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Florida DCF Makeover Helps Foster Families Stay United

July 3rd, 2009   No Comments   Foster Care, News & Events
With eight of her nine children, Peggy Bach holds her newest child, Israel Bach,1 week old. Others are from the baby, clockwise, Andrew Bach, Grace Fisher, Arik Bach, Amber Hurley, Faith Fisher, Jake Bach and Bruce Bach. DON BURK/The Times-Union

With eight of her nine children, Peggy Bach holds her newest child, Israel Bach,1 week old. Others are from the baby, clockwise, Andrew Bach, Grace Fisher, Arik Bach, Amber Hurley, Faith Fisher, Jake Bach and Bruce Bach. DON BURK/The Times-Union

For those looking for solutions to issues surrounding Florida foster children and families, look no further than to some of the innovative programs being implemented around the state.

By keeping vulnerable families together and providing financial and emotional support where possible, state agencies, their contracted providers and other child advocates are able to reduce or eliminate legal issues, damages, damage claims, lawsuits and other problems that can arise.

The more important result is a happier, more stable family. Below is the story from the Jacksonville Times-Union of how one family benefited from the redesign of the DCF model…

When Peggy Bach  and her eight children were asked to leave her boyfriend’s house in December, she wasn’t quite sure what to do.

The 37-year-old Jacksonville woman was on maternity leave, pregnant with her ninth child. She had no money and no place to go. Bach was afraid to ask for help in fear she would lose custody of her kids. But by March, she had no other choice. Because of a redesign of the state Department of Children and Families, Bach retained custody of her children. She also got $1,200 to move into a new house, food stamps, mentoring for her children and even gave her multiple Wal-Mart gift cards until food stamps were approved.

That wouldn’t have always been the case. In the past, Bach’s kids would have been added to the 1,012 Duval County children living in foster or relative care. But as part of the redesign, DCF is spending more time working with parents and placing fewer children in the foster care system.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

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