The Governor’s Corner by Governor Rick Scott
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Thanks to your hard work, there are incredible opportunities for families to succeed in the Sunshine State. In a little over two years, we’ve worked to make government more effective and operate at a better value to taxpayers - and thanks to the hard work of Florida job creators - families are beginning to reap the rewards. Last session, we were able to provide pay raises for our hardworking teachers and make critical transportation investments in our communities.
Our pro-growth policies are so effective that recently our State Revenue Estimating Conference announced that the general revenue now forecasted for 2014-2015 in Florida will be the highest ever.
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That’s why we’re working to cut $500 million in taxes and fees in the next budget, so families can keep more of their money. As we continue finding ways to improve state government and benefit Florida families, we want to hear from you about how a reduction in taxes and fees would benefit your family.
Top News
Casey Family Programs Releases Report on DCF Safety Model
On Sept. 23, Casey Family Programs released its Review of Florida’s Safety Model and Front-End Assessment Tools. The Casey review was prepared at the request of Interim Secretary Jacobo as part of an ongoing effort to evaluate the state’s new child safety model and risk assessment tools.
Some of the key findings and recommendations include the following:
Additional Focus on Infants and Toddlers: The Safety Model guidelines should provide additional focus on children 0-3, the age groups at greatest risk for serious inflicted injuries and maltreatment fatalities.
- CPIs should be trained to recognize that when child vulnerabilities such as very young age, developmental disabilities or delays and chronic health conditions intersect with a caregiver’s substance abuse or mental health problems, a child can be exposed to harm, whether or not there is a corresponding danger threat in the home.
- Safety planning should be implemented when any child aged 3 years or younger is found to have even minor inflicted or suspicious injuries.
Real Time QA: “Real time” quality assurance methods should be implemented to provide coaching and feedback to CPIs, case managers and their supervisors on open cases. Assure CPIs receive timely feedback from case managers regarding the outcomes of safety plans developed during their investigations and that case managers are informed of child protection reports or lack of reports on families following case closure.
More frequent monitoring of safety plans: Safety plans for children assessed as being in present danger should be monitored more frequently – weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the risk.
Second-party Consultations: CPIs should have timely access to expert consultation regarding substance abuse assessment and treatment, mental health assessment and treatment and domestic violence during child protective investigations.
Emphasis on Chronically Neglecting Families: The model should expand its focus to protecting children in current danger, as well as preventing at-risk children from becoming endangered. Many families live in a “sea of risk” that may not pose an immediate danger to a child, but the cumulative effect of chronic safety threats and vulnerabilities can have significant implications for child well-being.
The Department will use the recommendations to further improve its child protection services, and ensure the safety of our children.
Click here to view the full report.
Committee Week Focuses on Child Welfare
The last week of September was a busy one for DCF at the Florida Capitol. On Sept. 24, Interim Secretary Esther Jacobo and agency partners presented before various committees and subcommittees on issues related to child deaths and sexually violent predators. Members of the House Healthy Families Subcommittee heard about the Department's latest findings on child welfare issues, including the report from the Casey Family Programs' Review of the Florida's Safety Model and Front-End Assessment Tools. The Department, along with the Florida Coalition for Children and Circuit Judge Larry Schack of St. Lucie County, shared the findings with subcommittee members and fielded a number of questions on how to improve the child safety system.
In addition, the joint Senate Judiciary and Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committees, and the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard presentations about sexual offenders and the civil commitment of sexually violent predators. Interim Secretary Jacobo also had the opportunity to meet with several legislators during the first interim committee week, including Senate President Don Gaetz.
The Florida Legislature will convene several weeks of interim committee meetings in the coming months to prepare for the 60-day 2014 Legislative Session, which begins March 4, 2014. For more on the Florida Legislature, visit www.leg.state.fl.us.
Transition to New EBT Vendor a Success
The Department successfully completed its transition to a new vendor to provide Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) services to Florida’s SNAP recipients. The move to e-Funds, a subsidiary of FIS Government Services – a world leader in banking and payment technologies - will save the state $21 million over the next three years. Since July, the Department has been working with e-Funds and Florida retailers accepting SNAP benefits to prepare and make the transition as smooth as possible. The transition went even better than expected thanks to well-orchestrated technology and communications plans that ensured minimal system down time for the millions of Floridians who depend on SNAP benefits. Special thanks go to the DCF employees and community partners who helped to ensure the project’s success.
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DCF and Partners Launch Safe Sleep Campaign
Photo: The ABC’s of safe sleep for babies
With 95 reported infant deaths to the Florida Abuse Hotline related to unsafe sleep, Florida officials, first responders and community organizations teamed up to launch the Safe Sleep Campaign. DCF Interim Secretary Esther Jacobo, Rep. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart) and Rep. David Santiago (R-Deltona), and many others, announced the campaign at the state Capitol on Sept. 25.
