LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
We Begin Again
(Coming Next Week: Summary Overview of Governor’s Budget Recommendations)
Welcome back. It is the start of another legislative session, and with that comes the Children’s Campaign published Legislative Update.
This edition begins with a recap of what has happened during Committee Weeks to date. In what is sure to be a politically charged year, with a Presidential election on the horizon and an economy that is less than certain, it is more important than ever that advocates for children pay close attention. Not only is it important that our issues are raised on a national level and reach the highest level of debate, but every dollar in the state budget will be scrutinized and it is crucial that advocates speak for the children who won’t be able to defend programs essential to their health and well-being and create positive outcomes.
News to date related to the 5 Promises of Children’s Campaign, Inc. is as follows:
Promise 1:
The Senate Health Policy Committee was introduced to Rich Robleto the new executive director of Florida Healthy Kids Corporation a public/private organization providing quality health insurance to Florida's children, including Florida KidCare. Mr. Robleto has 35 years experience in health insurance in the public and private sector. He most recently was the Executive Vice President for the Florida Association of Health Plans. He has been called upon by the Florida State Legislature as an insurance expert, and has a history of team building among state employees, advocacy groups, insurance executives, and elected officials. To read his welcome message click here.
Promise 2:
The House Healthy Families Committee heard a presentation by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) on youth transitioning to adulthood in the foster care system, and the difference between children receiving services under the Road to Independence and those that have not.
According to DCF there are currently more than 4,500 youth age 13 to 18 who are potentially eligible for Independent Living services, and nearly 4,000 youth age 18 to 23. Currently in Florida there are only 1,520 children age 18 to 23 receiving Road to Independence payment.
The difference in the success of foster youth who receive help from Road to Independence is significant. According to statistics from the Independent Living Survey - a joint project of the Independent Living Services Advisory Council, the Community-Based Care Lead Agencies, and the Department of Children and Families - youth receiving Road to Independence were less likely to be homeless, more likely to complete 12 th grade, and less likely to be arrested than similar youth not receiving the service.
DCF suggested several options to increase positive outcomes for foster youth “aging out” of care, including extended foster care.
Florida’s Children First, Inc.(FCF), a 5 year old, not for profit, statewide, children’s legal advocacy organization, has been one of the state’s leading supporters of increased Independent Living Services for foster youth aging out of the system. In remarks made to the Child Protection Task Force in September 2007, Andrea Moore, Executive Director of Florida’s Children First states “Funding is not sufficient to meet the stipend needs of the over 18 youth… -it is time for creativity, pulling current state and private programs serving this population together to do a better job.” To read the full remarks click here. To read the FCF’s “Frequently Asked Questions for Foster Youth Transitioning to Adulthood” click here.
The Office of Policy and Program Accountability (OPPAGA), made a presentation on History and Purpose of Community Based Care to the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee. The presentation explored a December 2007 research memo released by OPPAGA. The memo answered 5 major question related to Community Based Care and DCF.
Promise 3:
On January 24th and 25th, the 2008 Governor Crist held a Governor’s Summit on Education, Workforce, and Economic Development. The theme this year was Partnerships and Possibilities, exploring new ways to enhance Florida’s rich diversity of natural, scholastic, and economic resources and ensure that Florida will continue to be competitive in the future workforce and economy.
Sessions at the Summit included; Financing and System Development, Lessons Learned from Other States…Making a Case for State Investment, Shared Services – The ECE’s Industry Role in Finance Reform, Building Early Childhood Systems, Policy and Finance, Engaging the Business Sector, and The Next Steps for Florida.
To learn more about the Summit, and to read materials provided to Summit participants click here. To read the Governor’s press release click here.
Promise 5:
The Auditor General made a presentation to the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Committee about the Department of Juvenile Justice and detention care cost sharing. Detention care cost sharing refers to the joint obligation of the state and counties to pay the costs of the detention care provided juveniles.
According to the presentation DJJ did not retain documentation to support the initial shared cost estimates; absent documentation, the Department could not demonstrate that the amounts initially assessed were determined in accordance with established methodology. The Department also did not maintain a log of each county dispute, and action taken. The Florida Association of Counties, an association dedicated to keeping appropriate authority at the level of government closest to the people, and increase the capacity of Florida counties to effectively serve and represent the citizens of the state, supports legislation that repeals county responsibility to fund the cost of pre-disposition for juveniles. The cost sharing between state and county is sure to come up, after the passage of Amendment 1, which will constrain the all counties’ budgets.
Our next Legislative Update will include information on the Governor’s Budget Recommendations, and the Department of Juvenile Justice Blueprint Commission’s Report and its impact on pending legislation.
To read bills for each of the Promise areas simply click on the Promise of interest:
1. Promise 1 - Pre-natal, Infant, and Child Health Care
2. Promise 2 - Safety, Permanence, and Services to Children in Out-of-Home Settings
3. Promise 3 - High Quality Pre-K, Child Care, and Early Learning Opportunities
4. Promise 4 - Safe and Enriching Before and After-School Experience
5. Promise 5 - Delinquency Prevention Programs and Services to Treat Children with Problems
Legislative Update was brought to you by:
Amanda Ostrander, Editor, Legislative Update
Christen Smiley, Communications Coordinator
Roy Miller, President
We acknowledge the entire Legislative Team of Children’s Campaign, Inc. who work tirelessly during legislative session on behalf of Florida’s children.