Floridas Children First Inc

FLORIDA'S CHILDREN FIRST, INC. (THE "ORGANIZATION" "FCF") IS A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION ESTABLISHED TO REPRESENT AND PROTECT THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF FLORIDA'S ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN FOSTER CARE. FCF ADVANCES CHILDREN'S LEGAL RIGHTS CONSISTENT WITH THEIR MEDICAL, SOCIAL, AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS, THROUGH AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY PROJECTS. THE CORPORATION BEGAN OPERATIONS IN 2002. FLORIDA'S CHILDREN FIRST IS DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE RIGHTS AND IMPROVING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH BY MAKING SYSTEMIC CHANGES THAT POSITIVELY IMPACT CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, OR WITH DISABILITIES, THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS, ARE IMMIGRANTS OR HAVE JUVENILE JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT. FCF IMPROVES JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN BY ALIGNING DIRECTLY WITH THOSE MOST AFFECTED BY FLORIDA'S DEPENDENCY COURT SYSTEM, THE CLIENTS (YOUTH) THEMSELVES. USING A RANGE OF BEST PRACTICES AND ADVOCACY STRATEGIES AND INCORPORATING THE YOUTH VOICE AND EXPERTISE INTO THE PROCESS, WE ACHIEVE LONG-TERM SYSTEMIC IMPROVEMENT TO ST

IMPROVING GENERAL CHILD WELFARE FLORIDA'S CHILDREN FIRST HAS BECOME A NATIONAL GO-TO ORGANIZATION WHEN SEEKING SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS IN CHILD WELFARE. FLORIDA'S CHILDREN FIRST MAKES THE LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF CHILDREN A TOP PRIORITY. FCF WORKS DILIGENTLY TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN LAWYERS ACROSS THE STATE TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES FOR OUR CHILDREN. FCF HAS HELPED TRAIN HUNDREDS OF LAWYERS WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME REPRESENTING INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE. FCF WORKS WITH AGENCIES WHEN THEY WRITE THEIR POLICIES, PROCEDURES, OR RULES. KNOWN FOR OUR EXPERTISE, FLORIDA'S CHILDREN'S FIRST PLAYS AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THIS ARENA. RECENTLY WE WORKED ON 33 RULES AND 2 OPERATING PROCEDURES. DCF ADOPTED MANY OF OUR SUGGESTIONS AS IT FINALIZED ITS RULES FOR: FAMILY FIRST IMPLEMENTATION, COMPREHENSIVE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS, SIBLING PLACEMENT & SEPARATION AND MASTER TRUST POLICY. THESE RULES WILL AFFECT THE GENERAL CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. FCF IMPROVING GENERAL CHILD WELFARE THROUGH TRAINING AND EDUCATING INDIVIDUALS. CHANGING THE SYSTEM OF CARE FOR FLORIDA'S CHILDREN REQUIRES THAT WE EDUCATE A VARIETY OF STAKEHOLDERS. WE MAKE THE GENERAL PUBLIC AWARE OF A PROBLEM CONCERNING CHILDREN, IN ORDER TO MOBILIZE THEIR HELP AND SUPPORT IN MAKING IMPROVEMENTS. OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE PROVIDED MORE THAN 80,700 HOURS OF FREE TRAINING TO KEEP INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS INFORMED ON ISSUES, RULE CHANGES AND NEW BEST PRACTICES THAT IMPACT VULNERABLE YOUTH. WE ALSO EDUCATE BY WRITING MATERIALS, BROCHURES, AND PAMPHLETS THAT PROVIDE INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TOPICS IN CHILD WELFARE, DELINQUENCY, AND DISABILITIES, WE NOW HAVE MORE THAN 3 DOZEN PUBLICATIONS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. FCF IMPROVES GENERAL CHILD WELFARE THROUGH LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY. FCF ACHIEVES SUCCESS IN SECURING MAJOR SYSTEMIC CHANGES BY EDUCATING THE STATE LEGISLATURE ON THE CHALLENGES