Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiDecember 5, 2018

Is it the state’s business if parents don’t ensure their kids buckle up? If newly filed legislation passes, it will be if those kids are injured in car wrecks. A new bill from Sen. Aaron Bean seeks to expand the Department of Children and Families’ ability to investigate to two new areas. The measure (SB 128) would allow […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 21, 2018

Like many of you, I have been praying for those that were murdered or injured in Parkland, as well as for their families and the community. Our hearts are broken for them. The grief and sorrow being experienced by this community is no doubt crushing to their souls and we should continue to lift them […]

Jim RosicaNovember 14, 2017

A Tallahassee judge has agreed to the release of Department of Children and Families (DCF) records on home health care abuses to the Tampa Bay Times. Leon County Circuit Judge Karen Gievers last week OK’d an agreement between the newspaper and the department that would allow Times investigative reporter Kathleen McGrory access to certain redacted investigative records. State […]

Jim RosicaOctober 19, 2017

The company that publishes the Tampa Bay Times is asking a Tallahassee court to order the release of records on “abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults by providers of home health care services” from the state’s Department of Children and Families (DCF). The petition, agreed to by the department, was filed this week by Times Publishing Co. and […]

Staff ReportsJuly 3, 2017

As Floridians celebrate the long Independence Day weekend, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is reminding parents and caregivers to take extra precautions to keep children safe. While Independence Day is an important time to reflect on the nation’s history and celebrate our freedom, it is also important to take some simple steps […]

A.G. GancarskiApril 17, 2017

An ongoing debate in Florida has revolved around whether foster care or group care is the best way forward for the kids who need it. This question, as is the case with so many “safety net” questions, depends on who you ask and how the question is framed. In the last ten years, the usage […]

Florence SnyderApril 4, 2017

It’s that time of year when claims bills are briefly — very briefly — in the news. Claims bills are the state’s reluctant, belated, grudging way of saying “we’re sorry” for the malfeasance and malpractice that ruined someone’s life. In a functioning system, simple mistakes and honest errors are caught quickly and generally capable of […]

Florence SnyderApril 2, 2017

“Foster care kids are our kids. They are our kids,” said Boca Raton Democratic Sen. Kevin Rader in support of legislation making it easier for youth in state custody to obtain a driver’s license. You hear that line a lot — a lot — from “leadership” at the Department of Children & Families (DCF), and […]

Les NeuhausMarch 28, 2017

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Naika Venant’s mother vehemently refutes narratives by the state agency in a March 13 report, including suggestion she ‘allegedly’ commented on Facebook Live thread taunting daughter while watching and did nothing; lawyer says agencies ‘abysmally failed’ Naika. *** Naika Venant was a girl whose personality had turned from that of a bright and gifted child […]

Les NeuhausMarch 24, 2017

Part of a psychological evaluation administered to Naika Venant in June 2015 included a sentence completion test. For the beginning stem sentence “The thing I want to do most of all is …” the then-12-year-old girl responded: “Die happy.” Sentence tests can provide indications of attitudes, beliefs, motivations or other mental states. Other sentences she […]

Tag: DCF

Bill: Buckle up kids or DCF could investigate for child abuse

Bob White: Our rights to life and liberty are secured by our right to keep and bear arms

Judge OKs release of abuse reports to Tampa Bay Times

Tampa Bay Times seeks court order for DCF investigations

DCF reminds families to stay safe while celebrating Independence Day

Group homes, foster care concern Senate panel

Florence Snyder: Why children die — Part 2; clues in the claims bills

Why children die – Part 1: If everybody’s responsible, nobody’s responsible

Did Florida DCF create media frenzy after foster child’s suicide to distract from agency errors?

Psychotropic cocktail may have contributed to Facebook Live suicide