TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill that includes providing $3.3 million to establish a foster-care pilot program and attract workers to investigate child-abuse reports.
The bill (SB 7012) would require the Department of Children and Families to establish a four-year pilot program that would place children with behavioral problems in family-like settings rather than in group homes.
It also would require the department to create a recruitment program for child protective investigators and case managers.
“I know that I’ll be following up with DCF regularly for updates to see what’s working, what’s not, and how we make sure that these services are available to the children in the system in hopes that they don’t repeat the cycle that has placed them in the system,” bill sponsor Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, said. Rep. Meg Weinberger, R-Palm Beach Gardens, has filed a similar House bill (HB 1127).
Author: News Service Florida
Photo: WFTV Staff/WFTV
Original Article: https://www.wftv.com/news/local/florida-senate-passes-bill-fund-foster-care-pilot-program/7EGPSRIZN5DANJL2W3FF53CDQM/