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Archive for the ‘Advocacy’ Category
North Florida and Gainesville foster child advocate attorney and Florida’s Children First Board Member Gloria Fletcher wrote the following commentary on the lasting impact of December’s Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting – and the need to press for real change in the laws and statutes that can better protect Americans.
Newtown, Aurora, Sanford, Tucson, Blacksburg, Fort Hood, Littleton. The names of these towns and locations – and the haunted memories of the killings committed there – have been seared into the collective American consciousness like scars on our psyches. As a North Florida and Gainesville foster child advocate attorney who’s seen the abuse of at-risk and foster children, I’m as saddened and heartbroken as any witness anywhere.
We’re all left to find solace. To soothe our pain and even our guilt following each, we promise change – to gun laws, to access to firearms by those deemed incompetent by the courts or physicians, to information-sharing and protections that may help prevent such incidents from ever happening again. We’re emboldened by a purpose-driven mission to right our course.
Then, over time, our outrage fades. Inevitably, something else – a “fiscal cliff” debate, a bowl season, the malaise of summer, the deceptive healing power of time itself – overtakes our seemingly limited capacity to sustain outrage and follow through on our demands for change.
We let our guard down. We forget. And it happens again.
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In the wake of the death of Marie Freyre – the 14-year-old Tampa child with cerebral palsy forcibly removed from her home and placed in an adult nursing home, where she soon died – the Florida Department of Children and Families now is pushing to curb the practice of steering foster kids to such institutionalized care.
Administrators are demanding “high-level approval” before kids can be admitted to a nursing home or moved from one to another. The agency also will recruit foster parents with the skills to care for the state’s most fragile and at-risk children.
Christina Spudeas, executive director at Florida’s Children First, the state’s premier child advocacy organization, told the paper that DCF must do more than slow the move of kids into nursing homes. It must remove them all children from such institutions.
“It’s a travesty,” Spudeas told the Herald. “There is no doubt at all that children need proper supports in the home environment.”
The original policies not only seemingly made little sense – in Marie’s case, taking her from her mother, who’d provided care for all her life. In-home care and oversight can be far less expensive than in-facility services.
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From caring as a youth for his special needs sister, Bess, to championing the rights of Florida’s at-risk populations facing physical abuse, sexual abuse, personal injury and wrongful death claims, Howard Talenfeld has made helping those in need his passion and professional practice.
His work was profiled recently in ‘Personal Experience Drives People to Pursue Philanthropy,’ an article in the South Florida Business Journal’s annual Giving Guide.
“Growing up, working very closely with Bess from when she was a child, I later discovered I had the opportunity to work with and fight for the lives of those in need,” said Talenfeld, president and chairman of Florida’s Children First and a shareholder with Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky, Abate & Webb, in Fort Lauderdale.
“What drove me was knowing there are so many people in Florida who are like Bess,” he told the Business Journal. “Our lives can be so much more useful fighting for these folks than just fighting about money.”
Read the entire story here.
Child care advocates and those who fight for the legal rights of at-risk children have watched in horror as these kids have suffered physical abuse, sexual abuse, personal injury and wrongful death in various settings while under state care. So the Miami Herald editorial chastising the state for the practice of placing disabled youths in adult nursing homes is all the more alarming.
The editorial began: “Here’s how the state of Florida justifies its practice of warehousing severely medically challenged children in nursing homes: ‘They are strictly regulated to ensure that the appropriate services are provided specifically for children,’ noted part of a defensive statement from the state Agency for Health Care Administration. ‘They provide a safe, secure and enriching environment for the children in their care.’
“State health officials, then, might deign to consider Doris Freyre’s experience,” the paper continued, “Marie, her profoundly disabled daughter, was sent to a nursing home at the insistence of social workers. Marie was 14. The Tampa mom had lovingly cared for her at home since birth…Marie died in that Miami Gardens nursing home, struggling to breathe. None of the staff members thought enough to call a doctor.”
Read the entire editorial here. Then decide for yourself if warehousing at-risk kids is any solution.
Howard Talenfeld, a nationally recognized children’s rights attorney and committed supporter of foster child causes, has been named a 2012 Key Partners honoree by the South Florida Business Journal. The annual event recognizes South Florida’s top attorneys and accountants, based on demonstrated success over the past 18 months. He and the other honorees were recognized at a Nov. 15 reception in Miami.
