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News: Florida DCF Lets Childcare Facilities Leave Complaints Behind

November 15th, 2011   No Comments   Abuse, Investigations

When a Brandenton childcare facility was cited numerous times for various violations in a single year, the owner moved sites – and left record of some 57 complaints behind, according to ABC Action News in Tampa. The move is completely legal, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families.

As parents, guardians and advocacy attorneys concerned with the safety of children, having information about caregiver licensing, security background checks or facility maintenance and upkeep is vital to avoiding personal injury, dangerous situations or potential abuse or harm. Yet, according to the news investigation, “Since DCF licenses the location and not the person who owns or operates the daycare, erasing complaints made against you is as easy as moving.” Read the entire story here.

Penn State Child Sex Case Reveals Lost Chances to Stop Abuse, Need for State Law to Report Abuse

November 14th, 2011   No Comments   Abuse

Outside observers, child advocates and attorneys following the Penn State University alleged child sexual abuse case of assistant coach Jerry Sandusky already see a pattern unfolding: adults keeping quiet and engaging in cover-up, children affected by a horrible personal injury growing in number, and a community left to wonder how this could happen. From Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to State College to around the nation, “The case has drawn comparisons to the child abuse scandals that rocked the Catholic Church, whose top officials are also accused of covering up child abuse over decades,” notes one paper.

The case also will bring to light the fact that, even though adults knew a child predator was afoot, no Pennsylvania law requires anyone alert the police. Florida has such a law. Sadly, in retrospect, Pennsylvania lawmakers might take this matter up during their next session.

That remains to be seen. In the meantime, the multi-point focus should be on helping the victims find the help they need, bringing all those involved to justice, and implementing safeguards and systems that help protect our most vulnerable citizens.

Florida Dept of Children and Families Backs Foster Kids’ Adoption

November 2nd, 2011   No Comments   Adoption, Department of Children & Families (DCF)

Florida wants its foster kids to find a home. During National Adoption Month, the state Department of Children and Families has launched an effort to help some 800 foster kids find permanent homes.

DCF Secretary David Wilkins launched the effort this week to get foster teenagers into permanent homes with loving parents. The issue is vital: Kids who “age out” or leave the state’s care when they become adults – and without having found foster homes – are at a greater risk of dropping out of school, being arrested or becoming homeless, according to a story in the Associated Press.

Read their stories on AdoptFlorida.org.  Read the original news story here.

Florida Senator Questions Department of Juvenile Justice Use of Psychotropic Drugs, Chemical Restraints on Kids

October 21st, 2011   No Comments   Uncategorized

A key senator is raising questions of the Department of Juvenile Justice apparently using psychotropic drugs and “chemical restraints” on youth in its lockup facilities statewide – and whether the state agency responds seriously enough to the issue. Agency officials have failed to acknowledge the situation, which infuriated Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs, according to WCTV-TV.

The action follows reports that some 34% of children in DJJ facilities are on psychotropic drugs, the station reported. Storms then demanded agency officials report on details of their prescribing practices and keep her updated her on their own investigation. One DJJ official said it is “against agency policy to use mind-altering drugs for discipline or punishment, which opponents of the practice describe as chemical restraint, the news organization reported.” Read the entire story here.

Florida Department of Children and Families Investigates Fort Myers Group Home

October 14th, 2011   No Comments   Aging Out, Department of Children & Families (DCF)

The Florida Department of Health inspected a Florida Department of Children and Families-regulated boys group home in Fort Myers after complaints if filth, cockroaches, mold and unsanitary conditions were reported. The home is for foster youth and boys with no other options.

Lee County inspectors gave the Source of Light and Home Development Center-run house a failing review, which led the state to temporarily stop placing new foster children there, the News-Press reported. One former resident, who recently aged out, said he was “grossed out.”

Soon after the DCF action, agency officials lifted the hold after inspectors gave the home an OK and the number of violations dropped to about a dozen, the paper reported. Read the entire story here.

Deaths of 8 Hillsborough Kids Raises Concerns About Privatization and DCF Oversight of Community Based Care Businesses

October 10th, 2011   No Comments   Abuse, Department of Children & Families (DCF), News & Events, Privatization

Eight kids dead in two years – kids who should have been protected while under the supervision of community based care provider, Hillsborough Kids Inc. The headlines out of Tampa Bay have shocked and sickened foster child advocates, attorneys and guardians concerned about the care kids receive across the state. The deaths in Tampa Bay – and others across the state have suffered serious personal injury while under the watch of similar organizations – could be a defining moment for privatization.

Read the entire story here.

Florida Foster Children’s Civil Rights Damage Award Case Used as Precedent in South Carolina Litigation

October 7th, 2011   No Comments   Abuse, Court Cases

The significant civil rights case argued by lead counsel Howard Talenfeld, partner with Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate, P.A., recently was persuasive in the 4th Circuit Court of South Carolina’s decision to change its prior decisions regarding social worker qualified immunity and substantive due process rights of foster children in Doe v. South Carolina Department of Social Services [597 F.3d 163 (4th Cir. 2010)].

