Yesterday, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25, allocating over $4.6 billion to the Department of Children and Families (Department). This funding aims to support strong and resilient families across Florida through historic investments in prevention services, resiliency resources, behavioral health services, and technology improvements.
“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ bold leadership, Florida continues to be the most pro-family state in the country,” said Department Secretary Shevaun Harris. “The Focus on Florida’s Future Budget prioritizes enhanced services for the children and families of Florida and ensures that the individuals and families we serve have every tool available to bolster their resiliency toolbox. With this historic budget, the Department will continue to provide enhanced services and systems to support strong and resilient families.”
Key investments in the budget include:
– $179.4 million for opioid addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery through the Nationwide Opioid Settlement Agreement. This includes funding for mobile medication-assisted treatment, court diversion programs, naloxone distribution, prevention campaigns, peer supports, recovery housing, and other treatment services.
– $13.5 million to support families that have already adopted and an additional $9.3 million to expand access to adoption incentives for families adopting from foster care.
– $8.1 million to expand independent living services for older youth in foster care.
– $6 million for human trafficking prevention supports including housing and increased services for survivors.
Additional allocations include:
– $36.6 million for continuing modernization of the MyACCESS Portal.
– $17.5 million for modernization of the Child Welfare Information System.
– $18 million in additional supports for survivors of domestic violence.
– Over $2.6 million for a cost-of-living increase for foster parents.
– $6.7 million for local prevention grant programs aimed at improving outcomes for children and families served by the Department.
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