Talenfeld is a Shareholder with Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky, Abate & Webb in Fort Lauderdale. He was honored for his ongoing industry leadership, commitment to community involvement, professionalism and his establishment of a successful niche practice area representing the rights of foster children and disabled persons.
Throughout his career, he has focused his legal practice on protecting the rights of these vulnerable individuals in civil rights cases, personal injury cases and systemic reform litigation.
Over the past 18 months, Talenfeld has made seven figure damage recoveries on behalf of foster children who were abused and neglected in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Family Services and its private agencies.
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Florida’s Children First (FCF) recognized local individuals for their tireless efforts to advocate for the state’s most vulnerable citizens at its annual Northeast Florida Reception Nov. 15 at the University Club in Jacksonville. FCF is a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting foster children and other at-risk youth.
The 2012 Honorees include Brenda Stewart of Family Support Services, Carolyn King of the Nassau Guardian ad Litem Office, and the Justice Coalition. Tina and Burton Scaff will also receive the Foster & Adoptive Family of the Year award.
Additionally, Shawna Nealey and Malcolm Bright were recognized as this year’s Youth Honorees.
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A sold-out crowd of 144 golfers and dozens of supporters of foster children, at-rick youth and other vulnerable Floridians hit the links in October for the Broward County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section’s (YLS) 25th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. The event raised a record $31,000 for its benefitting charity, Florida’s Children First (FCF). Over the past year, the Broward YLS has raised more than $60,000 for FCF, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing the rights of at-risk children, especially those in foster care.
“As young lawyers, we want to be engaged in our community, and give back whenever possible. The funds raised last week will be used to support an organization that makes an invaluable difference in the lives of many Florida children.”
YLS will present a check to FCF at a luncheon ceremony on Dec. 6, 2012 at the Tower Club. For the past 25 years, YLS has hosted local charity events with all net proceeds going directly to selected nonprofit organizations. YLS also hosted a Tee-Off Happy Hour, sponsored by Kelley / Uustal, on Oct. 4, 2012, at American Social on Las Olas to kick off the event and raise additional funds for FCF. South Florida public relations firm Boardroom Communications served as the event’s Exclusive Title Sponsor. Boardroom has won awards from JAFCO, FCF and Legal Aid Service of Broward County for its outstanding pro bono efforts.
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Orlando, Fla. – Florida’s Children First (FCF) will recognize Orlando individuals for their tireless efforts to advocate for the state’s most vulnerable citizens at its annual Orlando Reception Oct. 17 at Shakai Sushi Lounge in downtown Orlando. FCF is a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting foster children and other at-risk youth.
Among the evening’s honorees is Pat Williams, Senior Vice President of the NBA’s Orlando Magic. Pat is a renowned motivational speaker and supporter of children’s issues. He and his wife, Ruth, are also parents of 19 children, including 14 adopted.
The event will also recognize Chief Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. of the 9th Judicial Circuit Court. Chief Judge Perry diligently fights to protect and uphold the law, benefitting the citizens and youth of Central Florida.
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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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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.
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.”
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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West Palm Beach, FL – April 10, 2026 – WFLX Fox 29- Florida foster homes see dramatic 23% drop as advocates worry about future of at-risk youth According to a national foster care survey, the number of foster homes in Florida has taken a dramatic 23% drop in the last three years, and child advocates fear this trend could continue.
Tallahassee, FL – August 27, 2025 – WJHG News Channel 7- New law makes moving easier for Florida foster families Moving is stressful enough, but for foster families in Florida, it’s often meant starting from scratch.
Miami, FL – August 14, 2025 – NBC 6 South Florida- North Miami couple arrested after kids found ‘severely malnourished’: Police A North Miami couple was arrested for child neglect after authorities said their two young children were found “severely malnourished” and one had arm and leg fractures.
Yorkville, IL – August 12, 2025 – Fox 32- Illinois lawmaker, DCFS dispute legality of intern investigators in child abuse cases An Illinois lawmaker is accusing the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) of breaking state law by allowing uncertified interns to conduct child abuse and neglect investigations, while the agency says all investigators meet legal certification requirements.
Miami Gardens, FL – August 5, 2025 – CBS News- Miami Gardens mom faces neglect charges after nine children found living in “deplorable conditions,” police say A Miami Gardens mom is facing multiple counts of child neglect after police discovered nine children living in a home in “deplorable conditions,” according to Miami Gardens police.
