Latest News

August 21, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris, Department of Health Assistant Deputy Secretary for Health Melissa Jordan, Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Taylor Hatch, and Ounce of Prevention Fund President and CEO Jennifer Ohlsen called for a greater awareness of children left in hot cars. In 2023, six children have died in Florida because of being left in a hot car.

August 4, 2023

Governor DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis celebrate one year of helping Floridians break the cycle of addiction through the Coordinated Opioid Recovery Network (CORE). As the first comprehensive solution to addiction care in the nation, this program disrupts the revolving door of addiction and overdose by providing patients with the tools to choose sustainable recovery.

June 29, 2023

Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Shevaun Harris hosted a roundtable in Tampa regarding the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative as part of Responsible Fatherhood Month. Secretary Harris was joined by Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Secretary Eric Hall, Director of All Pro Dads Jason Hood, Pastor Lyn Masslieno with Northwest Florida Health Network, Lesley Bateman of Family First, Nikki Daniels from Layla’s House, and Allan Alford with All Pro Dads.

June 22, 2023

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis, in collaboration with Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Florida’s Department of Veterans' Affairs (FDVA), celebrated the one-year anniversary of her Continue the Mission initiative. Continue the Mission actively recruits veterans, military spouses, and former law enforcement officers to be child and adult protective investigators and case managers, as well as mentors to children in need, new case managers, and child and adult protective investigators. Since the launch, DCF has participated in over 100 career fair events and nearly 100 qualified candidates have been hired. 

June 20, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla – Today, Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris commended Governor DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom Budget, and the continued dedication and commitment to supporting strong and resilient families in Florida. The Framework for Freedom Budget includes $4.7 billion in funding to the Department as part of the state’s ongoing investment in children and families, along with enhancing prevention services, increasing availability of and access to behavioral health services, and supporting updates to the Department’s systems, thereby ensuring additional program effectiveness and efficiencies.

June 20, 2023

Department of Children (DCF) and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris was joined by State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Director Taylor Hatch, and others to discuss water safety and prevention efforts.

March 31, 2023

Department of Children and Families Kicks Off Child Abuse Prevention Month

March 20, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Children and Families announced the availability of $21.2 million through the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative. In 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis joined by the Legislature, national, and community leaders signed HB 7065 which created the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative and highlights the important and critical role that fathers have in their children’s lives.

March 20, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced $21 million in available funding for essential programs to enhance mental health crisis services in Florida’s communities and the Recruit and Maintain Behavioral Health Professionals grant program through select managing entities.

January 13, 2023

Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Shevaun Harris hosted a roundtable regarding the prevention of Human Trafficking in the Big Bend Region as part of Human Trafficking Prevention Month.