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Franklin County residents wait in line to receive food from Farm Share. Food was given to nearly 350 households.
Gov. Rick Scott, Sen. Bill Montford, DCF Secretary David Wilkins, DEO Executive Director Hunting Deutsch, Franklin County Commissioner Pinki Jackel, members of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board and many other local officials and organizations came together to give food, medical help, job assistance and benefits to the people affected by the decline of oysters and other fisheries.
DCF staff were on site to help residents sign up for benefits. We’ve held resource fairs, trained volunteers and hired extra help to make sure residents get the help they so desperately need. The next resource fair will be held on Oct. 12.
A photo album of the event is on our Facebook page, videos are available on YouTube and be sure to check out the DCF blog for even more details.
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A new law providing better protection for children across Florida went into effect Oct. 1. The legislation, signed by Gov. Rick Scott earlier this year, requires any individual who suspects that a child has been abused by any person to report that to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
To manage the increase in call volume, 47 additional Hotline positions were funded by the Legislature. In addition, in November 2012, the Hotline will be transitioning to the Hotline Command Center. The technology changes to support the future command center are currently being tested and the training schedule is currently under development. Intake counselors and Command Center Counselors will be trained on enhancements to FSFN, telephone upgrades and workforce management system and environment updates. As part of the Hotline Transformation, a new and improved online web reporting for professional mandatory reporters has also been developed.
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Through efficient space utilization last year, the amount of office space used by DCF was reduced by 165,714 square feet. This resulted in a savings of more than $2.8 million. Thank you to our General Services staff for their diligent work!
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Foster Parent Recruitment Efforts Paying Off
Fostering family at Fostering Florida's Future kick-off press conference in Tallahassee
Three months ago, DCF, along with our community-based care (CBC) agencies and the Florida State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association, launched a foster parent recruitment initiative to recruit 1,200 new quality foster parents over the next year. Since its launch, the Fostering Florida's Future initiative has seen almost 300 families sign up to become foster parents. A number of press conferences have been held around the state to raise awareness of the recruitment campaign. The next press conference is scheduled for Oct. 30 in Miami. For more information about Fostering Florida's Future, please visit the website at www.fosteringflorida.com.
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Investigators Get New DCF Shirts
On Oct. 1, child protection investigative staff officially began wearing new shirts as part of their overall professional appearance when conducting DCF business. Employees in investigative positions were provided five shirts. There were a range of options for employees to select from, including a combination of short-sleeve polo style shirts and long-sleeve button down shirts. In order to roll out this initiative, many circuits have held shirt parties to build excitement about the new attire, as well as celebrate the great work our investigative staff continue to do each day.
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Foster teen receiving one of his last treatments for removal of tattoos from his face.
In August, a teen in foster care completed final treatments for the removal of a gang-related tattoo branded on his face. This treatment will close an old chapter and open a new one for this smart, wonderful young man. With the removal of these tattoos, donated by the Winter Park Laser and Anti-Aging Center, he is in a better position to follow his dream to pursue a career working with children involved in the juvenile justice system. DCF’s partnership with Winter Park Laser and Anti-Aging Center is the first of its kind and will help transform the life of this foster teen. Additional thanks also go to the foster youth’s Guardian ad Litem and DCF's Central Region for their commitment to making this happen.
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More than 550 state and community leaders, students and advocates attended or watched online the first Florida Children and Youth Cabinet Human Trafficking Summit to learn about trafficking in Florida, what the state is doing to prevent it and what people can do to help victims in their communities. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters joined Secretary Wilkins at the Summit, held in partnership with the Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights. Attorney General Bondi recently launched a new webpage to raise awareness on human trafficking.
For more information about the summit and to view the webcast, go to the Children and Youth Cabinet website.
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Jesse Sunday and Dixie, 2nd from left in blue uniform
Two security officers from Florida State Hospital and their canine partners received scholarships to attend the 6th Annual Blood Hound Scent Tracking Seminar for advanced/specialized training at the Florida Public Safety Institute in September. Richard Carr, Institutional Security Specialist II, with K-9 Kalijah, and Jessie Sunday, Institutional Security Specialist I, with K-9 Dixie, attended the training to keep their tracking skills sharp. As part of the seminar, they took part in the Missing Children’s Day Celebration hosted by Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
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The first presentation of the Legal Lessons program with Judge Gooding (seated at right).
Family Support Services of North Florida (CBC for Duval and Nassau counties) and Circuit Judge David Gooding partnered to host Legal Lessons: Dependency Court and You, a monthly educational series for Jacksonville area legal professionals affiliated with dependency court. The inaugural program provided a legislative update and addressed the new Protection of Vulnerable Persons bill, changes to the definition of abandonment and to adoption law, as well as changes within DCF, including the child protection transformation project.