Riviera Beach, FL – July 7, 2025 – CBS 12 News- DCF won’t comment after 7-year-old girl stomped to death; mom charged with murder It’s the agency with the most important mission in the state: keeping kids safe.
Tallahassee, FL – July 4, 2025 – WCJB- New Florida laws expand access to care for children with disabilities Children with disabilities across Florida will soon see more support, thanks to two new state laws aimed at improving access to care.
Clewiston, FL – May 27, 2025 – Fox 4- Clewiston city director arrested, accused of sending explicit texts to child A City of Clewiston operations director is facing serious charges – accused of sending sexually explicit texts to a 12-year-old girl.
Miami, FL – April 30, 2025 – NBC Miami- ‘Wish you well in hell’: Survivor quotes Cardi B as nurse gets life in adoptive daughter’s murder A Miami-Dade nurse convicted in the 2018 death of her 7-year-old adoptive daughter and the abuse of her other two adopted children was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday.
Orlando, FL – April 29, 2025 – WFTV 9- Records show Florida knew about defects in application portal for DCF benefits For more than a year, Florida’s Department of Children and Families has been telling 9 Investigates there are no problems with the state’s website for SNAP and Medicaid benefits.
Springfield, IL – April 25, 2025 – Capitol News Illinois- Illinois community-based foster homes face insurance ‘crisis’ Insurance companies are reducing the scope of coverage for some community foster agencies in Illinois, leading to higher costs, diminished coverage and fewer options for agencies who say a continuance of the trend could lead to closures.
Miami, FL – April 1, 2025 – WPLG Local 10- Disgraced ex-NYC councilman caught with child sex abuse videos at Miami airport, feds say A former member of the New York City Council — who left office in disgrace leading up to a federal bribery conviction — is now in the feds’ crosshairs again: this time in South Florida.
Cook County, IL – March 24, 2025 – WCBU- Illinois’ child welfare agency failed to produce critical reports after child deaths The state agency responsible for keeping Illinois’ most vulnerable children safe has failed to produce legally required public reports after examining what went wrong in hundreds of cases of child deaths and thousands of serious injuries, the Illinois Answers Project reports.
Chicago, IL – March 22, 2025 – ABC 7 Chicago- Illinois child welfare agency’s reporting on abuse and deaths scrutinized The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is now under scrutiny for its lack of proper reporting on child abuse and neglect cases, according to a report from the Illinois Answers Project.
Tallahassee, FL – March 9, 2025 – WFSU- Two Florida state agencies announce new tools for combating human trafficking Two state agencies are working to identify kids vulnerable to sex trafficking before they’re victimized. The Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have announced an enhanced screening tool and new grant funding for law enforcement.
Chicago, IL – January 31, 2025 – NPR Illinois- DCFS launches new app for caseworkers and families The state of Illinois is rolling out a new app to help parents of abused and neglected children better communicate with their Department of Children and Family Services [DCFS] caseworkers and with other service providers.
Broward County, FL – January 30, 2025 – The Sun-Sentinel- Broward Sheriff’s Office will stop staffing juvenile detention center in May Blaming staff shortages and an unsafe building to work in, the Broward Sheriff’s Office will no longer send deputies to work at the state’s Department of Justice’s Juvenile Assessment Center.
Vernon, CT – November 19, 2024 – WLBT- Woman left 4 kids home alone in ‘filth’ for days while she took a trip to New York, police say A woman in Connecticut is accused of leaving her four kids alone for days while she took a trip to New York, according to authorities.
Flagler County, FL – November 10, 2024 – CBS 12- Flagler County middle school employee accused of attacking disabled student An employee at Indian Trails Middle School has been accused of child abuse after she was caught on camera striking a disabled student in an unprovoked attack.
Chicago, Il – November 8, 2024 – CBS News Chicago- Troubled teen who escaped DCFS caseworkers was not placed into secure facility after being found A 17-year-old with a violent history escaped from his caseworkers in Chicago last month, and it turns out the foster child in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was not placed in a secure facility recommended to the state after being brought back into custody.
Jacksonville, FL – September 20, 2024 – Action News Jax- Duval County teacher under investigation after 8-year-old is injured A Beauclerc Elementary School teacher is being investigated by Duval County Public Schools after a physical incident with an 8-year-old student.
Miami, FL – September 3, 2024 – Miami Herald- Rising costs of care could strain funding for Florida program for brain-damaged kids Facing withering criticism from parents, advocates, lawmakers and insurance regulators, Florida’s compensation program for children born with catastrophic brain injuries opened its bank account three years ago and improved the lives of some of the state’s most disabled children.
