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Florida Children's Services Council
NEWS UPDATE 
Issue: #10 August 13, 2008
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Dates to Watch
 
August 26, 2008
The Children's Trust Reauthorization

August 26, 2008 
Florida Primaries
 
Sept. 2-3, 2008
FCSC Annual Meeting
St. Petersburg
 
Sept. 23, 2008
Children & Youth Cabinet Meeting
University of West Florida
Pensacola
 
November 4, 2008
General Election
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CSCs strategically invest in primary prevention and early intervention programs and services.

 

TOP STORIES
 
Countdown Heats Up for The Children's Trust Reauthorization Campaign

In less than two weeks, voters in Miami-Dade County will decide whether The Children's Trust becomes a permanent part of their community. In ongoing efforts to get the word out and encourage voters to "Vote Yes" for children on Aug. 26, The Children's Trust Campaign is running radio, television and newspaper ads throughout the area. See the television ad featuring Alonzo and Tracy Mourning HERE. See the Spanish ad featuring Leticia Callava HERE.  The entire CSC family will be focused on the results of this very important election.  We applaud all of those in the community who are working hard for a victory for children in Miami-Dade County.

 

FCSC Joins Initiative to Protect Florida's Most Vulnerable

FCSC has joined a growing number of organizations that have endorsed a new initiative representing millions of Floridians of all types. The coalition, "Florida's People - Florida's Promise," includes children's groups, AARP, business groups, and many others. The initiative seeks to encourage state elected leaders and candidates to find real solutions to the state's darkening revenue picture and long-term challenges. The founding groups (see website) have organized four Town Hall meetings across the state before Nov. 4. Legislators and legislative candidates have been invited to discuss fresh solutions that preserve vital services during an unprecedented period of budget woes. The goal is to build an unprecedented grassroots movement by involving associations, providers, businesses, educators, community groups, individuals, etc. For the Town Hall schedule and more details, visit www.floridaspeople.org.

 

Governor Appoints New Director of Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Gov. Charlie Crist announced the appointment of James DeBeaugrine of Tallahassee to serve as executive director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). DeBeaugrine has served as the agency's interim director since May and previously as the agency's deputy director for budget and planning since August 2007. In other APD news, the agency has released talk points on its controversial Tier Waivers assignments. See the Tiers Talk Points.

 

FAN Now Offering Lights On Afterschool Mini-Grants

In support of the National Lights on Afterschool Celebration, the Florida Afterschool Network (FAN) is pleased to offer its 3rd annual Lights On Afterschool mini-grants. The Lights on Afterschool statewide event is scheduled for Thurs., Oct. 16. FAN is offering support through mini-grants to local afterschool programs to help offset event costs. The mini-grants are intended to support local afterschool program efforts to celebrate Lights on Afterschool. Download the application form and instructions.

 

Children's Board and Tampa Bay Heart Gallery Garner International Attention

On Aug. 1, the St. Petersburg Times devoted its entire Floridian section to one story titled, "The Girl in the Window." The heart-wrenching story about a foster child adopted via the Tampa Bay Heart Gallery, was a project developed by the Children's Board of Hillsborough County Communications Department and the Times over the past nine months. The Times reported that in the history of their publication this story garnered more readers, international attention and comment than any story they have ever done. As a result of the story, a website has been created to support Dani's long-term care www.danisstory.org. Read the story. View the online audio multi-media report on the Times website.

~ Submitted by the Children's Board of Hillsborough County

 

Heart Galleries Team with Governor to Promote Explore Adoption Campaign

Local Heart Galleries from across Florida will join the Governor's Office of Adoption and Child Protection for a media event in Tallahassee, Aug. 21, at 11 a.m. to help promote Gov. Charlie Crist's Explore Adoption campaign. The event, hosted at the Mary Brogan Museum, will also unveil a photo gallery full of children's photos provided by Heart Galleries across the state. Florida's Heart Gallery exhibit at the Brogan Museum will be on display Aug. 18 - Sept. 8. Anyone interested in the media event or viewing the Florida Heart Gallery is encouraged to attend. Thanks to Florida's Heart Galleries, more than 500 Florida children have found forever families. Many of the Heart Galleries are funded by their local Children's Services Council and they will be well represented at the event.