THESE CHILDREN FACE DAILY, HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEMS OF CARE AND THE DIFFICULTY MANEUVERING THROUGH THOSE SYSTEMS - ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN. THESE CHANGES CONTINUE TO HAVE A RIPPLE EFFECT THAT IMPACTS MORE AND MORE YOUTH EACH YEAR AND EDUCATES THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONALS AND COUNTLESS CITIZENS ABOUT ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS FOR CHILDREN IN CARE. THIS YEAR OUR RECENT LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: "KEEPING SIBLINGS TOGETHER & PROMOTING RELATIONSHIPS WHEN APART. WE HAVE WORKED FOR YEARS TO PROMOTE SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS IN STATUTE AND PRACTICE. IN 2021 OUR ADVOCACY WAS EVIDENT IN SENATE BILL 80 WHICH CREATES THE RIGHTS FOR CHILDREN TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH SIBLINGS, BE NOTIFIED OF THEIR LOCATIONS, AND SETS PARAMETERS AROUND SIBLING PLACEMENT. THIS CONTINUED A PROGRESSION OF STATUTES THAT IMPROVE THE LIKELIHOOD OF SIBLINGS REMAINING TOGETHER AND IMPROVING COMMUNICATION IF THEY ARE SEPARATED. "INVOLVING CHILDREN & THEIR FAMILIES IN IMPORTANT DECISION-MAKING & RESPECTING CHILDREN'S RIGHTS. FCF WAS INTEGRAL TO THE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION THAT REQUIRES THE STATE TO CONTINUALLY LOOK FOR AND INVOLVE FAMILY MEMBERS. IT REQUIRES THE STATE TO INCLUDE CHILDREN AND THOSE THEY CHOSE TO SUPPORT THEM BE INVOLVED IN MAKING CRITICAL DECISIONS ABOUT WHERE THEY WILL LIVE AND GO TO SCHOOL. A LONG-STANDING PROBLEM OF CHILDREN BEING MOVED WITHOUT TIME TO GATHER THEIR BELONGINGS AND SAY GOOD-BYE TO FOLKS WAS ADDRESSED WITH A LAW REQUIRING NOTICE OF PLACEMENT CHANGES AND A THOUGHTFUL TRANSITION PLAN. THE RECENT LEGISLATIVE ACHIEVEMENTS COMBINED WITH SUCCESSFUL PRIOR EFFORTS THAT NOW ALLOW YOUTH TO REMAIN FOSTER CARE TO AGE 21, MAINTAIN EDUCATIONAL STABILITY WHEN MOVED TO A NEW LIVING PLACEMENT, OR RECEIVE FEWER PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS AMONG OTHERS, ALL COLLECTIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO THE BETTERMENT OF YOUTH WHO MUST EXPERIENCE THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. SOME OF THESE EFFORTS, SUCH AS THE "NORMALCY" BILL THAT NOW ALLOWS YOUTH IN CARE TO PARTICIPATE IN NORMAL ACTIVITIES LIKE BAND PRACTICE, SPORTS OR CLASS TRIPS WITHOUT A COURT ORDER BEING REQUIRED, HAVE SINCE BECOME NATIONAL LEGISLATION. BY FILLING A CRITICAL VOID IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM, OUR WORK EACH YEAR BENEFITS CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY IN WAYS THAT ARE SUBSTANTIAL AND LIFE-CHANGING FOR THOUSANDS. OUR EFFORTS BENEFITTED: "THE 30,000 CHILDREN IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM EACH YEAR WHO NOW HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE INCLUDED, AND HAVE ALL OF THEIR NEEDS CONSIDERED, IN DECISIONS ABOUT WHERE THEY WILL LIVE AND GO TO SCHOOL. "OVER 60,000 PARENTS AND RELATIVES OF CHILDREN IN OUT OF HOME CARE WHO WILL NOW HAVE A GREATER ROLE IN DECISION-MAKING AND COMMUNICATION WITH CHILDREN

FCF IMPROVES OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN THROUGH EDUCATION. FCF ALSO TAKES ON THE EQUALLY IMPORTANT ROLE OF EDUCATING CHILDREN AND YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS, THE PROCESSES THAT THEY ARE FACING, AND THEIR SUPPORT NETWORK. WE WORK HARD TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT THEY CAN HAVE OVER THEIR OWN DESTINY WHEN THEY LEARN TO EFFECTIVELY ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES. THROUGH CREATING YOUTH FRIENDLY PUBLICATIONS AND TRAININGS WE EQUIP THEM WITH