Orlando, FL – September 2, 2024 – Orlando Sentinel- Autism drowning deaths prompt push for children’s specialized swim lessons Drowning is the number one cause of death for kids with autism and Florida leads the nation in fatalies.
Aventura, FL – August 5, 2024 – WSVN News 7- Parents arrested after leaving toddler in hot car while they shopped at Target in Aventura, police say A man and woman were arrested on child abuse charges after allegedly leaving their 2-year-old child in a hot car while they shopped at Target in Aventura.
Austin, TX – July 18, 2024 – WPLG Local 10- Largest housing provider for migrant children engaged in pervasive sexual abuse, US says Employees of the largest housing provider for unaccompanied migrant children in the U.S. repeatedly sexually abused and harassed children in their care for at least eight years, the Justice Department said Thursday, alleging a shocking litany of offenses that took place as the company amassed billions of dollars in government contracts.
Daytona Beach, FL – July 9, 2024 – WESH 2- Police: Man arrested in Daytona Beach after dangling, dropping child off second-floor resort balcony A 31-year-old man was arrested on Saturday after allegedly dropping a 4-year-old off the second floor of a Daytona Beach resort, according to an affidavit from the police department.
Palm Coast, FL – July 7, 2024 – WSVN 7- Florida woman charged with child neglect after good Samaritan finds 2-year-old son wandering near busy road alone A good Samaritan found a 2-year-old boy wandering in a Florida neighborhood all alone, and now the child’s mother is facing charges after she was found fast asleep inside their home.
Homestead, FL – May 16, 2024 – WPLG Local 10- Homestead couple accused of murdering their 6-month-old baby girl Two 24-year-old parents brought their 6-month-old to Homestead Hospital in cardiac arrest Sunday afternoon; doctors found that the baby had no pulse and signs of severe child abuse, according to police.
Brevard County, FL – May 16, 2024 – WESH 2 Orlando- Family sues Brevard County day care for alleged child abuse and negligence An incident at a Brevard County day care involving a child and teacher has led to more allegations of child abuse and negligence after the Department of Children and Families studied surveillance video.
Chicago, IL – May 7, 2024 – WSIL – TV- Lawsuit alleges pervasive child sexual abuse at Illinois juvenile detention centers for decades A group of 95 people filed a lawsuit in Illinois on Monday alleging they were sexually abused as children in juvenile detention centers across the state for over two decades.
Wildwood, FL – May 4, 2024 – Fox 35 Orlando- Florida DCF worker accused of abusing 11-year-old foster child A Kids Central employee was arrested after he aggressively threw an 11-year-old foster child onto a couch and hurt her, according to an arrest affidavit from the Wildwood Police Department.
Tallahassee, FL – May 3, 2024 – The Tampa Bay Times – Nearly 600,000 Florida kids shed from government health care, study says Nearly 600,000 Florida children lost their government-provided health insurance last year after the federal government ended the national COVID-related health emergency, more than any other state except Texas, according to a newly released report by the Georgetown Center for Children and Families.
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A Child Advocate Attorney Considers Sandy Hook’s Legacy and the Commitment to Real Change
North Florida and Gainesville foster child advocate attorney and Florida’s Children First Board Member Gloria Fletcher wrote the following commentary on the lasting impact of December’s Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting – and the need to press for real change in the laws and statutes that can better protect Americans.
Newtown, Aurora, Sanford, Tucson, Blacksburg, Fort Hood, Littleton. The names of these towns and locations – and the haunted memories of the killings committed there – have been seared into the collective American consciousness like scars on our psyches. As a North Florida and Gainesville foster child advocate attorney who’s seen the abuse of at-risk and foster children, I’m as saddened and heartbroken as any witness anywhere.
We’re all left to find solace. To soothe our pain and even our guilt following each, we promise change – to gun laws, to access to firearms by those deemed incompetent by the courts or physicians, to information-sharing and protections that may help prevent such incidents from ever happening again. We’re emboldened by a purpose-driven mission to right our course.
Then, over time, our outrage fades. Inevitably, something else – a “fiscal cliff” debate, a bowl season, the malaise of summer, the deceptive healing power of time itself – overtakes our seemingly limited capacity to sustain outrage and follow through on our demands for change.
We let our guard down. We forget. And it happens again.
(more…)