DCF Pressroom

March 7, 2025

Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Shevaun Harris highlighted new resources and prevention efforts to combat human trafficking, including announcing more than $900,000 in grant funding for law enforcement. Secretary Harris was joined by Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Mark Glass, Director of the USF Human Trafficking Risk to Resilience Research Lab Dr. Joan Reid, Founder and President of My Name My Voice Dr. Marianne Thomas, and partners to discuss these prevention initiatives as Florida continues to bolster its efforts to prioritize survivors and end human trafficking.

March 3, 2025

Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris announced enhanced programming for the Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network featuring the integration of law enforcement and performance-based incentives aimed at improving network outcomes. Law enforcement officers often have the first interaction with individuals contending with a substance use disorder. This enhanced partnership offers an additional resource for officers who are on our front lines working to help keep our communities safe and connecting those in need with available resources.

February 17, 2025

The Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris announced the new Adopt Florida website. The dynamic upgrade enhances the adoption journey by streamlining information about the process and providing prospective adoptive parents with every resource available to connect them with a child in need of a forever family.

February 4, 2025

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, providing $4.8 billion in funding for the Department of Children and Families (Department) to support and expand resources and services needed to best serve Florida’s children and families. This year’s budget continues to champion the Governor’s steadfast commitment to strong and resilient families by making major investments to bolster prevention services, increase access and availability of behavioral health resources, and enhanced technology advancements to further innovate the Department’s programs and systems.

January 3, 2025

Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris highlighted the continued successes accomplished by the Department, praising Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis for their dedication to the children and families of Florida. Under their leadership, the Department continues to foster breakthrough strategies, strengthen resiliency and recovery resources, and champion innovative initiatives to support strong families across Florida.

November 26, 2024

First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the second annual ‘Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive’ benefitting foster families, Hope Florida participants, and Florida families in need this Holiday season. Hope Florida, in partnership with Florida’s state agencies, will collect donations until December 13, 2024.

October 23, 2024

The Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris announced that Florida’s application for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) has been approved. D-SNAP provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

June 13, 2024

Governor Ron DeSantis signed his Focus on Florida’s Future Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25, allocating more than $4.6 billion to the Department of Children and Families (Department) that will continue to support strong and resilient families across the State of Florida.

June 6, 2024

Florida law enforcement will be able to offer help and hope to Floridians through Hope Florida.

June 5, 2024

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Secretary of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Shevaun Harris, State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, and Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Taylor Hatch highlighted resources, education, and tips for water safety and drowning prevention.