Gov. Rick Scott signs new bill for DCF overhaul
The Department of Children and Families has constantly come under fire and now lawmakers and Governor Rick Scott have stepped in to do something about
We believe that all children have the right to food, clothing, housing, education, medical care, property and personal privacy.
Florida’s laws, policies and practices respect, prioritize and protect children and youth impacted by the child welfare, juvenile justice, and disability systems.
The Department of Children and Families has constantly come under fire and now lawmakers and Governor Rick Scott have stepped in to do something about
Florida’s Department of Children and Families has taken a beating over a Miami Herald series “Innocents Lost,” which told the story of 477 children who
All children subject to court proceedings should have legal representation. While Florida law provides for legal counsel for children subject to court proceedings because
Click to watch ReMoved, an award winning short film that brings awareness, encourages, and is useful in foster parent training, and raising up foster parents. The film
At 2 a.m. on Dec. 13, 2013, a Riviera Beach mom woke up to find her newborn baby’s lips were purple. Blood and milk oozed
I never knew a single kid who ever wanted to be in foster care. No kid is proud to be born into a broken home.
In his second week on the job, the Department of Children & Families’ top administrator made good on his first formal pledge by appointing a
The Florida Department of Children and Families is asking a judge to approve the release of details on 177 children under agency care who have
Child-welfare officials said Monday they are creating a new position within the agency in an effort to improve transparency when releasing child-abuse-death records. The Department
DCF Secretary Mike Carroll is taking steps to reverse recent policies that would have shielded much of the agency’s work from the public record.
Rain clouds couldn’t spoil Kenisha Anthony’s afternoon as she emerged from the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables on Saturday with an associate degree in social
Hours into his first day as top administrator of the Department of Children & Families, Mike Carroll on Monday began a far-reaching reform of his
Win for at-risk kids Sometimes, doing the right thing at the right time requires unwavering commitment and unsung leadership. In what can be called
The Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program is currently seeking volunteer advocates to be a voice for abused, neglected or abandoned children whose cases are in
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – On his first day as interim secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families, Mike Carroll directed his deputies to create
FYS Events & Meeting Chair
(Palm Beach)
Hello, My name is Alexia Nechayev. I am 25 years old and I am an alumna of Florida International University where I received my B.A. in Psychology. My future career goal is to be a Lawyer. I was in care for about one year from age 17 to 18. Prior to entering care, I only knew about the negative stigma regarding foster care and while in care that narrative was unfortunately my experience.
In school I felt like I was on display because my status in care was broadcast to other students and in my placement behavior was leveraged for “privileges” that should be a natural right of all children. Because I did not know my rights I did not know that what I was experiencing was wrong. Today this is exactly why I advocate, because I don’t want this to be the same for other youth who are experiencing foster care.
This is my second year on the FYS Statewide Board and I’m happy to be the Events and Meetings Chair this year because my main goal through advocacy is to reach as many people as possible. My favorite thing as a board member is to see how comfortable members become while working together. The community needs to know that youth in foster care are real people, going through some of the hardest moments of their life and youth need to know that their voice is powerful. I believe that we have to speak up and bring these issues to people’s attention so that they do not forget us. Advocacy, education and consistency is the only way.