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L-R Jeanna Olson, Tanya Wilkins, Vicki Abrams from DCF; Jenna and Mike Davis from Centennial Bank, with one of the donated computers.
Centennial Bank partnered with DCF and Big Bend CBC to donate 37 personal computers to local foster children and foster families. The donated computers will give children in foster care a better chance for educational success and help them interact with friends and family. For the past two years, Centennial Bank has also been a leading sponsor of Corey’s Kids Camp for Champions. This partnership is a great example of how businesses throughout Florida can make a difference in their communities. To see more Partners for Promise success stories, visit the website at www.flpartnersforpromise.com.
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Staff and residents dance in the streets at Florida State Hospital.
Florida State Hospital residents and staff celebrated Labor Day with their annual “Street Dance and Boiled Peanuts” event. This year, they held the largest Electric Slide performance in Chattahoochee history. More than 200 residents joined numerous staff, including Hospital Administrator Marguerita Morgan and Assistant Administrator Jim McKnight, in sliding up and down Holly Drive on the Hospital campus. A grand time was had by all!
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Dramatic presentation by foster teens at the “Just Like Me!” exhibition.
Teens recently demonstrated theatrical presentations of dance, video, music and visual arts at the Exhibition of Talent. The exhibition is the culmination of the Family Support Services of North Florida “Just Like Me!” Cultural Arts and Education Experience, a unique three-week summer camp that focuses on music, dance, painting, writing and photography. Lessons at the camp included learning brainstorming skills, how to be supportive of each other, and identifying and stopping bullying.
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• The Partnership for Strong Families in the Northeast Region placed first on the CBC Scorecard for August 2012. Congratulations!
• Family Support Services of North Florida is partnering with the David Garrard Foundation to treat 100 young foster children and foster parents to the Wild Reading Safari at the Jacksonville Zoo in November.
• Florida State Hospital staff collected more than 250 school supply items, as well as more than $500 cash, donated to Sneads Elementary School for students in need.
• In October, Family Support Services of North Florida’s Heart Gallery will be displayed at the Southern Women’s Show at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville.
• The Families First Network of Lakeview (CBC) is collecting new, unworn pajamas for children under their supervision for a campaign, “Tucking Kids in Safe and Sound” pajama drive.
Former DCF Case Manager Writes Novel, Gives Voice to Child Abuse
Aimee McPartlan, a former case manager with DCF, recently published a novel titled, “Don’t You Cry.” The book gives a voice to the untold story of child abuse and to those who dedicate their lives to working with abused children and their families. In the book, social worker Amber Walker attempts to guide two boys onto a new path of hope and healing, but faces many obstacles along the way. McPartlan writes from familiarity, having been fostered and adopted herself, and later pursuing a career in helping families. She is now working on the second in the series, “Don’t You Tell.”
APS Counselor Helps Woman Stay in Her Home
Thanks to the dedication and caring of Circuit 15 Adult Protective Services Counselor Carmen Wilkins, a 77-year-old woman who suffered from hoarding behavior for many years will remain safely in her home. The client, known as Lisa, had refused all help, but APS Wilkins would not give up. After many visits and through a concerted effort by APS, the Volen Center, Boca Raton police and code enforcement, animal care officials and Lisa’s caring family, Lisa was able to make the changes she needed to remain in her home and free of hazards.
APS Counselors Help Elderly Couple Stay Together
Central Region’s Pam Buelle and Michael Dalton recently went to great lengths to assist a terminally ill elderly woman and her husband to remain together during a very difficult time. The couple lost all emergency medical items needed for her to remain at home when she was discharged from hospice services. Pam and Michael immediately opened an Adult Protective Services case and were able to obtain in-home services, providing all the necessary supports to allow her to remain in her home with her husband.
Northeast Florida State Hospital Recognizes Quality
Northeast Florida State Hospital held its annual Continuous Quality Improvement EXPO, showcasing 10 projects. Awards were presented in:
• Problem Solving to Tan Pham, Pharmacy Director
• Innovation to Gary Wellhausen, Facility Management
• Best Poster Appearance to Donna Jesseman, Programming Services
• Best First Year Project to Pamela Wiggins, Quality Improvement
If you are a state employee or retiree, don't forget that Open Enrollment began Oct. 8 and ends Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. This is an annual time that state employees and retires can change benefit elections. Visit People First to make changes online, or call (877) 562-7287.
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We want to know what you think about this newsletter. Please send your comments and suggestions to: dcfvision@dcf.state.fl.us
Tell us your news! Send your submissions for consideration to Newsletter Editor Cindy Bull in Executive Communications. cindy_bull@dcf.state.fl.us
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