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Florida’s Children First Honors Local Foster Care Advocates at Annual Palm Beach Event; CBS 12’s Liz Quirantes, Jim and John Walsh Among Honorees

October 6th, 2012   No Comments   Advocacy

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Florida’s Children First (FCF), a statewide children’s advocacy organization, honored several Palm Beach County individuals for their efforts on behalf of foster children and other at-risk youth at its awards event this week, held at the Phillips Point Club in West Palm Beach.

More than 75 people attended this year’s FCF Palm Beach Reception on Oct. 4, which is an annual gathering of community leaders, attorneys, former foster children and others concerned about Florida’s foster care system. The event recognized five individuals from throughout the county including: Jim and John Walsh, CBS 12’s Liz Quirantes, Francis Jeune and Na’Kira Hodges.

Jim and John Walsh were recognized as this year’s “Children’s Advocates.” They serve as co-supervisors of the Foster Children’s Project of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. They also helped create the project, which represents foster children with a focus on permanency.

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Broward Bar Association Young Lawyers Hit Links for At-Risk Kids

October 2nd, 2012   No Comments   Advocacy

When members and friends of the Broward County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section hit the links Oct. 13, players will be doing more than vying for bragging rights or the chance at a new convertible. They’ll be raising money for Florida’s at-risk youth. The Boardroom Communications YLS Charity Golf tournament, now in its 25th year, will steer 100% of its net proceeds to Florida’s Children First, the state’s premier advocacy organization for at-risk youth, as well as the local Broward Chapter of Florida Youth SHINE, a youth-run, peer-driven organization works to change the culture of Florida’s foster care system. Read the entire article here.

“Everyone will have fun and many will be playing to win. But the Tournament showcases the best our profession and supporters have to offer,” said Howard Talenfeld, a prominent Fort Lauderdale child advocate attorney with event sponsor Colodny Fass Talenfeld Karlinsky Abate & Webb, and Founder and President of Florida’s Children First. “Between charity events, advocacy and pro bono representation, Florida attorneys are to be lauded for giving back to those who need it the most.”

Tournament-day check-in begins at 6:30 a.m., range opens at 7 a.m. and there will be a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Kelley / Uustal will host a Tee-Off Happy Hour on Thursday, October 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at American Social on Las Olas. For additional information, to register to play or to sponsor the event, visit www.ylsgolftournament.com.

Florida Law Spurred by Penn State University, Sandusky Child Sex Abuse Scandal Takes Effect

October 2nd, 2012   No Comments   Abuse, Advocacy

From the horrific child sex abuse, personal injury, damages and personal liability stemming from the Penn State University and Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal comes Florida’s abuse reporting law. Considered among the most stringent in the country, the new Protection of Vulnerable Persons law requires that anyone suspecting a child has been the victim of abuse must report their suspicions to the state Abuse Hotline (1-800-962-2873 – or 911 if the danger is immediate). Formerly, only if the suspected abuser was a parent or caregiver was reporting required.

This is a good change – one advocates, attorneys and guardians hope will keep at-risk children free of sexual or physical abuse. For far too long, we’ve operated under the false impression that abuser were those closest to the children. Sometimes, as we learned with Sandusky and Penn State, the abuser may be a trusted individual- but still not family or a caregiver.

“This law will help ensure all allegations of a child being harmed are immediately investigated by the appropriate agency,” David Wilkins, Department of Children and Families Secretary, said. “Reporting child abuse is our moral and legal obligation.”

Florida’s Children First to Host Palm Beach Event Honoring Community Heroes Committed to Helping Foster Children; CBS 12’s Liz Quirantes, Jim and John Walsh Among Honorees

October 1st, 2012   No Comments   Advocacy

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Florida’s Children First (FCF) will recognize Palm Beach County individuals for their tireless efforts to advocate for the state’s most vulnerable citizens at its annual Palm Beach Reception Oct. 4 at the Phillips Point Club in West Palm Beach. FCF is a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting foster children and other at-risk youth.

Dozens of Palm Beach County’s prominent business and community leaders, as well as individuals and families concerned about Florida’s foster care youth, are expected to attend to support the organization and its worthy cause.

This year’s Palm Beach Children’s Advocates are Jim and John Walsh, co?supervisers of the Foster Children’s Project of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.  Jim and John helped create the project, which represents foster children with a focus on permanency.
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Palm Beach Post: Children’s Services Council Cuts Tax Rate, Budget; Services the Same, Exec Promises

September 28th, 2012   No Comments   Advocacy, Funding

The Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County’s governing board voted unanimously this week to reduce the tax rate it assesses on county property owners by 2.3 percent, the Palm Beach Post reports. The result – about 2% less in funding, or $91.8 million. It’s total budget for 2012-13 will be $110 million, down just under 4%.

But less money does not translate to less service for children and families, CEO Tana Ebbole told the paper. “…[N]ew programs beginning within the coming months are proven programs that will help the council have an even bigger impact on the lives of Palm Beach County’s children and families.”

From its mission statement, “The Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County is an independent special district established by Palm Beach County voters, who dedicated a source of funding so more children are born healthy, remain free from abuse and neglect, are ready for kindergarten, and have access to quality afterschool and summer programming.”

Florida Department of Children & Families: We Didn’t Force Disabled, At-Risk Kids into Nursing Homes; Federal Findings Show Otherwise

September 15th, 2012   No Comments   Advocacy, Department of Children & Families (DCF)

Following a scathing federal report that revealed that the Florida Department of Children and Families had forced foster children and other vulnerable kids from their families and into state-contracted nursing homes – possibly as a cost-cutting measure, the DCF has voiced denial of the activity.

