The Governor's Corner by Governor Rick Scott
 Thanks to the hard work of our public servants, Floridians are experiencing the excitement of a major economic turnaround. Our unemployment rate is below the national average and our housing market is on the upswing. Every day we are working together to continue Florida’s success. Some of our recent efforts include unveiling the Teacher Supply Debit Card which will provide our hard working teachers with an average of $250 to help them buy supplies for their classrooms. This card will allow teachers to buy supplies tax free all year long without reaching into their own pockets.
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Florida also continues to experience significant job gains, with more than 333,000 private sector jobs created in the last two years. All across the state, families are getting jobs, teachers are being rewarded, and students who will soon enter Florida’s workforce are receiving the training they need to succeed. It’s working in Florida, but we aren't letting up. With the help of our public servants, we are committed to being the number one state for job creation, the number one state to get a great education, and the best place for families to live their version of the American Dream.
Top News
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Interim Secretary Esther Jacobo Hits the Ground Running
On July 18, Governor Rick Scott named Esther Jacobo as Interim Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Just five days later on July 23, Interim Secretary Jacobo hosted a Child Safety “Reset” webinar from Tallahassee where she set the tone for the agency under her administration.
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In her address to more than 1,000 in-person and online attendees, Secretary Jacobo stated that, with regard to DCF’s response to the recent child deaths, “It is not about numbers, it will never be about the numbers.” She added, “These are complex families and complex situations that require deliberate, sophisticated analysis.” The Secretary discussed the importance of taking a unified and community approach to keeping our children safe. Click here to see the video.
Since her appointment, Interim Secretary Jacobo has sent out several communications to staff and our foster parents. Click here to see her messages to staff. To see her message to foster parents, click here.
The Affordable Care Act Brings Changes to DCF
Federal Health Care legislation, known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), became federal law in March 2010. With its passage, many changes were made to existing Medicaid and health insurance regulations. More changes are coming, including the way DCF serves and advises customers. The federal government opened a call center on July 1, 2013, to answer questions about the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM). The FFM (also referred to as the Health Insurance Marketplace) is where citizens can shop for and compare health plans. They may also find out if they are eligible for lower costs on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
To ensure DCF staff has information to assist customers, the ACCESS team began sending out materials in July about the ACA and changes it will bring to Medicaid and CHIP eligibility determination. Formal training on policies and procedures will begin in mid-September. Until that time, information will be posted on the ACCESS ACA Implementation intranet site to help staff understand the changes ahead and prepare them to answer questions. Additionally, DCF has begun modifying the ACCESS FLORIDA system to comply with the federally required provisions of the ACA. For more information, visit http://eww.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/aca/.
Camp Season Heats Up in July
July was jam-packed with new experiences and fun for children in foster care around the state. Following are some brief recaps of a few of the Camps for Champions events last month. Many thanks go to our camp celebrities, CBC partners, Partners for Promise supporters, volunteers and other community partners for making the camps such a hit. A photo gallery featuring events at many of the camps is on the Camps for Champions DCF Facebook page.
• Camp Land and Sea, July 1-2 in Sarasota: Eighteen foster youth had a wonderful time at this camp. The Sarasota YMCA provided transportation, camp counselors, a kayaking excursion, and swimming at their water park on the first day of camp. On day two, Mote Marine sponsored a morning for the campers to go to the Aquarium, where they learned all about marine life. The Sarasota Sailing Squadron provided a cookout for lunch, sailing lessons, and the opportunity to sail on a 35-foot sail boat for all of the kids. Special thanks to the DCF volunteers that assisted with planning and running the camp: Kim Findley, Mike Day, Robin Jensen, Jasmen Rogers, Brie Southall, April May, and Kristin Allain.
• Aviation-Based STEM Camp, July 7-12 -in Pensacola: Thanks to the generosity of AT&T, teens in foster care enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the National Flight Academy’s Ambition Aviation in Residence (AIR) program at Naval Air Station Pensacola. On board Ambition’s state-of-the-art facility, campers experienced an exciting aviation-based educational experience and worked together to successfully carry out an assigned mission. The program is designed to enhance abilities in critical thinking, science, technology and mathematics and critical life skills such as teamwork, problem solving and communication. Footage of the event is available on our YouTube Channel.
• Myron Rolle Camp, July 25-29 in Starke: DCF and Myron Rolle's foundation selected 80 youth, ages 12-17 from across the state to attend the Wellness and Leadership Academy where they were met by special guests, including host Myron L. Rolle, former NFL player, FSU star athlete, Rhodes Scholar and philanthropist, along with University of Connecticut’s former star center Rebecca Lobo, who is now a mother and ESPN analyst, Representative Clovis Watson, Jr. who is a proud father of five, as well as former law enforcement officer, and seven-time Olympic Medalist Amanda Beard and Derrick Stephens, a young man who spent much of his life in the foster care system. The camp focused on building and encouraging the dreams of foster youth through education, hard work, and an appreciation for developing a healthy mind and body.
Other camps held in July include:
- Camp Harmony in the Streets, July 15-19 and 22-26 in Fort Myers
- Art Camp, July 17-19 in Pensacola
- Corey’s Kids Camp, July 25-28 in Tallahassee
- Camp Blue Print to Success, July 29-8/2 in Live Oak
For more information on DCF’s Camps for Champions, visit www.campsforchampions.com.
