Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis have established the Hope Florida Office within the Executive Office of the Governor. This new office will oversee the Hope Florida Pathway to Prosperity Initiative, which was launched in 2021. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on public assistance by leveraging support from community partners such as non-profits, faith-based organizations, and private sector businesses.
Hope Florida employs a personalized navigation model where individuals seeking government assistance are paired with a Hope Navigator. These navigators connect people with resources outside of government to address immediate needs and guide them towards economic self-sufficiency. Since its inception, over 30,000 Floridians have reduced or eliminated their dependence on public aid through this program. It is estimated that Hope Florida could save taxpayers nearly $1 billion over the next decade.
The program positions the government as a facilitator between those in need and external entities willing to help, thereby reducing governmental involvement while providing preventative measures against dependency on state systems.
Governor DeSantis stated, “Hope Florida is the alternative to government dependency.” He emphasized that it offers better services leading to self-sufficiency through its unique approach.
First Lady Casey DeSantis added, “Hope Florida is revolutionizing the way state governments meet needs.” She highlighted that it brings together existing resources outside of government and pairs those in need with navigators who guide them through available help.
Since 2021, more than 150 Hope Navigators across Florida have referred over 100,000 individuals for assistance and established partnerships with over 5,600 entities, including more than 2,000 faith-based partners. The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs joined this initiative in late 2023 and has since assisted over 900 veterans and their families.
The newly formed office will collaborate closely with state agencies to enhance partnerships with both public and private sectors statewide. Erik Dellenback will lead this office as Executive Director. He expressed gratitude for his role and commitment to advancing the vision set forth by Governor DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis for Hope Florida.
In August, an expansion called "Activate Hope" was announced by Governor DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis to assist Floridians recovering from disasters.