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Rep. Erik Fresen Honored at Florida’s Children First’s Annual Miami Fundraiser and Awards Ceremony

December 19th, 2014   No Comments   Advocacy

Florida’s Children First (FCF) recognized Miami-Dade County individuals for their tireless efforts to advocate for the state’s most vulnerable citizens at its annual Miami Reception at the Sabadell Financial Center on December 11, 2014. FCF is a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting foster children and other at-risk youth.

Dozens of Miami-Dade County’s prominent business and community leaders, as well as citizens concerned about the future of Florida’s children, especially abused, abandoned and neglected children and youth, were in attendance.

This year, Rep. Erik Fresen, was named as Champion of Children’s Rights for his groundbreaking legislation that will provide attorneys the right to protect dependent children with disabilities who are in legal custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). He was also honored and for his continued fight for the rights of children in foster care. Rep. Fresen was the House sponsor for the Attorneys for Dependent Children with Special Needs bill (HB 561). This bill is the culmination of many years of advocacy for representation for children and has been the core mission of Florida’s Children First since its inception.

“This bill outlines an avenue for the Department of Children and Families to work with the courts and the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office so dependent children with disabilities are provided an attorney,” said Fresen.

In addition, Kenisha Anthony, was recognized as the Youth Advocate of the Year for her volunteer contributions to the community and to those who are still in the state’s foster care system. Audra Burch was recognized as the media advocate of the year following the “Innocents Lost” series in the Miami Herald which investigated the deaths of 500 children whose families had prior interaction with the Department of Children and Families and the underreporting of the number of child deaths due to abuse.

Events like this would not be possible without the help of our sponsors and Sabadell United Bank for hosting the program.

“We were honored to host Florida’s Children First because we believe the work they are doing is of utmost importance in our community. By protecting foster children and other at-risk youth we are supporting and protecting our future generations for years to come,” said Dwight Hill, Executive Vice President, Sabadell United Bank

FCF holds similar events around the state, including an upcoming event in Fort Lauderdale on February 26. For more information on upcoming events or to learn more about FCF please call 954-796-0860 or email fcf@floridaschildrenfirst.org. You can also visit www.floridaschildrenfirst.org.

Florida’s Children First is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the rights of at-risk children and youth, especially those in foster care. Uniquely positioned as Florida’s premiere independent advocacy organization, our mission is to seek full representation of children and youth and obtain meaningful and sustainable improvement in Florida’s child serving systems.

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