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IL Implementation - Extends Foster Care
Probably one of the most significant and exciting changes to come to the foster care system has been made possible through the Nancy C. Detert Common Sense and Compassion Independent Living Act, also known as Senate Bill 1036, which was signed into law on June 24th. Here in Orlando, we were fortunate to host Governor Rick Scott, foster youth, and partner agencies for the ceremonial bill signing at Valencia Community College. This particular expansion to foster care, actually allows youth who turn 18 while in care, the opportunity to elect to remain in foster care as they continue to obtain their educational goals, similar to those young adults living at home with their parents. Understandably, along with change, come questions and sometimes concern, but our partners in Community Based Care continue to do an excellent job preparing our teens and young adults about the new program and how it impacts them.. The new model has several branches designed to better promote education, so that they may complete their educational goals – be that of a high school diploma, trade, community college, under grad or even post graduate. In this new structure, caregivers have a greater role helping a young person achieve their independence – similar to the role of a biological parent. The success of extended foster care does not come without a tremendous amount of hard work and collaboration among agencies within child protection and those sister agencies including the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the Agency for Health Care Administration to ensure that any potential gaps for these youth are identified and resolved. To learn more about extended foster care click on the link below.
http://centervideo.forest.usf.edu/qpi/iltraining/iltraining.html
 Governer Rick Scott signs new legislation on Extended Foster Care.
New Home, New Hope for Child Sex Trafficking Survivors
DCF and the Center for Drug Free Living Announce Contract to Provide Additional Housing for Survivors
In September, the Department of Children and Families, along with the Center for Drug-Free Living, Inc. (CFDFL) announced a new partnership, aimed to provide additional housing as well as treatment for child-sex trafficking survivors. The new $300,000 contract came in response to the 2013 Legislative Session, under the leadership and vision of Senator Alan Hayes. The award appropriates funds to specifically serve the needs of a very special population. In response to the growing epidemic of child sex trafficking in the Central Florida area, this new partnership will better ensure youth receive specialized recovery services in a safe and supportive environment. The program will address physical and emotional wounds as well as the lasting effects associated by sexual trauma in a safe and secure environment.
The partnership is a natural fit says Babette Hankey, COO of CFDFL: “The human trafficking of a child is the most severe form of child abuse. Our goal is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where youth can recover from the physical, psychological and emotional wounds they have suffered. Working with DCF we are able to provide a comprehensive array of services to help these youth heal.”
National statistics rank Florida as the third highest trafficking destination in the country.
National statistics rank Florida as the third highest trafficking destination in the country.
- In 2012, there were 134 allegations of Human Trafficking received in the Central Florida area.
- From January to June of 2013, there have already been 98 allegations of human trafficking received with Orange County receiving more than any other county for both reporting periods in Central Florida.
Combating these atrocities to Central Florida children is a top priority for DCF as well as our community partners. "It is frightening to acknowledge that children are being recruited into the child sex industry from schools and communities across the state of Florida, but in fact they are. That is why this new partnership with the Center for Drug-Free Living is not only necessary, but invaluable to the Central Florida Community," says Bill D'Aiuto DCF's Regional Director.
 Senator Alan Hayes, who sponsored the monetary award in the 2013 Legeslative Session.
Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS) Director, Sharron Washington represented the Central Region at the 33rd Annual National Association for Program Information and Performance Measurement (NAPIPM) which was held August 18-21 in San Diego, California. Ms. Washington co- presented with ESS Statewide Director, Jeri Flora, on the agency’s success including the Central Region's pilot experience with the Customer Authentication Project which launched earlier in the year. The pilot, which included select Central Florida counties, is aimed to better deter fraud within the public assistance application program. Together with partner Lexis Nexus – clients now must successfully respond to a series of security questions that only the applicant may know, similar to those security structures already in place in the private sector. The theme of this year’s conference was: "Riding the Tides of Change,” a true fit as the Access team is not only focused on better fraud detection and prevention efforts, but is also gearing up for major changes related to the Affordable Care Act. When it comes to Family Medicaid eligibility. In light of Ms. Washington and Ms. Flora’s presentation, the states of California, Texas, Arizona, and Colorado, all requested additional information on the Central Region’s Customer Authentication Project.