In the original case, H.A.L. v. Foltz, No. 07-15791 (11th Cir. 12/15/2008) (11th Cir., 2008), the 11th Circuit Court in Atlanta let stand an action brought by three young boys sexually abused by two older boys in the same Florida foster home. The court agreed in this significant civil rights case that the state had violated the children’s Fourteenth Amendment substantive due process rights to physical safety and to be free from an unreasonable risk of harm. Talenfeld won for his clients a settlement of $2.925 million – and a change in how the state must treat foster children.

Read the brief here.

Following Barahona, Other Abuse Incidents, Higher Stakes Require Higher Pay at Florida Department of Children and Families

October 3rd, 2011   No Comments   Abuse, Court Cases, Department of Children & Families (DCF)

Following the torture and death of Nubia Barahona, and the serious personal injury to her twin brother, Victor, the Florida Department of Children and Families should realize that high stakes involved in these cases mean “it’s high time that DCF put a higher priority on the people who make life-and-death decisions for the state’s most vulnerable citizens,” writes the Orlando Sentinel.

The stakes are high, and state legislators are realizing this. In September, they heard from – and had strong words for – new Department of Children and Families Secretary David Wilkins for what an independent panel called “fatal ineptitude” in the Barahona abuse and death case.

With higher pay to those investigators tasked with keeping tabs on foster children might come better oversight. Read the entire story here.

Florida’s Children First Orlando Fundraiser Honors Those Who Help Foster Children

September 24th, 2011   No Comments   Advocacy, Fundraising & Support

Florida’s Children First, a statewide organization dedicated to protecting foster children and other at-risk youth, recognized Orlando individuals for their tireless work to advocate for the state’s most vulnerable citizens at its annual Fundraising and Awards Reception. About 80 of the area’s prominent business and community leaders, as well as individuals and families concerned about Florida’s foster care youth were in attendance to support the organization and its cause, raising nearly $5,000. Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Jeff Faine and Orlando Sentinel writer and foster parent George Diaz among those recognized.

The 2011 Orlando Child Advocates of the Year were Jeff Faine and Susan Khoury. Jeff is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers center and founder of The Faine House, a special home for youth aging out of the foster care system offering young adults a safe place to live while they complete their education or pursue career training.

Susan has been a Guardian ad Litem program director for the Orange County Bar Association for the past 23 years. She supervises more than 13 staff members who recruit, train and support approximately 700 lawyers in Orange County who volunteer to represent the best interest of children in the Orange County juvenile courts.

(more…)

Florida DCF Hires 100 Investigators in Move to Prevent Foster, Adopted Child Deaths, Personal Injury

September 21st, 2011   No Comments   Abuse, Court Cases, News & Events, Personal Injury

The Florida Department of Children and Families has hired 100 additional child investigators following the death this spring of Nubia Barahona, 10, and the critical, personal injury suffered by her twin brother, Victor. DCF administrators hope to reduce child investigator caseloads.

DCF has diverted millions of dollars from other areas to boost recruitment and training of child protective investigators. Secretary David Wilkins, speaking to legislative committees Tuesday, said his department has “reduced child investigator caseloads by 30 percent and plans to reduce them by another 30 percent,” notes WTVY.

“DCF is asking permission to redirect $35 million to revamp
technology and overhaul the abuse hotline,” the media outlet reported. “The Legislature provided $5 million last year to begin the process.”

Emotions Grow as Florida Senate Seeks to Curb Death, Personal Injury to Adopted, Foster Children

September 20th, 2011   No Comments   Abuse, Court Cases

In the wake of the death of adopted child, Nubia Barahona, and the critical, personal injury suffered by her twin brother, Victor, emotions rose among senators as they questioned why signs of danger were ignored. Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary David Wilkins said “breakdowns between investigators and supervisors kept the state from doing more to save” Nubia’s life, according to Capitol News. Jorge and Carmen Barahona, Nubia’s foster parents, were arrested for her death in February.

Wilkins says the department is open to any changes that would make Florida’s foster care system safer. Child advocacy attorneys and guardians statewide support changes that would prevent such lapses in the future.

Read the entire story here.

Florida DCF to Seek Budget Boost After Abuse, Death of Nubia Barahona

September 18th, 2011   No Comments   Abuse, Court Cases, Department of Juvenile Justice

The abuse, torture and murder of Nubia Barahona, and the critical injuries and personal injury suffered by her twin brother, Victor, in West Palm Beach in February have the Florida Department of Children and Families seeking budget increases from state lawmakers to bolster child-protective investigations.

Although such action is commendable, the cutting of the budget to eliminate Quality Assurance workers and DCF’s lack of emphasis on the quality of case work is concerning. This reduces department oversight capabilities of their lead agencies and providers.

Nubia Barahona was found decomposing in the bed of her adoptive father’s pick-up truck three days after she’d been killed. Victor was in the passenger seat in critical condition. Both had been bound and brutalized – even as state investigators were outside the family home being misled by their adoptive mother, Carmen Barahona. Now, both Carmen and husband Jorge Barahona face first-degree murder charges.

According to Flagler Live, “A DCF budget proposal submitted this week seeks tens of millions of dollars to add and retain child-protective investigators, improve technology and better coordinate efforts with local law enforcement…The budget documents outline problems with high turnover among investigators, large caseloads and low pay.”

Read the entire story here.

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