DCF Celebrates Florida Child Welfare Professionals Recognition Day

As Governor Scott proclaimed May 7-13 Public Service Recognition Week, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) encourages Floridians to reflect on the important role of Florida’s dedicated child welfare professionals who devote their careers to serve and protect vulnerable children and families. From state child protective investigators to local case managers and from state policy makers to local providers of safety services, all those along the system of care work diligently to seek the best interest of the children and families served.
“Every day is a different day in the life of child welfare professionals,” DCF Secretary Mike Carroll said. “They wear many hats and make sacrifices in order to help others. Without the dedication of these individuals across the spectrum of care, Florida’s families and communities may look very different.”
DCF works in partnership with local communities, courts, and tribes to ensure the safety, timely permanency, and well-being of children.  The structure of Florida’s child welfare system allows for community-based care lead agencies to meet the needs of unique communities to the individuals and families it serves on a local level. Florida’s child welfare system encompasses a wide-range of services, including assistance to families working to stay safely together or be reunited, foster care, youth and young adults transitioning from foster care to independence, and adoption.
“The individuals who choose a career in child welfare work in a daunting field with incredible challenges, but they refuse to give up, because they know these children represent the future of Florida,” said Kurt Kelly, CEO, Florida Coalition for Children. “They are the backbone of our system of care and it is critical that we recognize they are the reason we are able to help children and families in our state overcome insurmountable challenges. We are beyond grateful for their service today and every day.”
While we honor this day, we celebrate the amazing child welfare professionals all year long. To answer the call to serve the families in your community, visit http://myflfamilies.com/general-information/employment/cpijobs. To learn more about Florida’s child welfare system, visit http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/child-welfare.