FLORIDA'S CHILDREN FIRST INC

IMPROVING GENERAL CHILD WELFARE HOW WE IMPROVE OUTCOMES: WE ACHIEVE SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE THROUGH EXECUTIVE BRANCH ADVOCACY BY WORKING WITH AGENCIES WHEN THEY WRITE THEIR POLICIES, PROCEDURES, OR RULES. WE IMPROVE SYSTEMS BY MAKING THE GENERAL PUBLIC AWARE OF PROBLEMS TO MOBILIZE THEIR HELP AND SUPPORT IN MAKING IMPROVEMENTS. WE ACHIEVE CHANGE BY TRAINING PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE STATE ON NEW PROCEDURES OR LAW - OR EDUCATING THEM ON CRITICAL ISSUES SO THEY ARE AWARE OF THE NEED FOR CHANGE. 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 TO OUR CREDIT. ADVOCACY INITIATIVES ADVOCACY DRIVES OUR ACTIVITIES AT ALL LEVELS. ON A LEGISLATIVE LEVEL, WE PROPOSE, DRAFT, AND COMMENT ON NEW LEGISLATION, PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENTATION ON THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF PROPOSED BILLS ON THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND CARE PROVIDERS WE FILE AMICUS BRIEFS TO ASSERT CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND AID IN THE APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEYS FOR THEM. WE SERVE AS ADVISORS TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, OFFERING INSIGHTS ON NEW RULES, AND PARTICIPATE ON TASK FORCES, PANELS, AND FORUMS THAT SHAPE POLICY. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS EVERY YEAR, WE OFFER A NEW SERIES OF FREE TRAINING WORKSHOPS THAT KEEP THOSE WHO INTERACT WITH, OR CARE FOR, YOUTH INFORMED ON CURRENT ISSUES AND CHANGES IN BENEFITS, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES. PUBLICATIONS WE PRODUCE, UPDATE, AND DISTRIBUTE FREE FACT SHEETS, GUIDEBOOKS, AND INFORMATIONAL TOOLS ON CRITICAL ISSUES INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND YOUTH ALIKE NEED. PUBLICATIONS ARE ALSO WRITTEN AND DESIGNED TO BE YOUTH-FRIENDLY SO YOUTH CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CONTENT AND ACCESS BENEFITS AND SERVICES. HIGH-QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION WE PROVIDE INDEPENDENT, PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE, BRIEF ADVICE, AND QUALITY REPRESENTATION TO ENSURE MORE YOUTH RECEIVE THE REPRESENTATION THEY NEED AND DESERVE AND TO BE SURE THEY HAVE A VOICE IN THE PROCEEDINGS THAT SHAPE THEIR LIVES. FCF IMPACTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: ALL OF OUR WORK HAS MADE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN IN FLORIDA. MORE IMPORTANTLY, 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. 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. BY IMPACTING LAWS & POLICIES WE HAVE: "SECURED THE OPTION FOR YOUTH TO REMAIN IN FOSTER CARE UNTIL AGE 21. "PAVED THE WAY FOR FREE IN-STATE COLLEGE TUITION UNTIL AGE 28 FOR YOUTH FROM FOSTER CARE, RELATIVE CARE, OR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. "MADE OBTAINING A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND INSURANCE POSSIBLE FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE. "ENHANCED YOUTH REPRESENTATION IN COURT DECISIONS. "REMOVED BARRIERS TO NORMALCY, ALLOWING PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES LIKE SPORTS AND SLEEPOVERS - BECOMING A NATIONAL MODEL. "SPEARHEADED LAWS TO SUPPORT SIBLING UNITY. "REDUCED OVERMEDICATION AND UNNECESSARY PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG PRESCRIPTIONS. "FOUGHT FOR RIGHTS OF SEX-TRAFFICKED CHILDREN, ENSURING THEY RECEIVE APPROPRIATE SERVICES. "ENSURED YOUTH ARE EDUCATED ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS, LAWS AND RESOURCES IN PLACE TO PROTECT THEM. "SECURED CRITICAL HOUSING RESOURCES FOR FOSTER YOUTH. ADDITIONALLY, "38,335 + PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EDUCATED AND TRAINED ON IMPORTANT CHILD WELFARE TOPICS "60 PUBLICATIONS CREATED ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND VITAL ISSUES IMPACTING THEM "40 AMICUS BRIEFS FILED "52 CHILD PROTECTION BILLS PASSED, DRAFTED, OR SUPPORTED "110,547 + HOURS OF YOUTH ADVOCACY, TRAINING, EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT PROVIDED "8,482,732 ,732 IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DONATED TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND "18,982 PRO BONO HOURS HELPING CHILDREN BY FILLING A CRITICAL VOID IN THE CHILD WELFARE ARENA, EACH YEAR OUR WORK BENEFITS CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY IN WAYS THAT ARE SUBSTANTIAL AND LIFE-CHANGING FOR THOUSANDS.