Each year, Florida Network of Youth and Family Services’ executives from its member agencies and shelters across the state converge at the Capitol to meet one-on-one with legislators regarding key issues involving at-risk youth and their families.
Starting with arrival on February 18, through February 20, “Hill Day” will take place allowing executives to be the voice of their communities’ children, while thanking their senators and representatives for supporting “Children and Families in Need of Services” and statewide prevention services. The Florida Network is the largest provider of prevention services within the Department of Juvenile Justice and is effective at preventing delinquency with over 90 percent of youth served.
This year, the Florida Network and its advocates are urging lawmakers to secure recurring funding for the SNAP (Stop Now and Plan) program – a behavioral model that provides a framework for teaching youth struggling with disruptive behavior issues and their parents effective self-control and problem-solving skills. Currently, SNAP is in 21 counties throughout Florida. The Florida Network is also proposing an expansion of the SNAP program to children in foster care or at risk of removal from their homes in five pilot sites.
Throughout Hill Day, leaders also will discuss prevention services for critical issues surrounding Florida youth and families, such as human trafficking, domestic violence and juvenile delinquency prevention.
