Gov. Rick Scott is calling for an additional $23 million for the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Scott announced on Tuesday that he would propose the additional funding in his budget. The money would go to increase safety services for families facing having children removed from their home and to hire almost 275 new case officers.
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking when a child is a victim of abuse or neglect,” Scott said. “Anytime something horrific happens to an innocent child, we have to stop and think about what we can do to make sure it doesn’t happen again. The funding we are announcing today will help us better coordinate care across our state and give us the necessary tools to work toward stopping child abuse. As a father and a grandfather, I take the the safety of our children very seriously. While we have made significant steps forward, the reality is even one victim of child abuse is one too many.”
DCF Secretary Mike Carroll applauded the proposal on Tuesday.
“I appreciate Gov. Scott’s commitment to making sure we do all we can to protect the most vulnerable children in our state,” Carroll said. “This funding will increase staffing levels and help caseworkers who are in the communities everyday caring for children.”
Scott proposed more than $31 million to be added to DCF’s budget last year. DCF has been under fire in recent years as the Miami Herald uncovered more than 475 children in DCF’s care died during a six year period.
Democrats have fired away at Scott on the issue, noting his cuts to the DCF budget during his first term in office. Earlier this month, at the annual AP Florida Legislative Planning Session in Tallahassee, state Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia Joyner of Tampa slammed Scott’s record at DCF.
In the meantime, DCF will have a new legislative director. Carroll named Michael Wickersheim as legislative affairs director to replace Tim Parson who is now executive staff director for Florida’s Drug Policy Advisory Council.
“We are excited to bring Michael on board as we head into an important legislative session. His experience will provide us with a solid foundation that will allow us to further the important work of our department – to serve those most at need,” Carroll said on Tuesday. “Tim is a tremendous asset to the department and I look forward to continuing to work with him as he moves into his new role.”
Wickersheim worked as deputy director of legislative affairs for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and was an aide to state Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
