ages and more seniors move Most of the victims that our investigators see have the mental capacity into Florida, officials pre- dict the number of elder to decide whether they want to accept or reject assistance. If they say no, exploitation cases likely then we are not able to require them to accept assistance, per state laws. will grow. -The Gainesville Sun, About half of the cases that our investigators see involve a person who Apr. 8, 2012 has neglected themselves. Florida has the ninth In 90 percent of adult abuse cases, the offender is a family member of highest percentage of all a victim who is financially dependent on them. The most common states of people aged 60 and older who are going perpetrators of elder abuse are spouses. hungry. The state’s percentage is 16.64 The number of adults in the Northeast Region who were served by percent. Nationally, the Adult Protective Services programs, that helped them avoid placement in number of seniors who a nursing home or institution, increased by 69 percent compared to the face the threat of hunger previous fiscal year. These programs include Home Care for Disabled has increased by 78 Adults, the Aged and Disabled Adults Medicaid Waiver Program, and percent since 2001. -The Florida Times- more. Union, June 25, 2012

Substance Abuse and Mental Health: Advancing Family Recovery

This DCF program provides services to families and individuals who More than 54 million have mental health or substance abuse issues to help them achieve well Americans are affected by mental illness each year, being, safety and self‐sufficiency. and approximately two-thirds of these people During the 2011-2012 fiscal year, 14,954 adults and 4,817 children do not seek treatment due in the Northeast Region were served by substance abuse treatment to stigma or a lack of available care. providers funded through DCF. Additionally, DCF funding enabled -The Gainesville Sun,

more than 28,873 adults and 13,468 children to participate in a variety of May 7, 2012 community based mental health services, including short term in-patient care, psychiatric care and intensive case management. Deaths and addiction due to prescription drugs have increased more than 400 Prescription drugs are involved in more than 50 percent of law percent over the past 11 enforcement investigations, according to the Daytona Beach News- years," said United Way for Journal. Police found nearly twice as many meth labs in Volusia County Volusia-Flagler compared to the previous year. In Jacksonville, meth lab seizures have counties president Ray Salazar. increased by 83 percent over the past year. (continued) -Daytona Beach News- Journal, Feb. 29, 2012

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Also, what information do you think we should have in the report about the new Managing Entity? The Northeast Region along with C5 transitioned to a Managing Entity on July 1, 2012. Lutheran Services or Florida was awarded the contract.

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Finally, what would you say are the two biggest achievements dur- One in eight Jackson- ing this fiscal year in your program area? John, not sure how to ville high school stu- answer this. We received major cuts to staff at the beginning of dents have attempted last FY in preparation for the ME. This included contract staff as suicide. At a commu- nity forum, some well as program staff. We were supposed to transition last FY but teenagers spoke due to the court case that ensued we were postponed for the ma- about the lack of jority of the year. Our goal for last FY was just to manage the best mental health profes- we could with very few staff. It was a struggle but we survived sionals in their and managed to pay our providers and maintain the System of schools and not feel- ing confident they are Care. That being said we did not embark on any major program loved by their fami- changes or projects. lies.- The Florida Times-Union, August In Substance Abuse and Mental Health, the Legislature provided almost 8, 2012 all of the Governor’s requested funding to maintain services in these The state Department critical areas. Additionally, legislators are supporting the Substance of Children and Fam- Abuse and Managing Entity concept, which has been implemented in the ilies estimates that 50 Northeast Region. These Managing Entities oversee the operation of percent of children local substance abuse and mental health services and will significantly and 40 percent of adults in Florida improve the accountability and efficiency of these programs. households below the poverty level need LSFnet.org Lutheran Services Of Florida mental health ser- vices, but do not re- ceive them. -Daytona Beach News-Journal, Feb- ruary 15, 2012 Meth lab seizures in the Jacksonville area have increased by 83 percent over the past year.- The Florida Times-Union, Febru- ary 23, 2012 Florida is 49th per capita in funding to support mental health resources, while Northeast Florida counties receive the least amount of fund- ing per capita in the state. -The Florida Times- Union, February 29, 2012 =====

The number of area children removed from their homes for abuse or neglect has jumped. The reason for the rise -- more parents abusing pre- scription drugs, child Page 14 Northeast Region Year In Review

Substance Abuse and Mental Health (continued)

Regarding the need for mental health services, one in eight The state Department of Jacksonville high school students have attempted suicide. According to Children and Families The Florida Times-Union, some teenagers say that there is a lack of estimates that 50 percent mental health professionals in their schools. of children and 40 percent of adults in Florida To improve the efficiency and accountability of substance abuse and households below the mental health services, legislators supported the Managing Entity poverty level need mental concept, which was implemented in the Northeast Region on July 1, health services, but do not 2012. A Managing Entity oversees the operation of local substance receive them. abuse and mental health services. This change will lead to improved -Daytona Beach News- supervision of the contracts that taxpayers pay for. Journal, Feb. 15, 2012

The new Managing Entity has the ability to better manage these contracts with additional resources, while the local DCF Substance Florida is 49th per capita Abuse and Mental Health program office will be able to focus on better in funding to support mental health resources, performance of the system of care. DCF’s Substance Abuse and while Northeast Florida Mental Health programs throughout the state are switching to this counties receive the least structure, which has already been in place for several years in the Tam- amount of funding per pa Bay area. capita in the state. -The Florida Times- The Northeast Region transitioned to a managing entity structure on Union, Feb. 29, 2012 July 1, 2012. Lutheran Services of Florida was awarded the contract.

