DCF

First Lady Casey DeSantis on Wednesday morning announced a new state initiative to recruit military veterans to work for the Florida Department of Children and Families.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested former Department of Children and Families Child Protective Investigator, Spenser Trinkle, 31, for grand theft and fraud against a senior citizen. Trinkle turned himself in Sunday.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State lawmakers heard from the head of the Florida Department of Children and families Tuesday morning. The agency provided updates on the pandemic, addressing sexual abuse allegations from foster children and the ongoing fight to return millions in taxpayer dollars used for excessive salaries by the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Domestic violence and child abuse calls have nearly returned to normal levels after dropping dramatically at the start of the pandemic. The Secretary heard concerns from lawmakers regarding allegations of sexual abuse by foster parents. Poppell indicated DCF will begin utilizing its critical response team to review cases and establish a special investigations unit to better address alleged sexual abuse by foster care parents.

The Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that they reached a landmark agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF). This is the first Department of Justice settlement to address disability discrimination by a state child welfare agency. The ADA requires that child welfare agencies provide parents with disabilities an equal opportunity to access and benefit from their services. The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the nation’s goal of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. To read the Department of Justice and HHS’s previously issued technical assistance for child welfare agencies, please click here.

The Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that they reached a landmark agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF). This is the first Department of Justice settlement to address disability discrimination by a state child welfare agency. The ADA requires that child welfare agencies provide parents with disabilities an equal opportunity to access and benefit from their services. The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the nation’s goal of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. To read the Department of Justice and HHS’s previously issued technical assistance for child welfare agencies, please click here.

OCALA, Fla. A Florida man accused of trying to throw a Molotov cocktail at a child welfare office faces up to 10 years in federal prison. Tommy Lee Holt, 26, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Ocala federal court to possession of an unregistered destructive device in the form of an incendiary bomb, according to court records. Witnesses said Holt lit the wick of one device but dropped it before throwing it at the building. A deputy who apprehended Holt said the man was holding a lighter and wreaked of gasoline. A criminal complaint said Holt has five minor children, all of whom have been placed in foster care by the agency.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Low-income Floridians seeking benefits such as food stamps, temporary assistance or Medicaid coverage will no longer be able to apply for them in person because of the coronavirus outbreak. Department of Children and Families Secretary Chad Poppell said Wednesday the state was temporarily shutting down offices where people could apply or reapply in person for safety-net benefits. The state will direct people to either use an online portal or apply by phone. DCF will also allow people to drop off documents at a “secure drop box.” Poppell did not say how long the offices would be closed. But Poppell said the offices had only served a small percentage of residents seeking help.