Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis highlighted two transformative initiatives—Father First and Hope Florida—during a fireside chat at the Florida Department of Children and Families’ 2024 Children and Families Summit. These initiatives aim to provide additional support to families and nonprofits that promote strong family structures.
Father First is a statewide initiative designed to empower fathers to embrace their roles in their children's lives. The program includes a network of 30 community organizations offering educational programs, mentorship, and one-on-one support to encourage responsible fatherhood in Florida. The Father First website serves as a resource hub for current and future fathers seeking guidance and connections.
Hope Florida, implemented across multiple state agencies, utilizes Hope Navigators to guide Floridians towards economic independence by fostering collaboration between the private sector, faith-based communities, nonprofits, and government entities. Floridians can contact Hope Navigators via the hotline (833-GET-HOPE) for assistance in identifying needs, setting long-term goals, and mapping out paths forward. Since its launch two years ago, nearly 30,000 Floridians have reduced or eliminated their reliance on government assistance—a reduction projected to save the state approximately $800 million over the next decade.
Governor DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis also emphasized the partnership between Hope Florida and the Guardian ad Litem program. This collaboration has resulted in hundreds of mentorship pairings since its inception in September 2023. There remains a need for more mentors across Florida for youth aging out of foster care. Interested individuals can learn more about becoming mentors at HopeFlorida.com.
Floridians needing support can connect with Hope Florida by calling the Hope Line (833-GET-HOPE). Organizations or individuals interested in partnering with Hope Florida or becoming mentors can visit www.HopeFlorida.com.
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