Children and Youth Cabinet Forms Committees, Partnership
Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp convened the seventh meeting of the Children and Youth Cabinet Monday in Jacksonville. The Cabinet established three committees to aid in accomplishing the goals set forth in its strategic plan. The committees are:

Interagency Agreements Committee - chaired by Cabinet Member Toni Crawford, chairman of the Early Learning Coalition of Duval.

Committee on State Agency Budgets for Children's Services - chaired by Cabinet Member Gay Lancaster, executive director of JWB-Children's Services Council of Pinellas County.

Committee on Commissions, Councils and Task Forces Recommendations -- chaired by Cabinet Member Dick Batchelor, president of Dick Batchelor Management Group.

The Lt. Governor also announced a partnership with the Children's Summit Workgroup, which will serve as a resource to the Cabinet. The workgroup consists of very experienced child welfare experts and advocates who will provide information, analysis, and insights to assist in the Cabinet's work. FCSC has taken an active role in this workgroup. In its first report to the Cabinet, the workgroup recommended completion of two projects: 1) develop a comprehensive "State of Florida's Child Report," and 2) develop a uniform statewide screening system across programs serving children. Minutes of the full meeting, as well as presentation materials, will be available soon on the Children and Youth Cabinet web site.

Lt. Governor Launches Explore Adoption Campaign,
Unveils New Brand
Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp on May 9 launched Gov. Charlie Crist's statewide adoption initiative, "Explore Adoption," aimed at promoting the benefits of public adoption and urging families to consider creating or expanding their families by adopting a child who is older, disabled or part of a sibling group. Lt. Governor Kottkamp unveiled the initiative at an event celebrating the 400th adoption in Duval County this year. Every year, about 3,000 Florida children become available for adoption when a court permanently severs ties to their birth parents due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. Heart Galleries from across the state are also expected to participate in promotional efforts. To learn more, visit www.adoptflorida.org.

Florida Partnership to End Childhood Hunger Releases 10-Point Plan
The Florida Partnership's Ten-Point Plan lays out a strategic road map for removing barriers to participation and increasing access to all the federal food and nutrition programs and the Earned Income Tax Credit -- thus creating an unparalleled opportunity to end childhood hunger and reduce food insecurity while generating an economic stimulus effect within our communities. Learn More.

Advocates Warn Medicaid Patients of Pending Change
According to an article on the Florida Health News web site, some health care providers and advocates are mobilizing to warn mentally and physically disabled Medicaid clients about a new state requirement that could force them into HMOs. The change, tucked into the recently passed budget, affects Medicaid recipients in 29 counties who rely on their primary care physician to manage their medical care, a program called MediPass. Currently patients can remain in MediPass year to year without asking, but under the new rules, if they don't specifically request it at the right time, they will be switched to a controlled network plan, usually an HMO. Counties affected by the new rule include: Brevard, Dade, Gadsden, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jefferson, Lake, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Martin, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Volusia, and Wakulla. Read More.

Healthy Kids Seeks Community Partners for Outreach Campaign
Florida Covering Kids and Families is working with Healthy Kids to implement an outreach campaign targeting organizations and associations whose membership and clientele focus on families who are likely eligible for the Florida KidCare Program. Healthy Kids seeks community-based partners to complement the program's existing marketing and outreach efforts. These partners would also encourage participation in areas of the state where no formalized marketing or outreach activities are currently underway. To learn more, or to download an application, go to the Healthy Kids web site.