A new Florida law will provide youth in Florida’s foster care system with more support as they become adults. This legislation makes an existing Independent Living support called Aftercare Services available to a population of youth who were placed with relatives, non-relatives, or adopted as a teen. Previously, they were not able to access the vital programs and assistance they needed to thrive when they transitioned to independence at 18. These services include mentoring, tutoring, mental health services, substance abuse counseling, job and career skills training, parenting classes, emergency financial assistance, financial literacy training, and more.
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Archive for the ‘Florida’s Children First’ CategoryGov. DeSantis Signs Bill to Close Support Gap for Foster Youth in Transition to AdulthoodMay 6th, 2024
 No Comments  Florida Youth Shine, Florida's Children First, Foster Care, Legislative & Regulatory IssuesFlorida’s Children First to Honor Broward’s Top Advocates for Children on March 7Florida’s Children First (FCF), an award-winning non-profit organization that has been the voice of at–risk children and youth in Florida, will recognize truly remarkable child advocates and former foster youth at FCF’s 21st annual Broward County Advocates for Children Awards, held at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on March 7. This is one of the largest events FCF hosts each year, recognizing the accomplishments of community leaders in Broward who support its mission of making positive changes in the lives of children. Joe Johnson, NPR and Beatles Brunch radio host, will return as the event’s emcee with an expected attendance of 300 supporters including community leaders, former honorees, and individuals who are committed to helping Florida’s children. Florida’s Children First Celebrates 20th AnniversaryTwenty years ago, child advocates from across the state who were individually working on issues affecting Florida’s most vulnerable children came together with the idea that we could collectively make a greater impact. We ran the gamut in perspective — coming from private practice, businesses, law school clinics, and legal aid organizations —but we were united in our mission to achieve greater reform in the systems that affect children. Our vision in founding Florida’s Children First was to use a broad range of advocacy strategies to improve the lives of children served by the state. We believed that the effective implementation of public policy could lead to improve the lives and outcomes for children throughout our state. Twenty years later, I can say proudly that we have made great strides – but our work is far from over. We worked hard to increase the number of children in state care who have their own attorneys, and to improve the quality of representation provided by all attorneys in the system. We’re also a leader in training all child welfare stakeholders on the laws that are intended to protect and benefit children. But we don’t just educate people about the law, we help make the law better for children. Florida’s Children First Hosts CHILL For the Kids Virtual Wine Tasting and Celebrity Chef Demo in Jacksonville to Benefit Foster KidsSip, Swirl and Support Florida’s Premiere Youth Advocacy Organization on the Ultimate Zoom Escape to Napa Valley Florida’s Children First (FCF), an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of at-risk children and youth in the foster care system, is hosting the CHILL for the Kids Virtual Wine Tasting and Celebrity Chef Demo fundraiser on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Patrons will enjoy a safe, socially-distanced and fun way to “escape” from their local surroundings for a bit, while allowing FCF the opportunity to raise funds and educate supporters on their mission of helping kids in and aging out of foster care. Florida’s Premiere Youth Advocacy Organization Brings Celebrity Chef Experience To Its Supporters For An Evening To Benefit Kids In And Aging Out Of Foster CareFlorida’s Children First’s Virtual Culinary Experience Hosted by Food Network Favorite Florida’s Children First (FCF), an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of at–risk children and youth in the foster care system, is hosting Cooking for the Kids with Chef Rome on March 10, 2021 at 6 p.m. This virtual event will feature a cooking demonstration with Chef Rome and his celebrity pals in the sports and showbiz world. It also provides a safe venue for FCF to raise critical funds that support their mission of helping kids in and aging out of foster care, many of whom have been dramatically impacted by the pandemic. Florida’s Children First Invites Supporters to Virtually Escape to Napa: State Attorney’s Office Communications Officer Grayson Kamm to EmceeFLORIDA’S PREMIERE YOUTH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION OFFERS A UNIQUE WAY FOR TAMPA BAY AREA PATRONS TO SIP, SUPPORT OR SAY “THANK YOU” WITH A SPECIAL GIFT THAT SUPPORTS THEIR CRITICAL WORK
Florida’s Children First to Host Virtual Wine Tasting Fundraiser in Orlando to Support Critical Work with Foster YouthFLORIDA’S PREMIERE YOUTH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION BRINGS NAPA TO YOUR HOME FOR A GREAT CAUSE Orlando, Fla. – Florida’s Children First (FCF), an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of at–risk children and youth in the foster care system, is hosting the CHILL Virtual Wine Tasting fundraiser on Thursday, September 24, 2020 from 6 to 7 p.m. While Central Floridians continue to social distance, this event provides a safe yet entertaining venue for FCF to raise critical funds that support their mission of helping kids in and aging out of foster care, many of whom have been dramatically impacted by the pandemic. Florida’s Children First Brought Napa to South Florida with “CHILL” Virtual FundraiserFlorida’s Premiere Youth Advocacy Organization Went Virtual to Help Youth in Foster Care
Florida’s Children First Launches “CHILL” Virtual Fundraiser to Support Critical Work with Foster YouthFLORIDA’S PREMIERE YOUTH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION BRINGS NAPA TO YOU, Florida’s Children First (FCF), an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of at–risk children and youth in the foster care system, is hosting the CHILL Virtual Wine Tasting fundraiser on July 29, 2020 at 6pm (EDT). While South Floridians continue to social distance, this event provides a safe venue for FCF to raise critical funds that support their mission of helping kids in and aging out of foster care, many of whom have been dramatically impacted by the pandemic. Op Ed: Coronavirus Changes are Everyday Life in Foster CareSadly, many of the challenges we are all facing during this pandemic are similar to what children in foster care experience every day. Hear firsthand from Florida Youth Shine advocate Jessica Overstreet in this op ed from Fostering Families Today magazine. Tampa Bay Times: Plan to use secure facility for Hillsborough’s problem foster teens is ‘ludicrous,’ sheriff saysA plan to use a secure facility to house Hillsborough’s problem foster teens is being met with opposition from several groups, including the Hillsborough County Sheriff, the Hillsborough County Commission Chairman, and Florida’s Children First. They warn that forcing children into a locked facility will cause them more emotional harm. According to a recent news report from the Tampa Bay Times, Sheriff Chronister “described the plan, which is backed by the Florida Department of Children and Families, as ‘ludicrous’ and warned Wednesday it would further erode children’s confidence in the grownups entrusted to care for them.” Read more from the Tampa Bay Times here. Nonprofit Industry Veteran Jaye Abbate Joins Florida’s Children First as Vice President of Communications and Community Relations
“We are delighted to welcome Jaye to the FCF team,” said Howard Talenfeld, President and Founder of Florida’s Children First. “She adds a new dimension to the organization that allows us to harness the power and passion of corporate partners, community advocates and concerned citizens who want to give a hand up as we collectively strive to put all of Florida’s children first.” |
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Florida’s Children First (FCF), an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of at–risk children and youth in the foster care system, recently hosted its first virtual fundraiser for its supporters in Miami. As we all continue to navigate the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, FCF brought individuals together virtually to raise funds to support their critical work with foster youth, many of whom have been dramatically impacted by the pandemic.
Florida’s Children First (FCF), a statewide advocacy organization focused on protecting the legal rights of at-risk and foster care children, is proud to announce the addition of Jaye Abbate as Vice President of Communications and Community Relations.