“Everyone, including this fragile population, deserves to be cared for with the least restricted means,” Liz Dudek, the secretary of the state Agency for Health Care Administration, or AHCA, said to reporters at a news conference this week. “That’s where we want children to be.”

The report from the U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division was scathing. It accused Florida healthcare agencies of “warehousing” sick, disabled and other at-risk children in adult nursing homes. In response, Dudek’s agency claimed it was in “full compliance” with federal laws that require governments to house and treat disabled people in community settings, whenever possible, the Miami Herald reported.

Read the full story here.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott Orders Agencies to Check on Disabled Children

September 11th, 2012   No Comments   Advocacy

A Federal Department of Justice investigation that found children suffering physical and mental physical disabilities being housed in Florida nursing homes alongside seniors has Florida child advocate attorneys and lawyers representing foster and abused children alarmed.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, saying he wasn’t aware of the situation until recently, ordered the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Children and Families to investigate.

The Justice Department noted that children in such situations often lack access to fundamental services, like education. They’re also limited from socializing with peers. This is a denial of their civil rights, DOJ found.

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Child Advocate Attorney Featured in Prominent South Florida Magazine

August 31st, 2012   No Comments   Uncategorized

Howard Talenfeld, a dedicated attorney and legal advocate for foster and at-risk children throughout Florida, and a partner with Fort Lauderdale law firm Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky, & Abate, has been featured in Lifestyle Magazine.

The story speaks of Talenfeld’s focus on addressing abuse and personal injury suffered by at-risk children, and his efforts to sue DCF (the Florida Department of Children and Families) and community-based care providers who often fail in their jobs to see to the needs of Florida’s kids

Read the profile here.

Contract Yanked by DCF From Palm Beach County Provider – Foster Child Advocates, Attorneys, Guardians Hope Move Proves Good for Kids

August 30th, 2012   No Comments   Advocacy, Department of Children & Families (DCF)

With all the horror stories of children who are victims of neglect, physical and sexual abuse and other crimes and personal injury against minors at private foster service agencies, it’s both disturbing and rewarding to hear that this week the Florida Department of Children and Families pulled one such contract.

DCF reportedly terminated its 10-year contract with Child and Family Connections, a Palm Beach County community-based agency hired to provide services to the county’s foster children. According to news reports, DCF cited “poor performance and ‘serious concerns’ by local judiciary officials.”

The review lasted several months and followed news of leadership changes at the organization, including the resignation in June of CEO Judith Karim. Reports also cited staff turnover and poor performance, the Palm Beach Post reported.

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Florida Children’s Rights Attorney: When Abused Fight Back – Sandusky Victim Files Suit Against Penn State

August 25th, 2012   No Comments   Abuse, Damage Claims

First, the victims in the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse case spoke up about the horror they endured at the hands of a trusted adult and admired college football coach. Now, one is fighting back against Penn State. The result of a court case could be damage claims for personal injury suffered by this victim – and possibly others. 

The victim, whose allegations in 2009 launched the investigation and criminal case, filed suit this week against the school, alleging the school knew of Sandusky’s actions and actively worked to shield him. Known as Victim 1, his lawsuit describes university administrators’ actions as ‘‘a function of (Penn State’s) purposeful, deliberate and shameful subordination of the safety of children to its economic self-interests, and to its interest in maintaining and perpetuating its reputation.’’

What happened at Penn State is a horrible, terrifying example of abuse of trust and power. What’s happening now is the expected and reasonable response by a victim who was abused by a sexual predator – and an organization that allegedly sought to cover up his crimes.

In June, Sandusky, 68, was convicted 45 counts for sexual abuse of 10 boys. Now, the school awaits a trial of its own.

Read the whole story here.

Department of Children and Families Pulls Child Investigation Unit from Citrus Sheriff

August 22nd, 2012   No Comments   Department of Children & Families (DCF)

In 2000, several Sheriff’s Offices across the state, including those in Hillsborough and Broward counties, began doing their own child protection services investigations. Citrus County began around 2007. No longer for Citrus, news organizations report. In a recent, first-of-its-kind move, the Florida Department of Children and Families announced it would pull the unit from the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office effective Oct. 31.

It’s not clear why the move was made, though some said it was a funding issue and one official said it was not performance related. According to Bay News 9, the Sheriff’s Office expected it would keep the unit following a decision by Gov. Rick Scott to keep Children Protection Investigations there.

“However, according to Bay News 9’s partner paper, the Citrus County Chronicle, an official with the Department of Children and Families informed the sheriff’s office that they were taking over due to budget concerns,” the news organization reported.

Florida Child Advocacy Lawyer Guest Post: ‘Right for Kids’ a First Step – Yet Florida’s At-Risk Kids Need More

August 8th, 2012   No Comments   Uncategorized

Gainesville, Florida-based child advocacy attorney and Florida’s Children First board member Gloria Fletcher offers the following commentary on the “Right For Kids” report…

As an advocate and attorney for foster children and at-risk kids in Gainesville, North Central Florida and throughout the state, I support any effort that advances the cause of protecting our most vulnerable citizens statewide. But the new “Right for Kids” report, while laudable in its the effort to chronicle improvements in Florida’s child welfare system, is to many overreaching in its feting Florida with praise and high rankings.

Frankly, as reported by the leading statewide child advocacy organization, Florida’s Children First, such ratings may leave residents believing “everything is fine” in Florida and our work is done here.

That simply is not the case.

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