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AIA Florida Aerospace & Defense Workforce/STEM Summit

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Collaborating to Inspire and Build the Aerospace Workforce of Tomorrow

The Aerospace Industries Association in partnership with Harris Corporation invites you to attend the AIA Florida Aerospace & Defense Workforce/STEM Summit Nov. 15 and 16 at the Harris Technology Center in Palm Bay, Florida.
Key stakeholders from across government, industry and Florida universities will meet to discuss issues, trends, ideas and best practices impacting the effort to inspire and build the aerospace workforce of the future. The first panel is a discussion among company leaders led by AIA President and CEO David F. Melcher and Harris Chairman, President and CEO Bill Brown at 9:35 Wednesday, Nov. 15.
More information on specific panels and speakers can be found at this link.
WHO: David F. Melcher, President and CEO, Aerospace Industries Association
William M. Brown, Chairman, President and CEO, Harris Corporation
Key stakeholders across government and industry
Leaders from the University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering, Florida Tech, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Florida International University
K-12 education leaders from Brevard, Osceola, Hillsborough and Pasco counties
WHAT: AIA Florida Aerospace & Defense Workforce/STEM Summit
WHEN: Nov. 15-16, 2017
WHERE: Harris Technology Center, 1395 Troutman Blvd NE,
Palm Bay, FL, 32905
CONTACTS: Matt Grimison
Harris Corporation
(321)724-3446 office
[email protected]
Dan Stohr
Aerospace Industries Association
(703) 358-1078 office
[email protected]

FHCA Statement: AHCA Uses Media to Release Unfavorable Information About Nursing Homes

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“FHCA is extremely disappointed with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), which today chose to use the media as a vehicle to release unfavorable information about nursing homes that are in fact working to comply with the Governor’s Emergency Power Plan Rule. Several facilities on the list not only submitted their documentation, but those variance requests have also been published on the AHCA website since October 16. The agency appears to have made no attempt to contact facilities in advance to verify the accuracy of this ill-conceived list before releasing it to the public.
FHCA has consistently stated its willingness to work with the agency to strengthen the emergency procedures in nursing centers and assisted living facilities in order to ensure that residents are safe during disasters. It appears AHCA is more interested in generating news stories than in gathering facts and arriving at a place of consensus to will ensure that nursing homes meet the Governor’s mandate, despite its unrealistic timeline. Despite this disappointment, we remain committed to working with the Governor and his administration to adopt workable procedures to protect the well-being of those entrusted to our care.”

From orphans to opportunities: The evolution of Children’s Home Society of Florida

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115 years of doing good for Florida’s children

On November 17, 1902, Children’s Home Society of Florida first opened its doors as an orphanage to care for the growing number of children arriving on the infamous Orphan Trains that transported homeless children from the streets of New York City hoping to find families. The final stop was in Jacksonville, where more than 400 children arrived with nowhere to go.
Under the guidance of Rev. D.W. Comstock, CHS was established to address this pressing need. With a staff of two and a budget of $400, CHS cared for 34 children that first year, finding permanent homes for 21. It was the beginning of a 115-year legacy of providing solutions to society’s ever-changing challenges affecting children.
With an increasing demand for services, CHS grew beyond Jacksonville – and greater than an orphanage and adoption agency – in 1920, opening its first satellite office in Pensacola. Over the next 100 years, the organization’s presence and influence continued to expand, and the first office in Tampa Bay was established in 1958.
Over the past century, CHS has been the leader in identifying and addressing key issues facing children and families. While remaining true to its roots in adoption, CHS has evolved to also deliver early childhood programs, in-home solutions that stabilize and strengthen families, counseling and telehealth, foster care, and, most recently, the innovative community partnership school TM model that’s transforming outcomes in nearly a dozen Title I schools. Mort Elementary in Tampa adopted the model in 2016.
More than one million lives have changed because of CHS, including 1,200 every year in the Tampa Bay area. Annually, CHS builds bridges to success for more than 50,000 children and family members.
But CHS’ legacy of enacting change for children extends beyond service delivery, as its legislative influence helped establish child labor and compulsory education laws, and also played a pivotal role in the founding of the Child Welfare League of America, the agency now known as the Florida Department of Children and Families, the creation of Community Based Care, the privatization of child welfare that became the turning point for improved outcomes in Florida.
“Since our founding in 1902 as a single-site adoption agency, CHS has grown and evolved with each passing decade to remain the leader in addressing the shifting social needs of children and families,” said CHS President and CEO Michael Shaver. “Through the changing times, one constant has remained: our commitment to providing the right solutions at the right time to help more children realize their full potential.”
In Tampa and along the gulf, CHS is also providing safety and guidance while empowering youth to reach their full potential through Joshua House.

