Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Les NeuhausFebruary 24, 2017

A total of 931 combined child deaths were reported in Florida in both 2015 and 2016, according to the state’s Child Abuse Death Review Committee (CADR), which met in Tampa Friday to discuss the issue. Broken down, 474 of those reviewable fatalities were in 2015, with another 457 reviewable notifications made in 2016. More than […]

Les NeuhausFebruary 22, 2017

It’s another interesting day in the Florida child welfare business and not a bit has anything to do with a Department of Children and Families (DCF) child protection investigator being arrested. That’s good news. Starting with the positive, the Tallahassee Democrat reported Tony Dungy was in the state capital to speak at a DCF Black History Month Celebration, […]

Les NeuhausFebruary 20, 2017

A former child protection detective in Florida was arrested for lying in an ongoing investigation involving the possible sexual assault of a child, a spokesman for the state’s Department of Children and Families confirmed Monday. According to court records, Brittanee Sharmayne Carter, 27, was taken into custody by agents of the Florida Department of Law […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 7, 2017

The head of the state’s child welfare agency told a legislative panel his department has now handed over “5,000 pages of documents” to a judge looking into why a foster child hung herself while broadcasting it on social media. Mike Carroll, secretary of the Department of Children and Families (DCF), spoke to the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee this week. […]

Larry GriffinJanuary 23, 2017

Representative Frank White filed a new ‘Safe Families bill’ Monday morning, which would set up provisions for what to do with children in need of a place to go, but who do not necessarily need the foster care system. The bill, HB 363, will authorize qualified nonprofit organizations to establish programs for temporary respite for children […]

Michael MolineDecember 23, 2016

More than 3,000 at-risk children will spend the holidays with their birth or adoptive families after a push by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Agency staff worked with dependency judges and local groups to expedite the reunification of foster kids with their families or relatives, or to facilitate their adoption. “The heart of our […]

Peter SchorschNovember 14, 2016

The Florida Department of Children and Families announced Monday it will receive $8 million in federal money to fund services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in underserved communities. The 2016 Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors (STOP) grant will fund victim services providers such as law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts by […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 19, 2016

Walt Disney World is billed as “The Happiest Place on Earth” and any regular reader of this blog or any friend on Facebook knows how much I believe that. In fact, I believe that title extends to any place where Uncle Walt’s magic can be found, including the majestic Disney cruise ships. My family and I […]

Michael MolineSeptember 1, 2016

The new ombudsman for children in Florida’s foster care system is Heather Cox Rosenberg, herself a foster and adoptive mother with a history of volunteerism for children. The Florida Department of Children and Families announced the appointment Thursday. Rosenberg will serve as go-between for the department and children under its care. “We are excited to […]

Florence SnyderJune 27, 2016

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is not the worst offender in Florida’s never-ending War on Open Government. It just gets caught in the act more often than fellow offenders at the state, county and municipal levels. That’s because DCF is one of the few agencies left which ever has to contend with watchdog journalism. DCF chieftains, […]

Tag: Department of Children and Families
Jeh Johnson talks on DEI and a host of hot-button issues.

Child Abuse Death Review Committee to examine fatality emergency calls

DCF files: Tony Dungy, adoption, false reports and a new trend – falling asleep in cars, high and with kids

Florida child protection investigator arrested for lying in possible sex abuse case

Mike Carroll: “We aren’t always able” to save “broken” children

Frank White’s ‘Safe Families’ bill would let volunteer families help out children when their parents can’t

Florida children’s agency helped kids go home for the holidays

DCF receives $8 million grant to fund community-based projects targeting domestic violence and sexual assault

Back from vacation with a special message to our readers

Personnel note: Children under state care acquire an ombudsman

Florence Snyder: At Florida Department of Children & Families, the sun don’t shine