 Florida Retail Federation Partners with DCF to Host First-Ever “Camp Take the Lead”
After a year of planning and coordination, the Florida Retail Federation, together with DCF, Eckerd Community Alternatives and Catch Your Limit Consulting, gave teens in foster care a one-of-a-kind leadership experience that also exposed them to career possibilities in retail.
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The five-day camp, called Camp Take the Lead, led campers through a journey of self-discovery teaching them about confidence, leadership, integrity and teamwork. In addition to meeting and hearing from some of Florida’s retail leaders, campers also enjoyed behind-the-scenes tours at Home Shopping Network, Target and Busch Gardens. The final day of the camp featured a recognition ceremony where campers earned their certificate of completion, and then were treated to an afternoon of play at Busch Gardens. Many thanks go to the individuals and organizations who helped make this camp possible. The Florida Retail Federation has indicated they want to do more camps like this with DCF in the future. Look for a camp coming to a city near you!
DCF Partners with All Pro Dad for Family-Focused Camps
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From left to right: Greg Schiano, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach, Johana Hatcher, DCF, Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers player, Shelton Quarles, former linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
The Suncoast Region participated in an “All Pro Dad” Father & Kids National Football League Experience at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers field in Tampa. National and local nonprofits teamed up for the event in which youngsters had an opportunity to bond with their fathers, mentors and other role models through a series of interactive football drills and other activities. Over 1,500 individuals attended this sold-out event. Heartland for Children, Eckerd Community Alternatives and Kid Care were also in attendance, staffing the interactive activities located in the Fun Zone. Participants also learned about fostering, adopting and partnering with the agency at the local level. The Jumbotron played a continuous feed of Heart Gallery pictures submitted by Heartland for Children, Eckerd Community Alternatives, Kids Central, Inc. and Community Based Care of Central Florida. Check out the video.
In Jacksonville, the Northwest Region participated in another “All Pro Dad” football event. Participants learned about fostering, adopting and partnering with the agency at the local level while attending this highly interactive event designed to engage fathers with their children. The event at Bolles High School in Jacksonville, featured Russell Allen, linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Lonnie Marts, Jaguar alumni and founder of “Leveling the Playing Field”, a mentoring program for at-risk youth. Guardian ad litem, DCF and Family Support Services staff assisted at the event.
State Mental Hospital Awarded Three-Year Re-Accreditation
North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center (NFETC) received a three-year re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). CARF reviewers pointed out exemplary performance in NFETC's practice of collection of data and statistics in various areas and using that data to guide the organization toward continuous quality improvement. Other strengths noted in the survey included financial solvency, a dedicated and long-tenured staff who provide visionary leadership, excellent statistical planning and quality improvement at every level of the organization, a high focus on safety for residents, staff and visitors, a comprehensive and aggressive infection-control program, an excellent resident grievance procedure and comprehensive staff training programs. Congratulations NFETC staff and leadership on this achievement!
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Celebrated in Melbourne
On June 28, API Supervisor Theresa Russell in Circuit 18 organized a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Community Fair in Melbourne. She has been putting on this event for the past four years, and it has gotten bigger and better each year. This year, Theresa joined forces with Aging Matters in Brevard. |
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They had 51 vendors participating, a free breakfast, numerous educational seminars, a live band, raffles, and a flash mob that was conducted by local seniors (no, not high school seniors). Great job done by Theresa and all the APS staff that participated in this event! (pictured above Circuit
18 Adult Protective Services staff)
Florida State Hospital Hosts 4th of July Luau for Residents
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L-R: Sarah Fairbanks, Kimberly Long, Constance Wilson, Greg Green, Sandy Tyus, Norman Rabon - all staff of Florida State Hospital Rehab Services, with the pig roast display. |
The residents at Florida State Hospital were treated to Independence Day Celebrations Hawaiian-style this year. Parties were held for civil and forensic committed residents. Staff dressed to impress, with grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts, and each resident received a Hawaiian lei or a tie-dyed T-shirt. Games included fishing for leis, pineapple and coconut bowling, musical coconut, hula hoops, and limbo, with game prizes awarded. Everyone had an opportunity to have a picture made at the “Pics At The Beach” photo booth. The residents enjoyed the party so much they are already looking forward to next year’s party! “Aloha.”
New Chief of Staff Announced
Jane Johnson is DCF’s new Chief of Staff. Jane joins the Secretary’s office after serving as the Child Abuse Prevention Coordinator. She previously served as policy coordinator in the Governor’s Office, Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and various top positions in non-profit agencies in Florida.
Staff Changes Made in Economic Self-Sufficiency Program Office
Several staff changes were announced in the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS) Program Office. Lawayne Salter has been appointed ESS Deputy Director. Filling his previous position as Bureau Chief of Program Policy is Dianna Laffey who comes to us from the Policy Manager position in the SunCoast Region. William Martinez has accepted a new position as Technical Lead on the Medicaid Eligibility System Team with Information Technology. Lynn Rossow will manage the Data Unit and serve as program office IT liaison. Contract/Agreements, Community Partner Liaison coordination, and the Customer Information Support Services unit will now fall under the authority of the Deputy Director.
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