Governor Scott Announces Free Admission to Florida State Parks on Veterans Day

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Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida State Parks will be offering free admission for all families and visitors on Veterans Day, November 11th, to honor all who have served and are currently serving in our U.S. military. Florida State Parks offer year-round discounts on Annual Entrance Passes to those who currently serve or have served in the U.S. military, veterans with service related disabilities and surviving spouses of members of the U.S. military who have fallen in combat.
Governor Scott said, “As a Navy veteran myself, I am proud to honor our veterans by offering free entry to the best state park system in the nation. Our award-winning state parks offer countless of opportunities for families and friends to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures. This Veterans Day, I encourage all Florida residents and visitors to visit a state park and to recognize our military heroes for their selfless sacrifices.”
DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein said, “It is an honor to offer free entry to Florida’s outstanding state parks for all visitors as a sign of appreciation for our veterans. Florida State Parks are home to some of the most special places in the country, and we invite everyone to come out and enjoy these prized natural resources.”
In celebration of Veterans Day, several parks are hosting special events this weekend:

  • Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is hosting Honoring Veterans: Past, Present and Future on Nov. 11, 2017.
  • Highlands Hammock State Park is hosting the 32nd Annual Civilian Conservation Corps Festival on Nov. 11, 2017.
  • Fort Clinch State Park is hosting History of the American Soldier on Nov. 11, 2017.
  • The Barnacle Historic State Park is hosting The Barnacle Under Moonlight Concert on Nov. 11, 2017.

For a full list of events, please visit floridastateparks.org.
Florida State Parks preserve an abundance of historical and cultural sites that provide opportunities for reflection and remembrance. At Orman House Historic State Park in Apalachicola, visitors can pay respect to Vietnam veterans at the park’s Three Servicemen Statue, a bronze replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Learn more about annual entrance passes and discounts here.
*This offer does not include the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. All other use fees, such as overnight accommodations, will be charged as usual on Nov. 11, 2017.

Senate Advances Legislation to Expand Bright Futures Scholarship

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SB 4 Secures Permanent Expansion of Bright
Futures Academic and Medallion Scholarships

Senate Bill 4, the Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act of 2018, sponsored by Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), today passed the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. The legislation expands the state university and student financial aid portions of the higher education agenda advanced last session in the Senate, a top priority of Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart). The bill includes provisions for the permanent expansion of the Bright Futures Academic Scholar award at 100 percent of tuition and fees, and the Bright Futures Medallion Scholar award at 75 percent of tuition and fees.
“Senate Bill 4 will help alleviate some of the financial burdens facing Florida students and their families,” said Senator Galvano. “Financial security enables students to put their focus where it should be, on their academic success and graduating on time. A permanent expansion of Bright Futures and flexible tuition policies, combined with continued investments in need-based student financial aid will make on-time graduation much more attainable for students across our state.”
“This week I had the opportunity to meet with several representatives of student government organizations at our state universities. These dedicated students are excited about the permanent expansion of Bright Futures and the ability for students to plan their investment in a college or university education with more certainty,” said President Negron. “Florida has some of the brightest students in the nation. Senate Bill 4 sends a strong message that if students work hard to earn the privilege to attend one of our great state colleges or universities, financial insecurities will not stand in the way of their dream of pursuing a higher education.”
Summary of Senate Bill 4 – The Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act of 2018
PRESERVE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
Senate Bill 4 expands merit-based and need-based financial aid funding and establishes flexible tuition policies available to families so every student in Florida who qualifies and earns the privilege to attend one of our state universities has the opportunity to pursue a higher education.
Expands Student Financial Assistance and Support

  • Expands need-based state aid, and university or college gift aid, for students with demonstrated financial need.
    • Expands the First Generation Matching Grant Program to include community college students and doubles the state match for private donations supporting the program (2:1 match).
    • Creates a new Florida Farmworker Student Scholarship for children of migrant families to earn technical and college credentials.
  • Expands merit-based state gift aid for high-performing students.
    • Reinstates full funding of the Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholar award at 100 percent of tuition and fees, plus $300 in fall and spring semesters to cover instructional materials and other costs, beginning in this 2017-2018 academic year.
    • Guarantees funding for 2018 summer term tuition and fees for Bright Futures Florida Academic Scholar awards.
    • Reinstates funding for the Bright Futures Florida Medallion Scholar award at 75 percent of tuition and fees for fall and spring semesters, beginning in fall semester of the 2018-2019 academic year.
    • Expands Benacquisto Scholarship awards (full cost of attendance) to recruit out-of-state National Merit Scholar award winners.

