New DCF dashboard shows 3,100+ people in Duval County have been treated for mental health emergencies this year
The Department of Children and Families has introduced a new dashboard that tracks The Baker Act to help get a better idea of how many people need mental health treatment in Florida.
Proposed bill could make April โHot Car Death Prevention Monthโ after 10-month-old died in July
Six months after 10-month-old Ariya Paige died from being left in a hot vehicle in late July, her family is pushing lawmakers to create legislation that can protect and save other children from the heartbreaking tragedy they endured.
I-TEAM: Baker County Sheriffโs Office found hospital staff reported crimes late, altered evidence
In a harsh email sent this past May, the Baker County Sheriffโs Office found the staff at the Northeast Florida State Hospital, or NEFSH, reported crimes late and destroyed or altered evidence in criminal investigations.
Complaints show concerns over safety of Jacksonville retention ponds
Police pulled the body of 4-year-old Gavin Douyon out of a neighborhood retention pond on the Northside of Jacksonville on Monday night. Municipal records, Department of Children and Families reports and previous news reports show a pattern of children drowning in the wastewater structures across Florida.
DCF secretary resigns; other to Florida leadership posts shuffled
Harris has been serving as interim secretary at the Agency for Health Care Administration, where she has held a series of posts since 2005. Former Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Secretary Mary Mayhew resigned in October to head the Florida Hospital Association. An attorney, Marstiller once worked as the Agency for Health Care Administrationโs chief appellate counsel, according to the governorโs office. Jeb Bush, who appointed her interim secretary of the state Department of Management Services in 2002 and as secretary of the Department Business and Professional Regulation in 2005. In a prepared statement Friday, Marstiller said she looks forward to her new position at the Agency for Health Care Administration.
3-year-old girl found shot in Jacksonville neighborhood
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Detectives are investigating what led to a 3-year-old girl being shot Wednesday night on McMillan Street, just off Kings Road. According to Jacksonville Sheriffโs Office Lt. Damone, officers were called to McMillan Street at about 6 p.m. in reference to a shooting. They found the young girl suffering from one gunshot wound to her leg and she was taken to a hospital for treatment. โMy heart was sad about the 3-year-old that got shot. We got to get out in the streets and walk the streets and make a difference.โAdThe young girl was said to be in stable condition.
4-year-old boy reported missing, endangered in Marion County found safe
MARION COUNTY, Fla. โ The Marion County Sheriffโs Office issued an alert Saturday for a 4-month-old boy who was believed to be missing and endangered. Just after 1 p.m., the Sheriffโs Office said the boy was found safe. According to the Sheriffโs Office, the boy was reported missing after he was last seen on Nov. 24. He was believed to be with his mother, Jennifer Rottmann. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) issued a pick-up order for the young boy, but were not able to locate him until Saturday, the Sheriffโs Office said.
Medicaid enrollment surge means major workload for state
The department generally reviews Medicaid beneficiariesโ eligibility each year. The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has indicated it will issue guidance in the coming weeks about how state Medicaid officials should proceed with the annual reviews. Floridaโs Medicaid program, which provides services to poor, elderly and disabled beneficiaries, had 4.417 million people enrolled as of Oct. 30, according to Agency for Health Care Administration data. AHCA runs much of the Medicaid program, but the Department of Children and Families handles issues such as eligibility determinations. They also are applying for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, which provides financial assistance to unemployed families, and a federal food-assistance program.
Family identifies 6-year-old girl fatally stabbed in home
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Loved ones of a 6-year-old girl -- who died after Jacksonville police said she was found stabbed in an Arlington home -- have identified her as Atarah. Someone who wrote that Atarah was a bright young girl with a contagious smile and a huge heart, created a GoFundMe account to raise money to help the family with funeral costs, which as of Thursday had raised over $7,000. Originally, police reported the child was stabbed with a kitchen knife by a woman, who was hospitalized after she then stabbed herself. DCF reported that the mothers parental rights were previously terminated and that she was visiting the childs home. A total of six people were in the home at the time, police said.
State education leaders working to ensure mental health resources for schools
State education leaders are working to make sure mental healthcare is accessible to students and families this upcoming school year. This week, the states Department of Education and the Department of Children and Families presented a framework for how school districts can develop their mental health plans. Mental health is more important than ever as we battle a pandemic, and that care needs to be accessible to everyone. It also includes $5.5 million for youth mental health first aid. State law required that school districts should submit their approved plans to the education commissioner by Aug. 1.
Interlachen woman charged in illegal adoption scheme
INTERLACHEN, Fla. - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has announced the arrest of an Interlachen woman on charges of organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, illegally placing a child for adoption and perjury. A couple from Ohio visited Scee to meet a disabled boy and were told the boy was available for adoption. While the boy was in Ohio, investigators said Scee received SNAP benefits and daycare assistance for the child totaling nearly $4,000. According to investigators, Scee ordered the boy back to Florida on Oct. 31, 2017, for her final adoption hearing, and at the hearing, Scee was granted the adoption. Scee received no money from the Ohio couple, investigators said.
Interlachen woman charged with illegal adoption scheme
INTERLACHEN, Fla. - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has announced the arrest of an Interlachen woman on charges of organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, illegally placing a child for adoption and perjury. A couple from Ohio visited Scee to meet a disabled boy and were told the boy was available for adoption. While the boy was in Ohio, Scee received SNAP benefits and day care assistance for the child totaling nearly $4,000. Scee ordered the boy back to Florida on Oct. 31, 2017, for her final adoption hearing, and at the hearing, Scee was granted the adoption. Scee received no money from the Ohio couple.
Audit points to erroneous refugee payments
The state Department of Children and Families, which administers the Refugee Cash Assistance program examined in the audit, attributed the errors to improperly trained workers. The program includes limits, such as preventing people from receiving cash assistance through other programs while also getting the Refugee Cash Assistance payments. Florida has the largest refugee program in the nation. Extrapolating those findings, auditors estimated the state made $114,504 in erroneous payments during the period. DCF said that during the audit period, the state had hired additional, non-specialized staff to assist with processing the large caseload.
Family protests woman's treatment at mental facility
MACCLENNY, Fla. โ The family of a woman being treated at a local mental hospital says sheโs being abused and needs help. Thatโs why her family and others protested outside the facility where Ben Aharon has been since July, after spending time at another mental health facility in Central Florida. But the spokesperson did say the hospital and all state mental health treatment facilities take the care of their residents extremely seriously. DCF officials said any allegations of abuse reported to the Florida Abuse Hotline, even at a state facility like Northeast Florida State Hospital, are thoroughly investigated. Ben Aharon's family, though, said it plans to keep fighting.