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DCF Pressroom

News and Events
    DCF News Releases

    January 3, 2025

    DCF Helps Florida Families Thrive in 2024

    Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris highlighted the continued successes accomplished by the Department, praising Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis for their dedication to the children and families of Florida. Under their leadership, the Department continues to foster breakthrough strategies, strengthen resiliency and recovery resources, and champion innovative initiatives to support strong families across Florida.

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    August 21, 2023

    State Leaders Call for Safety Awareness on Hot Cars

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris, Department of Health Assistant Deputy Secretary for Health Melissa Jordan, Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Taylor Hatch, and Ounce of Prevention Fund President and CEO Jennifer Ohlsen called for a greater awareness of children left in hot cars. In 2023, six children have died in Florida because of being left in a hot car.

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    June 22, 2023

    FYI: First Lady Casey DeSantis Highlights the Success of Continue the Mission on the One-Year Anniversary of Its Launch

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis, in collaboration with Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Florida’s Department of Veterans' Affairs (FDVA), celebrated the one-year anniversary of her Continue the Mission initiative. Continue the Mission actively recruits veterans, military spouses, and former law enforcement officers to be child and adult protective investigators and case managers, as well as mentors to children in need, new case managers, and child and adult protective investigators. Since the launch, DCF has participated in over 100 career fair events and nearly 100 qualified candidates have been hired. 

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    March 20, 2023

    DCF Announces $21.2 Million in Available Funding to Support Responsible Fatherhood in Florida

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Children and Families announced the availability of $21.2 million through the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative. In 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis joined by the Legislature, national, and community leaders signed HB 7065 which created the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative and highlights the important and critical role that fathers have in their children’s lives.

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    Press Releases

    December 11, 2024

    On-site D-SNAP Locations for Columbia, DeSoto, Lake, Lee, and Manatee Counties

    Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris announced Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) locations for Columbia, DeSoto, Lake, Lee, and Manatee counties. D-SNAP provides food assistance for Florida residents impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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    November 27, 2024

    On-site D-SNAP Locations for Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, and Taylor Counties

    The Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris announced Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) locations for Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, and Taylor counties. D-SNAP provides food assistance for Florida residents impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

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    November 13, 2024

    On-site D-SNAP Locations for Citrus, Flagler, Highlands, Madison, Pasco, Volusia, and Wakulla Counties

    Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris announced Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) locations for Citrus, Flagler, Highlands, Madison, Pasco, Volusia, and Wakulla counties. D-SNAP provides food assistance for Florida residents impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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    November 5, 2024

    On-site D-SNAP Location for Jefferson County Open Thursday, November 7 through Saturday, November 9

    Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris announced a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) location will be open for Jefferson County on Thursday, November 7 through Saturday, November 9 for applicants to complete their in-person interview on-site. D-SNAP provides food assistance for Florida residents impacted by Hurricane Helene who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

    Individuals who reside in Jefferson County who pre-registered online but did not have a chance to complete their D-SNAP phone interview can visit the D-SNAP location for an in-person interview. In-person interviews are not required if a phone interview was completed.

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    October 23, 2024

    DCF Announces Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in Response to Hurricane Helene and Milton

    The Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris announced that Florida’s application for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) has been approved. D-SNAP provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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    DCF Events

    18

    Jan

    Seminole County Red Sand Event

    10:00 am – 12:00 pm

    This interactive event raises awareness for human trafficking victims—those who fall through the cracks of society’s systems. Participants will fill sidewalk cracks with red sand to symbolize solidarity with survivors and bring attention to this pressing issue.

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    Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law sets a high standard of open records and transparency of public information and meetings, and open government is also a core value of the Department of Children and Families and the Office of Communications.

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