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01/01/00
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Step Up for Students now offers two types of scholarship for children with disabilities. Child welfare children are eligible for both.
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The Personal Learning Scholarship Account (PLSA) is available to students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are diagnosed with developmental disabilities and children under 5 who are are deemed "high risk" due to developmental delays. PLSA scholarship funds can be used for a combination of approved programs and providers that caregivers think will best meet their children?s unique needs. These include approved private schools, therapists, specialists, curriculum, and technology. Step Up for Students is currently accepting applications for the PLSA for the 2014-15 school year. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) offers two scholarship options: one that helps cover private school tuition and fees, or one that assists with transportation costs to attend a public school in another county.
For more information on both scholarships, click here.
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01/01/00
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On May 22, 2015 Governor Scott signed a "Child Welfare" bill which addresses several items as a follow up to the 2014 Senate Bill 1666 which made major revisions to Florida Statutes primarily in relation to child protection.
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This bill addresses several items:
- Child Abuse Death Reviews
- Critical Incident Rapid Response Teams
- Reports of Medical Neglect
- Requires CBCs to prioritize the use of Evidenced Based and Trauma Informed Services
- Permits the Child Welfare Specialty Medicaid Plan to cover young adults in extended foster care and those who remain eligible for Medicaid after adoption from care
The bill can be viewed here, click here. The Senate Staff Analysis can be viewed here,click here.
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01/01/00
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Still having problems getting Social Security to take 18 year old redeterminations 6 months before the child turns 18? Check out this nifty new toolkit.
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The Juvenile Law Center and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia created a toolkit for advocates working with foster youth who are transitioning to adulthood and receive SSI. The materials are based on federal law and appropriate for Florida clients. To obtain the toolkit click here.
Social Security also has a new pamphlet for transitioning youth click here.
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01/01/00
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The Family Justice Initiative is a national collaborative aimed at increasing access to high quality legal representation for children and parents in child welfare cases.
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The FJI was formed by ABA Center on Children and the Law, the Children's Law Center in California and the Center for Family Representation in New York. Their website provides research, resources and advocacy tools. It is a key location to obtain information on federal funding for counsel for dependent children and their parents. familyjusticeinitiative.org
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01/01/00
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First Star's 4th Edition of the Right to Counsel Report Card raises Florida's grade from an F to a C.
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First Star issued its first report card on children's right to counsel in 2002. Over the years it has tracked whether and how states provide attorney representation to children in dependency proceedings. The Fourth Edition, issued in conjunction with the Child Advocacy Institute provides a detailed look at how states provide legal representation to children.
You can read the report card here
click here.
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01/01/00
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DCF General Counsel's issued "Directive Empowering CLS to Protect Children, Reduce Recidivism, and Decrease Families in Crisis."
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This memo directs DCF-CLS attorneys to: take affirmative steps to expedite permanency when parents have materially breached case plans; timely file petitions for termination of parental rights; request judicial reviews and permanency reviews early; directs them to file TPR petitions without court permission and restructures DCF-CLS. You can read the memo
click here.
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01/01/00
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Getting Money in the Pockets of Transition Aged Youth: Filing Taxes
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This publication by numerous national advocacy organizations provides information and resources to help young people obtain federal funds. It explains the tax credits and other funding sources. To see the document click here.
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01/01/00
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What Passed & What Failed
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Florida's Legislative Session ended on March 13. This document shows which documents made it through the Legislature. As of April 18, most of the child welfare related bill have been signed by Governor. Other bills have not been sent yet. To see the wrap up click here.
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01/01/00
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A number of bills filed for the 2023 Session addresses matters of importance to children and families.
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All bills can be access on the Florida Senate and House websites. For a quick overview of bills that might be of interest, click here.
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