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The awareness campaign, an expansion of successful programs implemented by Ft. Lauderdale Fire-Rescue and Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies of Broward County and Manatee County Sheriff's Office, stresses the ABCs of safe sleep: babies should sleep Alone, on their Backs, in a Crib. The campaign will provide free online continuing education training to first responders about how to identify unsafe sleep situations and take preventive measures. First responders will also receive free printed materials to distribute to families. The program was tested at the local level by the Tallahassee Fire Department and has received support and participation from first responder and community organizations statewide. To learn more, visit www.MyFLFamilies.com/SafeSleep.
DCF and Eckerd Roll Out Rapid Safety Feedback to Protect At-Risk Children
The Department, along with Eckerd Community Alternatives, has deployed a Rapid Safety Feedback initiative to quickly identify cases with issues that pose the greatest risk to a child. Rapid Safety Feedback is a new process designed to flag key risk factors in open child welfare cases that could gravely impact a child’s safety. These factors have been determined based on reviews of other cases where child injuries or tragedies have occurred. Eckerd created a task force to review more than 1,500 cases, and through consultation with experts, was able to create a list of common risk factors. This helped to leverage new technology to flag cases, shorten reviews and get immediate feedback. Look for DCF to expand and apply the tool in other areas across the state.
Partners Making a Difference
Southern Affordable Services and Westgate Resorts Foundation, both DCF Partners for Promise organizations, continue to make a difference for families in the Central Region. In the last 18 months, Southern Affordable Services has housed more than 200 families in Central Florida. These families not only receive housing assistance, but are also provided move-in kits and employment assistance from the Westgate Resorts Foundation. This is all part of a housing program that allows families to pay reduced rent that slowly increases over a year and work with a case manager. The program has proven very successful and has a lower eviction rate than traditional rental programs. Thank you to these amazing partners!
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DCF Receives $8 Million Federal Bonus for Food Assistance Accuracy
Photo: L to R Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food and Nutrition and Consumer Services; Jeri Flora, Florida DCF ACCESS Program Director; Peggy Fouts, FNS Southeast Region SNAP Director
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Jeri Flora, DCF ACCESS Program Director, recently attended an award ceremony to accept a plaque recognizing Florida’s $8 million bonus for its low error rate in processing food assistance applications. The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded Florida an $8 million bonus for reducing its error rate to 0.77 percent - the lowest in the nation. This makes the sixth year in a row that DCF's improvements and accuracy have received accolades and bonus money from the federal government, totaling more than $47 million since 2008.
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Update: DCF and the Affordable Care Act
Photo: Affordable Care Act training class
ACCESS staff have been hard at work to ensure the Department’s compliance with the federally mandated health care law known as the Affordable Care Act.
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ACA Medicaid Policy Training statewide concluded in September. Medicaid Eligibility System (MES) Training begins statewide in October. Key dates related to ACA through the end of 2013 include:
- Oct. 1, 2013 – Open Enrollment began for the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM)
- Oct. 7 - 18, 2013 - Super User Testing and Training will be held in Tampa and Tallahassee
- Oct. 17 – Statewide MES Testing begins
- Dec. 16, 2013 – The new Medicaid Eligibility System designed for ACCESS Florida begins accepting Medicaid applications transmitted by the FFM
The new Medicaid Policy Training is now posted on the ACCESS intranet training site, and is linked from the ACCESS ACA Implementation site. Be sure to check back often for updated materials and information.
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DCF Wins $5 Million National Adoption Award
Photo: One of the many families finalizing their adoption
For five years running, the Department has received accolades for its success in finding permanent homes for children in foster care.
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Recently, the Department was awarded $5 million as part of the Federal Adoption Award to provide services to special needs children who have been adopted.
Florida is receiving the third highest award among all states receiving the honor. The awards are given to states that exceed baseline standards for adoptions and work to find homes for harder to place children, like teens, sibling groups, and those with special needs.
Last year, DCF and community partners found permanent homes for 3,352 children, up more than a 100 from the previous year. Four hundred twenty-one, or approximately 12 percent, of the children adopted were 13 or older. One hundred children had been in foster care for longer than five years.
Currently, there are 750 children in foster care in Florida who are available for adoption. Learn more at www.adoptflorida.org or by calling 1-800-96-ADOPT (1-800-962-3678).
Changes Coming to SNAP Program
SNAP Food Assistance Yearly Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA)
SNAP Food Assistance benefits may change for customers effective Oct. 1, 2013. This change takes place each year. More information is available on the ACCESS Splash page notifying customers at www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.
