September 2007 - The Dept. of Children and Families announced that beginning on October 1st it will discontinue its practice of reducing welfare (TANF) payments to children in order to pay back overpayments to parents. This change was made in response by an inquiry from FCF as to why a child living with a relative caregiver was having her welfare payment reduced to pay back her mother's fraudulent receipt of benefits.

September 2007 - On September 20th FCF Executive Director Andrea Moore addressed the Task Force for Child Protection to offer FCF's recommendations for improving services to youth in the child welfare system. A copy of her remarks, which include detailed recommendations are available on the publications page. 

September 2007 - On September 4th FCF Executive Director Andrea Moore addressed Florida's Blueprint Commission which is examining the State's Juvenile Justice system. A copy of her remarks and a summary of FCF's recommendations for improvements to the juvenile justice system are available on the publications page. 

August 2007 - FCF issued its Children's Mental Health Overview and Recommendations. This document provides a comprehensive look at how the child welfare and juvenile justice systems deliver mental and behavioral health services to youth. Each section includes specific recommendations for reform. A copy of Children's Mental Health Overview and Recommendations is available on the publications page. 

July 2007 - FCF and its partner the University of Miami Children and Youth Law Clinic released a report examining the creation and implementation of local agreements between foster care agencies and school boards. This report highlights issues with implementation around the state. It is a good guide for educators and child welfare professionals who are concerned about educating youth in foster care. A copy of the report, Interagency Agreements: Improving Educational Outcomes for Florida's Children in Foster Care, is available on the publications page.

May 2007 - FCF worked with the Florida Bar Standing Committee on the Legal Needs of Children to present a workshop on children's mental health for Judge Liefman, the Special Advisor to the Chief Justice on Criminal Justice and Mental Health. FCF gathered recommendations, reports, articles, and public records from presenters and interested agencies to prepare a Mental Health Briefing Book for Judge Liefman. A link to the Briefing Book, a "web-based notebook" is available on the publications page. A cd version of the briefing book can be requested by emailing fcf@floridaschildrenfirst.org. 

Sept 2007  - DCF published Rights and Expectations for Children in Foster and Shelter Care.  Secretary Butterworth credited the members of the FCF founded group, Florida Youth SHINE with giving him the idea and helping his staff prepare this new and important document. 

April 2007 - FCF receives major fund increase from the Florida Bar Association to expand efforts to help foster kids - Read article

February 2007 - On February 22, 2007 we held our Broward County Reception with Secretary Bob Butterworth, Department of Children and Families, delivering our Keynote Address. We were pleased to honor the Forever Family Project of NBC 6 and the Children's Services Council of Broward County for their dedication and work on behalf of the children of South Florida. The evening was also dedicated to the memory of Bill Keith, a man who helped to develop the physical and moral landscape of Broward County. We were pleased to honor Wanda Collins McDowell, Latoya Richardson, Terran Vandiver, and Tammy Workman, for their successful transition from state care to successful adulthoods.

February 2007 - Florida's Children First, Inc. is honored to announce the addition of two highly esteemed individuals to our Board of Directors. Former State Senator Walter 'Skip' Campbell, Jr., past Chair of the Senate Children, Families, & Elder Affairs Committee, will lend his infinite expertise to our work and statewide initiatives. After running for Attorney General in 2006, Senator Campbell is currently in private practice with his firm, Krupnick, Campbell, Malone, Buser, Slama, Hancock, Lieberman & McKee. Jay Kassack, also a new member of our board, was former Chief of Staff to Senate President Tom Lee; his dedication and insight will be invaluable to our efforts throughout the state. Jay currently works as a Vice President of AMERIGROUP Community Care.

January 2007 - Our Miami-Dade Reception honored Speaker of the House Marco Rubio for his dedication to children's issues in the state of Florida. Board Member Alan I. Mishael was also honored for his decades of service to the most disadvantaged children in South Florida; his work both as an attorney and advocate has set a standard for individual service. The event raised awareness of the state care system within the Miami-Dade community and was a venue to celebrate the accomplishments of Kimberly Foster, a graduate of Florida's foster care system who has excelled against all odds.