Transition to New Card Vendor for Public Assistance, A Success!Translates to Millions in Savings, as well as Better Fraud Detection Support
In September, DCF and FIS/e-Funds successfully completed the EBT (Electronic Benefit Transaction) vendor transition, with the promise that this new partnership will save the state $21 million over the next three years.
“We are always looking for ways to increase efficiencies at DCF and save taxpayer dollars,” DCF Interim Secretary Esther Jacobo said. “FIS/eFunds will provide our SNAP recipients with exceptional services at a lower cost to the state. They have been an extraordinary partner during this transition effort.”
“This transition, the largest EBT conversion in FIS Government Solutions’ history and one of the largest in the history of the FNS SNAP Program in the US, was made possible due to the strong partnership that exists between our experienced team and the professionals within DCF,” according to Ram Chary, FIS EVP Global Commercial Services. “FIS has a 100 percent on-time and successful conversion track record that has ensured continuity of benefits to the citizens of the state of Florida. The addition of our innovative Fraud Central Suite is expected to prevent misuse of millions in government benefits, further improving program integrity.”
DCF and FIS/eFunds began working on the transition in July. Just prior to the change, benefits were released early to SNAP recipients, giving EBT users the ability to buy groceries in advance of the delay in services.
At midnight on Monday September 16, EBT merchants stopped accepting benefits as the final phase of the transition to the new vendor began. With the transition complete, SNAP recipients can continue to use EBT cards. No action is required on the behalf of recipients.
Davis Productivity
Each year, the Prudential-Davis Productivity Awards are announced giving proper credit to state employees in Florida. Not only are these accolades meant to reward, but they also acknowledge the efforts of state employees and teams who find better efficiencies and results for Floridians. Here in Central Region, 35 of our team members were named Davis Productivity Award winners including ACCESS Operations who were honored for their implementation of the Central Region Virtual Intake Unit. The Virtual Intake Unit, better known as the VIU, was created to regionalize the intake interview portion of the eligibility process by establishing one point of contact for intake interviews in an effort to gain efficiencies and improve the experience for customers.
Other teams were awarded for implementations including: the Escalation Unit, the Central Region Roll-Out Plan, Team Virtual and the Expanded Round Robin Process. All of these teams worked diligently to save money for the state of Florida and make processes more efficient. Congratulations to all!
Leadership Academy
With the recent graduation of the inaugural Central Region Leadership Academy having just past, applications for the second class were quick to come in. 50 applications from various up and coming leaders within our team were submitted this year. With the success of the first class on the books, this year’s proves to be even better than the first. The Leadership Program, a special project in place by Director Bill D’Aiuto, is managed by Tina Morgan. The success of the program for participants in part is that it pairs rising stars side by side with the Region's executive leadership team who serve as a mentor to them as they continue to develop into future leaders. The experience is the real-deal, with participants invited to sit in on meetings, weigh in on discussions, ask questions and take on projects as a leadership academy. Please join me in congratulating the new 2013 Leadership Academy members: Sheri Peterson, Robert Roy, Raquel Ramos, Robert Redding, Roseanna Powers, Shirley Johnson, Carmen Montas, Gretchen Perry, Kara Pappalardo, and Aimee Dean.
 2013 Leadership Academy
Outstanding Customer Service
It is with great pleasure to acknowledge one of our team members who went above and beyond to help ensure that a customer was able to receive much needed medical assistance. Ms. Joanne Jones located in our Wildwood office worked diligently with a customer to ensure that he was switched to a medical program that allowed him to receive recommended medical treatments and medication. In response the Region received a wonderful letter from the customer who commended a team member for a job well done. The letter read “Mrs. Joanne Jones from the Wildwood office contacted me last week, and she was a great help, she is a very reliable employee, she called me back several times to make sure that I got positive results, and she did an excellent job. Thank you very much for your great help.”
