Tag: department of children and families

In 2019, there were at least 69 confirmed infant deaths in Florida as a result of unsafe sleep.

The grant, which came to almost $5 million, comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The funds “will provide crisis counseling services through Florida’s network of 2-1-1 crisis helplines, assisting individuals in need of mental or behavioral health counseling and referrals.”

“Governor DeSantis and I are immensely proud that these funds will be available to support schools in their efforts to help students overcome barriers to achieving positive mental health wellness,” said DeSantis.

Registrants span more than half of the states. For the first time, the summit will be held virtually—in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Given the virtual format of the summit, spots remain open for people interested in joining the fight to end human trafficking. The annual summit brings together local, state and national leaders immersed in the fight to eradicate all forms of human trafficking.

The Florida Race Equity Challenge is a web-based, interactive experience that will provide juvenile justice stakeholders with the education and tools to identify and tackle issues related to race, equity, and inclusion (REI) within the juvenile justice system.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF), in partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), developed a P-EBT program to automatically issue benefits during the month of June to more than 2.1 million children who have temporarily lost access to free and reduced-price school meals during COVID-19-related school closures.

The funding will provide crisis intervention services, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and other related recovery supports for children and adults impacted by COVID-19.

Following initial approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP recipients’ maximum monthly allotment (based on household size) will be increased for the month of May. Once approved, current SNAP recipients will receive this additional benefit amount automatically.

On Monday, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, the chairwoman of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, launched two workgroups to cut down on youth suicide.

DeSantis announced the effort “to collaborate between state government and Florida’s faith-based institutions and community organizations, enhancing agencies’ existing work to support Florida citizens” and tapped Erik Dellenback to serve on Florida Faith-Based and Community-Based Council to oversee it and advise the governor’s office and the Legislature.

State Rep. Jason Brodeur, R-Oviedo, is already going all out for the Florida Senate in 2020 as he looks to replace term-limited Sen. David Simmons, R-Longwood.

Last week, Florida's First Lady Casey DeSantis announced more than 60 schools in six counties across the region will have telehealth portals as the area recovers from Hurricane Michael which hit Northwest Florida in October.