Gov. Rick Scott has organized state and local leaders to meet Tuesday for workshops at the Florida Department of Education (DOE), the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Florida Sheriffs Association.
The governor has taken this action following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland last week when he promised to quickly organize meetings with state and local leaders to discuss ways to keep Florida students safe, including school safety improvements and keeping guns away from individuals struggling with mental illness.
According to a press statement from the Governor's Office, the groups will consist of members of law enforcement, school administrators, teachers, mental health experts, and state agency leadership. Scott will be attending the workshops throughout the day and at te end of the day will hold a roundtable to discuss their findings.
The meetings, to be live-streamed on The Florida Channel, will address the following:
The education workshop will focus on school safety improvements and updating school security protocols and emergency plans. It is set for 10 a.m. to noon; and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Department of Education, 325 W. Gaines St., Tallahassee.
The mental health and child welfare workshop will focus on ways to expand mental health services for Floridians, especially students, and improve coordination between state, local and private behavioral health partners. This meeting will be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Florida Department of Children and Families, 1317 Winewood Blvd., Tallahassee.
The law enforcement workshop will focus on ensuring individuals struggling from mental illness do not have access to guns and potential safety improvements for firearm policies. It is scheduled for Florida Sheriffs Association, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Florida Sheriffs Association, 2617 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.
To view the workshop participants, click here.
The day will end with the roundtable led by Scott and leadership members from all three workshop groups at 5:30 p.m. in the governor's large conference room at the Florida State Capitol.
Said Gov. Scott, “I have spent the last week in Parkland talking to members of the community, students and families of the victims who are suffering following this horrific shooting. While there are only three weeks left of the legislative session, we must make changes to keep students safe.
"A tragedy like what occurred in Broward County must never happen again and swift action is needed now. ... This is an urgent matter that we must address quickly.”
The Tuesday meetings are not open to the public, but a website has been provided to submit public input. Click here to comment.