Farm Share
The Central Region partnered with State Representative Jason Broduer and the Department of Juvenile Justice to distribute food to approximately 500 families in Sanford, on August 24. Farm Shares have been held in other areas of the state including South and North Florida, but locally it was the first Farm Share event for the Central Florida Community. Food, clothing, and blankets arrived by Farm Share semi in the early morning hours where volunteers from all organizations loaded these items into the trunks of vehicles to be shared with participating families. Among State Representative Brodeur, other dignitaries included Secretary Wansley Walters from the Department of Juvenile Justice and William D’Aiuto Department of Children and Families Regional Managing Director. “The event couldn’t have gone any better and we hope to have another event just like this again” says D’Aiuto.
 Representative Brodeur and the DCF team after a successful day of passing out food to 500 families in Sanford, Florida.
Community Partner Hosts School Supply Drive for Kids in Foster Care
When Chamberlain Edmonds, an ACCESS Community Partner, reached out to ask how they could go about helping local youth in foster care, a “Back to School Drive” seemed like the ideal choice for the start of the new school year. On Tuesday, August 13, boxes of much needed school supplies were picked up from their office to be given to Community Based Care of Central Florida for distribution. The gesture was a wonderful display of kindness, that exemplifies the generosity we see for children in foster care in Central Florida,” says Access Program Director Sharron Washington.
 Camps for Champs
Event with Kennnedy Space Center proves to be out of this World!
On August 6, approximately 25 foster youth were accepted to attend Astronaut Training Camp. Youth from around Central Florida enjoyed this unique oppurtunity along with their mentors for the day for an adventure that proved to be out of this world. During the day the youth and their mentors went on to complete different missions, even learning to land their very own space shuttle. The Astonaut Experience even included an up close and personal tour of a retired shuttle cockpit, followed by an experience in a gravity defying simulator. A special guest appearence and photo op with retired Astonaut Jon McBride proved to be one of the many highlights of the day. He spoke openly with the youth about becoming an Astronaut and his experiences in space. As the day drew to a close, a graduation ceremony was held for all the future astronauts launched their homemade rockets, ending the day with a bang. This opportunity would not have been made possible without the wonderful partnerships of: AT&T, Kennedy Space Center, and Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex. If you would like to see more about the astronaut experience click on the youtube video below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZpLH3d3Sg8
 Youth working as a team to land a space shuttle.
“It’s not about just getting it done; I want to encourage my team to commit. I want our team to feel fulfilled and valued each and day,” says the Region’s new Adult Protective Services Program Manager Lance Morgan. Morgan was offered the position of Adult Protective Services Program Manager in May after a long tenure in child protective investigations and family safety, managing at one point in his career approximately 120 personnel. “There is a big difference between child protection and adult protection,” explains Morgan. “Probably the hardest aspect in this program, when working with vulnerable adults, is wanting and knowing that you can help, but respecting their decision when they do not want to accept that help,” says Morgan. Adding, “In child protection, if we felt that a child was in need of our services we could act immediately on behalf of that child, but adults are a little different, you can’t always do that when it comes to an adult. It really depends on the situation.” Morgan has found that the most common cases that land on an API’s desk are self-neglect. “Those are tough,” he explains as some folks are very well-aware of the deteriorating conditions in which they live, and they are ok with that. Once a week Lance sends every member on his team an inspiring story or quote. They might be simple messages. Recently, it was video about a teacher who went above and beyond with his high school chemistry class while balancing the care of his own son who had a severe disability. “I strive to inspire my staff. I want them to all be leaders.” Stephanie Weis, the Region’s Director of Family Safety, who promoted Morgan to the position, isn’t surprised at how well he has adopted in his new role in adult protection. “Lance has always been all heart,” adding that he even recently completed the pre-service training for adult protection to better understand what his team faces and the program. Good luck to Lance Morgan in this new and important role!
 Lance Morgan, Central Region Adult Protective Services Program Manager
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