Establishes Flexible Tuition and Fee Policies

  • Requires universities to implement an institutional block tuition and fee policy for full-time, in-state, undergraduate resident students.
    • Fall 2018 semester implementation for at least the entering freshman class – may be extended to include other students.
    • Must accommodate full-time student enrollment in at least 30 credits across any combination of fall, spring, or summer terms of the academic year.
    • Must maximize accelerated and transfer credit to facilitate on-time graduation and minimize excess hours.
    • Must be publicly approved by university boards of trustees and the Board of Governors, with updates and progress reports provided to the Legislature.

Increases Student Access to Internship and Job Opportunities

  • Requires each state university to use labor market projections and related degree production analyses to identify internship opportunities for students to benefit from industry experts and mentors, earn industry certifications, and become employed in high-demand fields.

RECRUIT AND RETAIN TOP FACULTY
Senate Bill 4 expands and enhances policy and funding tools state universities can leverage to recruit and retain the very best faculty, enrich professional and graduate school strength and viability, and bring aging infrastructure and research laboratories into the 21st century.
Establishes World Class Faculty Scholar Program

  • Creates the World Class Faculty Scholar Program to help universities

Establishes University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program

  • Creates the University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program to promote quality and GAA.

ELEVATE UNIVERSITY DISTINCTION AND NATIONAL PROMINENCE
Senate Bill 4 ensures universities remain accountable to Florida taxpayers by refining university performance expectations to incentivize and reward state university performance excellence and recognition in academics, instruction, research, and community accomplishments and achievements.
Incentivizes On-Time Graduation of Full-Time Students

  • Refines university performance expectations to incentivize and reward institutions for graduating full-time bachelor degree students in four years.
    • Preeminent State Research University: Upgrades the graduation metric to a 4-year graduation rate of 60 percent or higher. The current metric is a 6-year rate at 70 percent or higher. The bill provides one transitional year for any university having earned preeminent or emerging preeminent status based on the 2018 determination under current metrics to maintain that status for the 2018-19 academic year and receive 2018-19 preeminence funds accordingly.
    • University Performance Incentive Funding: Updates metrics to specify a 4-year graduation rate and require benchmarks for the “access” metric that reward institutions for performance success in serving Pell grant students.
  • Tightens state university relationships with their direct-support organizations’ leadership, use of funds, and public disclosure activities.

Promotes State University Programs of Excellence

  • Directs the Board of Governors to establish standards and measures to recognize, enhance, and promote individual degree programs in state universities across the system, which reflect national excellence, prominence, and distinction.

For more information, please visit www.FLSenate.gov.

Gov. Scott Highlights $180 Million in Tax Cuts for Florida Families

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Governor Rick Scott visited Global Business Solutions, Inc., an information technology company, in Pensacola to highlight his proposal for $180 million in tax cuts for Florida families as part of his 2018-2019 recommended budget. The Governor’s proposal includes sales tax holidays to help families prepare for the school year and hurricane season, and reductions to many of the fees on driver’s licenses. Since 2010, the Governor has cut taxes more than 75 times, saving Floridians more than $7.5 billion. In August, Governor Scott also announced that he will propose an amendment to Florida’s Constitution to make it harder for politicians to raise taxes by requiring a supermajority vote by future Florida legislatures to raise any taxes or fees. Read more HERE.
Governor Scott’s $180 million tax cut package includes:

  • Sales Tax Holidays to Save Families $88 Million – The Governor’s recommended budget includes funding for four sales tax holidays which will save Floridians an estimated $88 million in the upcoming fiscal year. These sales tax holidays include:
    • $73 million from a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday; and
    • $15 million from three one-week disaster preparedness sales tax holidays which would take place in May, June and July.
  • Reduction in Driver’s License Fees to Save Floridians $87 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to reduce the fees for driver’s licenses. These fees were increased in 2009, prior to Governor Scott taking office. These fee cuts include:
    • $67 million in savings from reducing the fee for a renewal of a regular driver’s license by more than 58 percent from $48 to $20; and
    • $20 million in savings from reducing the fee on an original regular driver’s license by more than 43 percent from $48 to $27 and the fee on an original Commercial Driver’s License by more than 10 percentfrom $75 to $67.
  • Reduction in Traffic Citation Fines to Save Floridians $4 Million – Governor Scott is proposing to reinstate the 18 percent reduction of eligible traffic citation fines, which was repealed in 2009 prior to Governor Scott taking office, for individuals who attend a basic driver improvement school.