SNAP Benefit Increases to Expire in November
The Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) temporarily increased food assistance benefit amounts for each household size. The temporary increase will expire Nov. 1, 2013, which will result in decreased food assistance benefit amounts for all households unless a change in household occurs at the same time to offset the decrease (such as income, household size, or expenses). For example, if there is a household of four and nothing else changes, the benefit could go down approximately $36. The ACCESS office is developing a communications plan to educate customers about the Nov. 1, 2013, expiration of the ARRA increase. Customers may log into their My ACCESS account to view their benefit information at any time.
New Call Center Announced for Background Screening and Child Care Training
The Office of Child Care Regulation and Background Screening announced the formation of the Background Screening and Child Care Training Information Call Center. The Call Center staff assists customers with inquiries relating to Background Screening (Foster Care, Child Care, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Relative/Non-Relative Caregivers, Substance Abuse and Mental Health), as well as Child Care training matters (credentials, transcripts, mandated training and exams). Bilingual staff members are available to assist Spanish-speaking customers. The toll-free number for the Background Screening and Child Care Training Information Call Center is: 1-888-352-2842.
For more information on Background Screening, please visit: www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/backgroundscreening/ or for information on Child Care Training, please visit: www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/child-care/training.
North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center Partners With Alachua County in Crisis Intervention Training
In an effort to promote better understanding of mental illness and react appropriately to situations involving mental illness or developmental disability, North Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center (NFETC) hosted several community partners for crisis intervention training. Some of the organizations participating included the Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff’s Department, Veteran’s Administration Security Department, University of Florida Police Department, Santa Fe College Police Department, and Detention Officers from Alachua and surrounding counties.
Paul Alexaitis, Lead Qualified Mental Health Professional, and Will Otero, Director of Counseling, coordinated and facilitated NFETC site visits where officers were provided an overview of NFETC’s operations and took part in panel discussions with staff and persons served. Alachua County, in partnership with NFETC, has conducted three CIT trainings annually since the program’s inception.
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Florida State Hospital Hosts Intern Commencement
Photo: L to R, Dr. Trina Christner-Renfroe, Chief Psychologist; Dr. Ellen Resch, Internship Director; Interns Amanda Chastain Graham, Michelle Stein, Lori Handschuh
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The Florida State Hospital Psychology Department hosted a reception to celebrate the annual Psychology Intern Commencement. The three 2012-13 interns are the most recent of 163 interns who have completed the year-long, full-time pre-doctoral internship, which has been accredited by American Psychological Association, since the graduating class of 1986-87. The program has been in continuous, successful operation for 28 years. Congratulations!
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Senator Grimsley Receives Daniel Webster Leadership Award
Sen. Denise Grimsley (R-Sebring) recently accepted the 2013 Daniel Webster Leadership Award during the Healthy Families Florida Annual Leadership Meeting in Orlando.
The award was created in honor of former State Rep. Daniel Webster who, as Florida Speaker of the House, worked tirelessly to pass legislation that created Healthy Families Florida in 1998.
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Grimsley was recognized for outstanding leadership in advocating for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Interim Secretary Esther Jacobo attended the meeting and stated this about the Senator, "Senator Grimsley is an outstanding Floridian who leads with an essential combination of head and heart, inspiring both her colleagues and community members alike. She understands that when it comes to kids, investing in the early years avoids higher costs in both health and human terms." See the news article at: http://highlandstoday.com/hi/local-news/grimsley-receives-leadership-award-20130923.
DCF Staff On the Move
Programs
Stephen Pennypacker has been appointed Assistant Secretary for Programs overseeing Family Safety, Child Welfare, Adult Services, Child Care, Domestic Violence, Homelessness and Refugee Services. He has been with DCF since 2006 and served in various roles, most recently as Deputy Director and Training Director for Children’s Legal Services and the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) Deputy Compact Administrator for the State of Florida.
Child Protection
The Child Protection Project will transition to the Office of Child Welfare under the leadership of Director Andrea Tulloch. Andrea’s team will support and provide technical assistance to the field as they implement the new practice model. Kellie Sweat, who has worked countless hours on developing a statewide methodology focused on child safety, will shift her focus to making FSFN the best system for our workforce.
Marc Slager, current CIO, will move from managing the information technology needs of the whole Department to focusing solely on information technology for the child welfare community. He will work closely with Department leadership and the CBC CIOs to develop a long-range plan for our child welfare technology systems.
Hotline Command Center
James Cheatham is the new Director for the Hotline Command Center. Previously, he has managed the Child Care Call Center in addition to a host of other duties related to credential and training requirements for child care providers since joining the Department in 2005.
Charles Scherer will serve as Deputy Director for the Hotline Command Center. He joined the headquarters Operations team under the leadership of Assistant Secretary Pete Digre in February 2012. Prior to joining the agency, Charles worked for the U.S. Attorney General's Office and also served as a legislative intern in our nation's capital.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Nevin Smith, the Department’s Chief Financial Officer, will serve as Interim Assistant Secretary for Substance Abuse and Mental Health, and Hayden Mathieson will continue in his role as Director of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.
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