For more information, see their website at lsfnet.org.

Child Care Licensing: Helping Keep Thousands of Children Safe

DCF’s Child Care Licensing program licenses and inspects 1,630 child care centers and family day care homes in the Northeast Region. The cost of child care These facilities have as many as 97,860 children in their care. During increased twice as fast as the 2011-2012 fiscal year, DCF inspected these facilities more than the median income of 4,000 times and investigated 453 complaints. A total of 333 fines were families with children levied for various violations. from 2000 to 2009, according to the National In Jacksonville, DCF has established a media partnership with Association of Child Care Action News. Each week on both CBS 47 and Fox 30, Action News Resource and Referral anchor Mark Spain airs Kid Care reports based on the Department’s Agencies. inspections of child care facilities. - The Florida Times- Union, Apr. 17, 2011 DCF inspection reports of child care facilities can be viewed online at www.myflfamilies.com. Once there, click on “Services and Programs,” then click on “Child Care,” then click on “Child Care Main Page,” and finally “Provider Search.”

Northeast Region Year In Review Page 15 Northeast Region Budget and Contract Spending, 2012-2013 Fiscal Year Total Region Administrative/Operational Budget: $71,697,432 (5.2 percent reduction) Budget For Contracted Services To Community Providers- Family Safety: $686,400 (29.9 percent decrease) Community Based Care: $118,956.827 (.42 percent increase) Economic Services: $400,000 (Not applicable*) Adult Services: $271,753 (even with previous year)

Substance Abuse: $29,017,285 (3.8 percent increase) Mental Health: $41,752,738 (2.2 percent increase) (*Not comparable with previous year, due to funding changes; DCF funding for homeless services is now handled separately through the Department’s Tallahassee office.) Example Of DCF Efficiency: Because fewer people are using our service centers and more of our employees are telecommuting, we significantly reduced office space in the Northeast Region, saving taxpayers more than $1.3 million dollars over the past two years. Community-Based Care: A Partnership To Ensure Children’s Well-Being DCF works with our community-based care (CBC) partners in the Northeast Region to handle adoptions, foster care and family preservation services. During the 2011-2012 fiscal year, our region’s CBC partners were responsible for 720 adoptions of children from foster care. Additionally, the CBC’s visited nearly 100 percent of the children in their care on a monthly basis.

Here is more information on our partner agencies.

CEO: Lee Kaywork Website: www.fssjax.org

CEO: Irene Toto Website: www.kidsfirstofflorida.org

Program Manager: Alison McMorrow Website: www.sjcfl.us/FIP/index.aspx

CEO: Shawn Salamida CEO: Mark Jones Website: www.pfsf.org Website: www.communitypartnershipforchildren.org Page 16 Northeast Region Year In Review

Contact Information

Florida Department of Children and Families 5920 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville, FL 32211 Phone: 904-723-2000 Fax: 904-723-5389 myflfamilies.com

Client Relations Contacts The Client Relations team works to resolve customer service issues in a timely, fair and courteous manner to achieve the highest level of satisfaction from our customers. They handle contacts from citizens who are receiving services from the Department or from those who wish to receive services. Circuits 3 & 8 (Gainesville and North Central Florida, including Macclenny, Lake City and Live Oak) 352-955-5016 or 800-342-9004

Circuit 4: (Duval, Nassau and Clay counties) 904-723-2148 or 904-723-2149 Circuit 7: (Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties) 386-238-4910 or 866-232-3678

More Contact Information & Resources To report abuse or neglect of children, the elderly or vulnerable adults: 1-800-96-ABUSE To find out more about : 1-800-96-ADOPT Adoption website, with information on adoption, photos of children waiting to be placed in homes: www.adoptflorida.org More information on foster care and how to become a foster parent: www.fosteringflorida.com

Where to apply for Food Stamps, Medicaid and Temporary Cash Assistance online: myflorida.com/accessflorida People who are already receiving food stamps can contact the North Florida Customer Call Center: 1-866-76-ACCESS (1-866-762-2237)

The most convenient way for food stamp, Medicaid and Temporary Cash Assistance customers to get help is to set up a “My ACCESS Account.” This service allows customers to set up personal accounts to get important information on their cases. Once they sign up, people can use any computer with Internet access to view their current benefits, see when benefits become available and more. Customers can sign up and apply for food stamps online at myflorida.com/accessflorida

Additionally, DCF offers a service to enable customers to get important information without having to speak to a person. They can call the Automated Response Unit, put in their case number, their Social Security number, and get the information they need, including checking their case status, getting detailed case information, verify that DCF has received documents that they have submitted, and get information on recent case actions. The Automated Response Unit can be reached at 1-866-762-2237.

How You Or Your Business Can Help Children Or Families In

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