New officers named to Board overseeing Florida Bar admissions

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New officers were selected recently for the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, which implements the Florida Supreme Court’s constitutional authority to oversee and regulate admissions of new attorneys to The Florida Bar.
The changes involve members from the Panama City and the Miami areas. They are:

Elizabeth J. Walters, of Panama City Beach, Florida, was named Chair of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners. Ms. Walters was elected Vice Chair in 2016 by her fellow Board members at a meeting of the Board held in Tampa, Florida on October 15, 2016.  Her term of office with the Florida Board of Bar Examiners began November 1, 2013.  Ms. Walters will serve as Chair through October 31, 2018.

Ms. Walters was born in Panama City, Florida.  She attended the University of West Florida where she received her BA degree in Political Science and her MA degree in Political Science, and The Florida State University School of Law where she received her Juris Doctorate degree.  Ms. Walters is a partner at Burke Blue Hutchison Walters & Smith, P.A.  She was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1995 and the Alabama  Bar in 1996, and is a member of the Bay County Bar Association and the St. Andrews Bay American Inn of Court.

In addition to serving on the FBBE, Ms. Walters has undertaken numerous civic endeavors, including currently serving as the Chair of the Panama City Port Authority, Chair of Bay Medical Center/Sacred Heart Health System Board of Directors and Chair of Alignment Bay County.   She also serves as a Director of Summit Bank, N.A. and is a Trustee of the Florida State University Foundation.

Scott L. Baena, a founding partner at Bilzin Sumberg Baena, Price & Axelrod LLP in Miami, Florida, was elected Vice Chair of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners by his fellow Board members at a meeting of the Board held in Coral Gables, Florida on October 19, 2017.  Mr. Baena’s term of office with the Florida Board of Bar Examiners began November 1, 2014.  Mr. Baena will become Chair of the Board on November 1, 2018.

Mr. Baena attended George Washington University, where he received his BBA and Juris Doctor degrees.  He was admitted to The Florida Bar in December 1974, and is a member of the following associations:  Dade County Bar Association (Director), Legal Services of Greater Miami (Director), American Bankruptcy Institute, South Florida Bankruptcy Bar Association, American Law Institute, and the American Bar Association.  Mr. Baena was a member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors from 1987-1995; served as Chair of the Business Law Section of The Florida Bar 1986-87; and currently serves on the Senior Lawyers Committee of The Florida Bar.  Mr. Baena additionally served on the board of The Florida Bar Foundation from 1997-2000.

The Florida Board of Bar Examiners is an administrative agency of the Supreme Court charged with the responsibility of enforcing the Rules of the Supreme Court Relating to Admissions to The Bar.  This involves the supervision of character background investigations as well as the administration and grading of the Florida Bar Examination.
The Board’s website, located at www.floridabarexam.org, has the Board’s computerized Bar Application forms available to applicants free of charge.  The website also features the full text of the Rules of the Supreme Court Relating to Admissions to the Bar, Frequently Asked Questions and links to other agencies, including The Florida Bar and the Supreme Court.

Florida Associations Pump $3.7 Billion Into Florida's Economy

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Florida Associations Have $3.7 Billion Impact on Florida According to
New Research Released by the Florida Society of Association Executives

The Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) today announced Florida’s 1,000 largest associations have a $3.7 billion impact on the Sunshine State. These associations directly employ 15,000 people, spending more than $778 million in employee payroll and supporting more than 88,000 jobs through expenditures according to the research produced by Downs & St. Germain Research and sponsored in part by Partners in Association Management.
“The economic impact of Florida’s associations is real and it’s powerful,” said FSAE Chair Vicki Long, CAE. “Whether in Tallahassee, Orlando or Miami, the fiscal impact of the not-for-profit sector on local business is huge and one that should be recognized statewide as a major component in the state’s economic engine.”
More than $75 million in property, payroll, sales and other taxes flow directly from Florida’s largest associations into local and state government coffers each year. Additionally, more than 4.12 million attendees provide sales and other tax revenue to the municipalities and counties hosting the associations’ 40,500+ meetings annually.
“In-person meetings are an essential part of association membership and culture,” said FSAE President/CEO Frank Rudd CAE, CMP. “Associations are established to bring industry businesses and professionals together to improve the professions they serve and set core standards to protect Florida’s consumers. From small in-person board and committee meetings to large educational conferences and events, the meetings that association members participate in not only help the associations, but have a direct impact on local businesses and economies.”
According to Long, “Through these interactions, and beyond the numbers, professional and trade associations provide cutting-edge face-to-face training and education to improve performance, establish and enforce ethical standards and advocate for efficient regulation that is sensitive to the real-world need of Florida’s businesses to thrive in the global marketplace.”
As of October 2017, the IRS reports 2,873 501(c)6 organizations are headquartered in Florida and filed a tax return in the last year. The travel industry is one of the major benefactors of Florida largest associations as more than 4.1 million association members and staff traveled to attend board meetings, committee meetings, conferences, conventions, trade shows and education programs in 2016. Attendees also purchased more than 850,000 airline tickets to travel to meetings in 2016 and made more than 1.2 million rental car reservations. Additionally, members and staff of Florida’s 1,000 largest associations spend more than 3.6 million nights in hotels over a one year period.
“Florida is a hotbed of association activity,” said Bennett Napier, M.S., CAE, President/CEO of Partners in Association Management. “The state has the third largest concentration of not-for-profit associations behind Washington, D.C., and Chicago. The direct and indirect economic impact of this important business sector is quite significant for the Sunshine State. We greatly appreciate the work of FSAE in conducting and publishing the research, and our company was honored to help support the effort.”

