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Author ArchiveFlorida Youth SHINE Meets Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary David WilkinsJust over a week ago, 21 Florida Youth SHINE members had the opportunity to meet with DCF’s newly appointed Secretary – David Wilkins. At a lunch in Tallahassee, Secretary Wilkins and his wife, Tanya, took the time to speak with each member and learn firsthand from some of our state’s current and former foster youth.FYS was honored to be the first group of its kind to meet with the Secretary and look forward to building on this experience throughout Secretary Wilkins tenure. Broward Sheriff Settles Negligence Lawsuit During Trial; Recovery Almost $3 million in Law Suit Against BSO, Florida Department of Children & Family Services (DCF), Department of Health, Other Health Care ProvidersA $1.575 million settlement brought an abrupt end to a Fort Lauderdale trial that questioned the Broward Sheriff’s Office for its management of abuse allegations involving an infant who suffered injuries and brain damage, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.“Sheriff Lamberti did the right thing by resolving the 5-year-old child’s claim as a result of a lawsuit for a negligent protective investigation, which occurred during a prior administration,” said Howard Talenfeld, one of the plaintiff attorney’s trying the case. The newspaper went on to report that the insurance company for the Sheriff’s Office reached the deal Wednesday with attorneys for Jace Manning, now 5, who was left developmentally disabled after his skull was fractured in February 2006. Two months before the boy’s severe injuries, Jace was hospitalized with an unexplained bruise under his chin, and his grandmother implored authorities to remove him from the Coral Springs apartment where he lived with his mother and her boyfriend. Read the entire story here. Sun-Sentinel: New DCF Chief Wilkins has ‘Big Shoes to Fill’From the Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board: Florida’s recently-appointed Secretary of the Department of Children and Families David Wilkins has some big shoes to fill. He is replacing George Sheldon who, along with his predecessor Bob Butterworth, made significant progress in reforming the state’s foster care system. Under the previous two secretaries, Florida greatly reduced the number of children in foster care and made us one of the nation’s leaders in the number of adopted kids. Both Butterworth and Sheldon were guided by the direct voice of experience, the youths in state care. We urge Secretary Wilkins to continue listening to youths, to keep up the momentum in reforming foster care and to pay special attention to the well-being of kids while they’re waiting for a permanent home. The Legislature will have the opportunity to give kids in state care a chance at living more normal lives both while in care and as young adults making their way in the world. The new secretary’s leadership on such issues will be vital. Advocates Laud Sheldon’s DCF Legacy, Hope New Head Continues GainsOutgoing Department of Children and Families head George Sheldon’s announced departure leaves behind a vast legacy. He cut the number of kids in foster care in Florida. He increased the number of adoptions to among the most in the nation. He also installed transparency in government, where people once operated behind a veil of secrecy.With this week’s naming of former business executive David Wilkins to head the DCF, the world of advocates is hopeful these legacies continue. According to the Miami Herald, Florida’s new social services chief will look a lot like the state’s new governor: a corporate executive with conservative social roots. Wilkins, a businessman who helps lead a social service group with strong Christian fundamentalist roots, will replace Sheldon, a former state prosecutor widely regarded as a reformer. Wilkins, a member of the governor’s transition team, is the finance chief of the Florida Baptist Children’s Home, a private agency that allows only “professing Christians” to adopt children in its care. Florida’s Children First to Honor Child Advocacy Award Winners at Annual Event at the Tower ClubFlorida’s Children First (FCF), the state’s preeminent child advocacy organization, will hold its annual Broward Awards Reception on February 24 (5:30 pm) to honor those in our community who advocate for the rights of at-risk and foster children and provide a voice to those who don’t have one. FCF President and children’s rights lawyer Howard Talenfeld will lead the event, along with FCF Executive Director Christina Spudeas. Jesse Diner and Howard Talenfeld at FCF event “This year’s awards event will focus on our efforts to build and support Florida Youth Shine, a statewide group of foster children and former foster children who advocate to improve Florida’s foster care system,” said Talenfeld. “This year’s honorees have been instrumental in improving Florida’s foster care system and advocating for the children.” This year George Sheldon, Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families, will be receiving the Children’s Advocate Award. He has been an advocate for youth aging out of foster care, a friend to FCF, and has worked tirelessly to improve the agency. WPLG Local 10 Anchor Kristi Krueger will also receive the Media Advocate Award for her selfless service to FCF and other non-profit organizations. (more…) DCF Review: Injuries, Hints Led to Concerns Before Death of Boy, 2Despite medical experts’ suspicions that 2-year-old Deondray Ashe had growing issues in his home, doctors couldn’t be certain that injuries revealed before his death in June were the result of abuse.
While state child welfare officials had expressed some concerns about Deondray’s physical condition, newly released details show they had no proof, either, the Ledger noted. DCF: South Florida Child Abuse Reports UpChild-abuse cases have increased in South Florida, according to reports from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). This has department officials, child and foster care advocates, and guardians calling for greater awareness.The news follows a year when DCF investigated some challenging, difficult, and by some reports, gruesome cases, according to a recent article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. In Broward County, cases rose to 15,748 in 2010, compared with 14,876 the year before, according to the Sun-Sentinel’s report of the DCF numbers. In Palm Beach County, cases rose to 12,183 — up from 11,947 the previous year, the paper reported. “You’ll see a lot of domestic violence,” DCF spokesman Mark Riordan said in the paper. “That’s where the cycle is perpetuated. It’s a learned response.” Governor Crist Names Alan Abramowitz to Head Florida’s Guardian Ad Litem OfficeDecember 31st, 2010
 No Comments  Department of Children & Families (DCF), Guardian ad Litem & Representation, News & EventsGovernor Charlie Crist has appointed long-time Department of Children and Families program head and juvenile justice attorney Alan Abramowitz as executive director of the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office. Abramowitz will succeed Theresa Flury, for a term to run until December 8, 2013. Abramowitz to head Florida GAL Currently, Abramowitz directs the statewide Family Safety Program Office within the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). “With 15 years of experience in social service and juvenile justice, Alan has continually worked to improve the lives of children who depend on the child welfare system,” Governor Crist said. “He is an effective and caring advocate for the young people of Florida, and I am confident the Guardian Ad Litem Program will excel under his leadership.” Florida Bar News – Tracey McPharlin honored for child advocacyFlorida’s Children First honored child advocate and attorney Tracey McPharlin at its annual Palm Beach Child Advocate Awards Reception.The event had approximately 100 attendees and raised more than $27,000, which will go toward FCF’s child advocacy efforts across the state. McPharlin passed away just 10 days after the ceremony on November 6, 2010, in Ft. Lauderdale following a battle with cancer. Advocates: Florida No Fan of Foster Children, Facebook Tagging
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