 

Program Funded by Broward CSC Inspires Kids Music Video

Children in a summer program funded by the CSC of Broward County recently helped to produce two music videos that are now part of the Earthman.TV web series. Not your ordinary music videos, the productions included a cast of kids from the League for the Hard of Hearing. Earthman Lanny, as he is known, worked with the League's summer program to produce the videos. He is an award-winning songwriter, musician and environmental activist who uses the power of music, the arts and the web to deliver powerful messages. See the music videos at www.youtube.com/Earthman. See television coverage.

~ Submitted by the Children's Services Council of Broward County
LEGISLATIVE WATCH

 

Senate Committee Passes Improvements to Juvenile Justice Act

The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary passed the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2008, S. 3155, with support from Democrats and Republicans. Amendments included: a phase-out of the valid court order over a 3-year period so that more status offenders will be deinstitutionalized; increased focus on mental health and substance abuse in state plans; and a required evaluation of the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention's (OJJDP) performance, an audit of OJJDP grantees to ensure that they are meeting the grant requirements, and an annual report by the Federal Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to be submitted to Congress. The bill now goes to the Senate floor for debate and vote.

 

Senate Committee Introduces Second Supplemental Appropriations Bill

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee released details of the Second Supplemental Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008. The bill is intended to help stimulate the nation's sagging economy and create jobs. Among the suggested appropriations are $850 million for safer schools, $570 million for food and nutrition programs, $309 million for housing programs, and $500 million for job training. For more details on suggested appropriations, click HERE.
NET DATA
 
The Children's Trust Reports on The State Of Children and Families in Miami-Dade County
The Children's Trust released its groundbreaking, multi-year analysis of child well-being and community needs, disparities and trends. "Putting the Pieces Together For Our Children," compiled in collaboration with the Urban Institute and Child Trends, examines 37 selected indicator areas related to: Community and Family Characteristics; Child Health and Healthcare; Child Safety; Early Childhood Education and Development; Youth Behavior and Development; and Education and School Engagement. Access the report online: Indicators Report.

 

Child Care Resource and Referral Agency Issues Reports

The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agency recently issued reports on child care and child safety. Download the reports below.
EVENTS
 
DCF to Hold Statewide Dependency Summit
The Department of Children and Families' (DCF) annual statewide Dependency Summit, scheduled for Aug. 27-29 in Orlando, is an opportunity for child welfare professionals throughout the state to share best practices and continue the advancement of child welfare practice in Florida. At the Summit, child protective investigators, community-based care administration and case management staff, as well as judges, general magistrates, children's legal services attorneys, law enforcement, medical and mental health providers and child advocates will join together to benefit from increased coordination, communication and creativity amongst their fields. The event is structured to allow for multidisciplinary workshops, meetings by profession and planning sessions for local child welfare representatives. More information is available on the DCF web site at www.dcf.state.fl.us/admin/dependency/2008.

 

Conference Focuses on Strengthening Workforce

The Florida Coalition for Children is hosting its 2008 Annual Conference Nov. 5-7 at the Florida Hotel & Conference Center in Orlando. The theme this year will focus on "Strengthening Workforce," with a keynote address by Judge Glenda Hatchett. She gained national attention for her "creative sentenc­ing," which can still be seen today in the form of "interventions" on her television program, "Judge Hatchett." The conference will also feature a number of educational opportunities with more than 40 track sessions. For more information, visit www.FLChildren.org or call (850) 561-1102.

 

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FCSC News Update is a bi-weekly compilation of news and information relevant to the work of Florida's Children's Services Councils (CSCs). The Florida Children's Services Council is a statewide, non-profit organization working on behalf of the CSCs to promote policies that build effective primary prevention and early intervention systems of supports for Florida's children and families.
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