For more information on FSAE’s economic impact study, CLICK HERE.
About the Florida Society of Association Executives
The Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE) fosters collaboration of association management professionals through networking and educational events, online communities and best-practice resources. With more than 1,100 members, FSAE has been serving the association industry throughout Florida for more than 55 years.

OneJax Institute Hosts 100th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Gratitude Service

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The OneJax Institute at the University of North Florida will celebrate its 100th annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Gratitude Service at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at Congregation Ahavath Chesed—The Temple, located at 8727 San Jose Blvd. A fellowship reception will follow at 7 p.m.
This annual service has taken place in Jacksonville since 1918 and pays homage to the sacred passages, prayers, songs and traditions that exalt the quality of gratitude for the community’s blessings.
“This is a remarkable milestone. One hundred years ago, Rabbi Israel Kaplan at the Temple on Laura and Ashley Streets, invited Rev. Walter Pierce at the Unitarian Church to join in a ‘Union Service’ on Thanksgiving Day,” said Nancy Broner, OneJax executive director. “Over the years, additional faiths joined in to offer thanks and gratitude for all we appreciate as a community. We look forward to celebrating with the entire community.”
The theme of this year’s special service is “Reasons for Hope” and will include a procession of faith leaders and clergy. Expressions of gratitude from each tradition will follow and will include representatives from the Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Native American faiths, among others. An interfaith choir will also participate. This year, more than a dozen faiths and traditions will be represented.
“If ever there was a need to be reminded that we aren’t alone and that, despite our differences, we share many of the same values and beliefs, it’s right now,” said Broner. “Our world is divided, we’ve endured and observed natural disasters and have witnessed unexplainable acts against innocent victims. In the midst of all this, the interfaith service reminds us to treat one another with kindness, to be grateful for all that we have and to approach each other with compassion.”
The service is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to bring canned and dry goods, which will be donated to Feed a Needy Neighbor. RSVPs are appreciated at https://tinyurl.com/100gratitude or call 904.620.1529.
Since 2012, OneJax has been an Institute at the University of North Florida. Through education, community building and advocacy, OneJax Institute works to make Northeast Florida a better place for everyone by celebrating differences and identifying all we have in common. Its core programs include Metrotown, an intensive, week-long teen diversity program; LOUD (Leaders of United Diversity), where Metrotown graduates bring the message of respect and appreciation for religious, racial and cultural differences into their schools; Interfaith and Community Forums, periodic forums for public dialogue on diversity and community building; and Advocacy, working to promote issues of importance to the OneJax mission.
In addition, OneJax partners with the UNF College of Education and Human Services on Project Breakthrough, an initiative to change the story of race in Jacksonville. The organization also partners with The Florida Times-Union, WJCT Public Broadcasting and the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission on Civil Discourse Forums, promoting civil conversations around difficult or uncomfortable topics and issues. For more information go to www.onejax.org or call 904.620.1529.

23 Nursing Homes Have Not Responded to Requirements in the AHCA Emergency Rule

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Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Secretary Justin Senior today announced that 23 nursing homes have not responded to requirements in Emergency Rule 59AER17-1. By October 31, all nursing homes were required to submit a detailed plan to AHCA or apply for a waiver. These facilities will be subjected to the fine of $1,000 per day or license revocation starting November 15 if they fail to come into compliance by the deadline.
Secretary Senior said, “It is of the utmost importance that the nursing homes who have not responded do so immediately. These rules were implemented with the safety of patients and residents in nursing homes in mind. Our Agency will continue to work to aggressively implement this life-saving rule. Our goal is compliance with the emergency rule, and we will continue working to bring facilities into compliance.”
A list of facilities that have not responded to AHCA regarding the Emergency Rule is below: