Florida’s Foster Care System Loosening Up Restrictions While Extending Eligibility to 21
BY ROCHELLE KOFF HERALD/TIMES TALLAHASSEE BUREAU TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed a bill that will help children in the foster care system
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.
BY ROCHELLE KOFF HERALD/TIMES TALLAHASSEE BUREAU TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed a bill that will help children in the foster care system
By: DAVE HELLER AND NANCY SMITH | Posted: April 11, 2013 2:40 PM Rep. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula | Credit: Dave HellerHide Foster children in Florida
Stephen Satchell was a sprinter in high school. He was also a foster kid. When his team made the finals Stephen couldn’t go, because laws
Jessica Rae, an avid child advocate and children’s right attorney in Florida, has created a few videos to help attorneys taking on dependency cases. In
Jessica Rae, an avid child advocate and children’s right attorney in Florida, has created a few videos to help attorneys taking on dependency cases. In
By Gloria Fletcher Special to the Star-Banner Published: Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 6:30 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, April 5, 2013 at 6:15 p.m. For
Rochelle Koff – Tampa Bay Times TALLAHASSEE — Martin Gordon, 19, came to the Capitol to tell legislators his experiences in the foster care system
The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is in the process of amending current language in the Florida Medicaid Home Health Coverage and Limitations Handbook
In the latest skirmish over Florida’s tattered safety net, a judge says the state is denying help to foster children who are in dire need
We thank guest blogger Alan Abramowitz for sharing this news about the “normalcy bill” currently being debated in his state of Florida. Abramowitz is the executive director
After months of intense criticism, Florida healthcare regulators have quietly announced new rules that could enable hundreds, perhaps even thousands of Floridians to raise their
A Miami Gardens nursing home linked to the deaths of two youngsters is closing its 60-bed children’s unit, the epicenter of a bitter dispute over
PRACTICE FOCUS: CHILD WELFARE One can only hope that new penalties and the threats of punishment will lead to a shortened list of missing children
No Nonsense Nancy got misty eyed. State Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, has long built a reputation as a tough legislator worthy of the intimidating firefighter’s
By Jan Pudlow, Senior Editor “Go live and start communicating!” That’s the enthusiastic invitation to those handling dependency and delinquency cases from Florida’s Children First,
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.