THE KNOWLEDGE TO SELF-ADVOCATE TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES. TOPICS INCLUDE: LEGISLATIVE SYNOPSIS, COVID TIP SHEETS, ECONOMIC STIMULUS PAYMENTS, INCOME TAX TIPS, REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, TUITION EXEMPTION FACT SHEET, AND AN INDEPENDENT LIVING BENEFIT TABLE. FCF IMPROVES OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN BY EMPOWERING YOUTH THROUGH FLORIDA YOUTH SHINE. FLORIDA YOUTH SHINE (FYS), IS A YOUTH RUN, PEER DRIVEN YOUTH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION WORKING HARD TO CHANGE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. FYS'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER, IMPROVE, EDUCATE AND SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF TOMORROW'S LEADERS THROUGH THE LIVED-EXPERIENCE OF TODAY'S YOUTH. FYS IS SUPPORTED BY FLORIDA'S CHILDREN FIRST AND HAS 14 CHAPTERS ACROSS THE STATE WITH OVER 350 MEMBERS AGES 13-26. THROUGH FYS, WE PROVIDE INVALUABLE LEADERSHIP AND CAREER SKILLS AND A SUPPORT NETWORK FOR YOUTH TO THRIVE. FYS ALSO PROVIDES A SAFE AND NURTURING SPACE FOR EMOTIONAL HEALING AND UTILIZES A GROUNDBREAKING PEER-TO-PEER MODEL. MEMBERS ARE EDUCATED ABOUT THE SYSTEM AND THEIR RIGHTS, AND TRAINED ON HOW TO AMPLIFY THEIR VOICE TO SELF- ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES. THIS INNOVATIVE YOUTH-LED MODEL HAS RESULTED IN IMPROVED OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH AS THEY TRANSITION INTO ADULTHOOD. OUR METHOD FOR ENGAGING YOUTH IN SYSTEMIC CHANGE IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BEST PRACTICE. CASEY FAMILY PROGRAMS DID A NATIONAL STUDY AND SELECTED FLORIDA YOUTH SHINE AS A PREMIER ORGANIZATION TO SHOWCASE BEST PRACTICES FOR AUTHENTIC YOUTH ENGAGEMENT. FCF IMPROVES OUTCOMES FOR OLDER YOUTH BY EMPOWERING YOUTH THROUGH LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY. FCF ADVOCATES FOR LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT YOUTH WHO AGE OUT OF CARE SO THEY CAN THRIVE AS ADULTS. BY BEING INFORMED BY THE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS WE ARE INFORMED ABOUT THE ISSUES AND WHAT STRATEGIES CAN BEST SUPPORT THEM. AS A RESULT OF OUR ADVOCACY THIS YEAR 5000 YOUTH WHO AGED OUT OF STATE CARE IN THE LAST 5 YEARS WILL HAVE MORE ACCESS TO SUPPORT AS YOUNG ADULTS. NOT ONLY DO WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OLDER YOUTH BY EQUIPPING THEM WITH PROFESSIONAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO BE SUCCESSFUL ADULTS, BUT WE EDUCATE AND TRAIN THEM HOW TO SPEAK WITH LEGISLATORS AND GET LAWS CHANGED. THIS AFFECTS THEM DIRECTLY BUT THEN IT AFFECTS ALL THE OTHER OLDER YOUTH IN CARE CURRENTLY AND THE ONES THAT COME AFTER THEM. THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SUCCESS INCLUDE: OSUPPORT FOR HOMELESS YOUTH: OUR WORK HAS RECENTLY EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MORE SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS YOUTH. RECENT BILLS EXTENDED THE KEYS TO INDEPENDENCE (ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING DRIVER'S LICENSES AND CAR INSURANCE) TO HOMELESS YOUTH AND EXPANDED COLLEGE CAMPUS SUPPORTS FOR HOMELESS YOUTH. OTUITION AND FEE EXEMPTION: FCF HAS CONTINUOUSLY FOUGHT TO EXPAND LEGISLATION THAT PROVIDES FREE TUITION AND FEES AT IN-STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY FOR YOUTH WITH CHILD WELFARE INVOLVEMENT. THANKS IN PART TO OUR WORK, FLORIDA HAS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE TUITION ASSISTANCE IN THE COUNTRY. NOW ALL ELIGIBLE STUDENTS CAN ATTEND UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL FREE OF CHARGE UNTIL AGE 28.