Governor Rick Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget proposes $3.1 billion for the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to continue to keep vulnerable families safe and expand community behavioral health services. This funding will also support resident and staff safety at the state’s mental health treatment facilities.
Governor Scott said, “There is no greater investment in Florida than in our families and I am proud that the ‘Fighting for Florida’s Future’ Budget includes more than $3 billion for DCF. We need to do all we can to support those who are most in need, including vulnerable children and the individuals and their families who are affected by mental illness and substance abuse. The investments in this year’s budget serve to even further strengthen our commitment to improving coordination of behavioral health services and keeping families safe so our children and grandchildren can thrive in Florida.”
DCF Secretary Mike Carroll said, “At the heart of all we do is protecting those who cannot protect themselves, and among the most vulnerable are children and those struggling with behavioral health issues. I am grateful that the Governor has once again recommended a budget that makes them a priority and continues to improve the services and support they need to be safe and healthy and lead their best lives.”
Governor Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget includes:
- $12.6 million in Community Behavioral Health Services which include
- $2.7 million to support community behavioral health projects in Alachua, Pinellas, and Broward counties as a result of Executive Order 15-175 which Governor Scott signed in 2015; and
- $9.9 million to enhance care coordination, provide housing solutions and increase community forensic multidisciplinary teams for nonviolent offenders.
- $3 million to to add four additional Community Action Treatment Teams for Children
- $1.8 million to add four additional Family Intensive Treatment Teams$1.25 million to add an additional FACT Team (Forensic Assertive Community Treatment) Team in Broward County
- $6.3 million to improve treatment and recovery programs at the state mental health treatment facilities supported by 90 new staff
- $21.4 million for children’s safety in the child welfare system, including:
- $6.2 million for maintenance adoption subsidies and adoption assistance;
- $14.2 million for community-based care (CBC) lead agencies, including safety management services and case management workload to support 69 additional case management staff;
- $1 million for services for child victims of human trafficking.
Mark Fontaine, Executive Director of the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, said, “While mental illness and substance abuse can be unimaginable challenges for a family, this budget recognizes the importance of supporting services to address these needs a priority for our state. I applaud the Governor’s leadership in keeping these issues in the forefront and driving long-term, effective treatment solutions.”
Melanie Brown-Woofter, Interim President of the Florida Council for Community Mental Health, said, “We applaud Governor Scott’s continued commitment to invest state resources in community behavioral health programs. His budget proposals will provide much-needed relief to families in need, make our communities safer, and help those at risk.”
Jessica Pryce, Director, Florida Institute of Child Welfare, said, Jessica Pryce, Director, Florida Institute of Child Welfare, said, “This budget provides additional workforce capacity and services for child victims of human trafficking and crossover youth who find themselves in both the child welfare system and the juvenile justice system. The Governor clearly understands the urgency of providing these children with relevant and timely services and specifically, ensuring effective treatment for the trauma that they have experienced.”
For more information on the Florida Department of Children and Families, visit www.MyFLFamilies.com.
