TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s Department of Children and Families has achieved significant milestones in 2024, as highlighted by Secretary Shevaun Harris. These accomplishments were made possible under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis, who have been pivotal in implementing innovative strategies to support families across the state.
“2024 was another monumental year for our Department and the families we serve. The Department prioritized key initiatives that delivered vital services which helped individuals and families foster resiliency and achieve economic self-sufficiency” said Secretary Shevaun Harris. “The Department is thankful for the Governor and First Lady’s leadership, and we look forward to carrying their vision into the new year to keep the individuals and families of Florida thriving.”
Empowering Families Toward Economic Independence
The Hope Florida initiative, led by First Lady DeSantis, has expanded its reach by serving over 30,000 Floridians and their families in 2024. This initiative connects individuals to resources through a network of over 5,600 partners spanning faith-based, community, and private sectors. Hope Florida aims to break down barriers to self-sufficiency, assisting families in improving their employment and vocational skills through partnerships with CareerSource Florida. Since its inception, it has reached over 21,000 families, particularly those at risk of child welfare issues.
Significantly, nearly 30,000 participants have reduced or eliminated their dependence on government assistance, resulting in an annual savings of over $78 million.
In response to hurricanes in 2024, the Activate Hope emergency response was initiated, providing assistance to over 57,000 individuals with essential supplies and facilitating resources for 33,000 people facing post-disaster challenges.
Strengthening Family Support Systems
Florida has seen a decline in the number of children entering foster care, with a 32% decrease since Governor DeSantis took office, reaching a 20-year low. In FY 2023-24, 3,969 children were adopted, a result of streamlined processes under the Permanency Initiative, marking an almost 10% increase in adoptions from the previous year.
First Lady DeSantis’s Continue the Mission initiative has been crucial in recruiting veterans and former law enforcement personnel for roles such as child protective investigators, with over 300 veterans hired by December 2024.
The Family Navigation program supported 3,526 families in 2024, with 89.5% remaining intact, providing comprehensive support to ensure family stability and safety.
Promoting Holistic Care and Community Resilience
The launch of H.E.A.R.T., the Healthy Teen Relationship Initiative, aims to equip teenagers with skills to prevent dating violence. Over 89,000 individuals participated, and 80% reported increased knowledge of healthy relationships.
The Father First campaign, part of the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative, achieved over 793 million impressions. Funding over $30 million in grants, the initiative supports fathers and at-risk male students, with positive outcomes such as 80% of fathers avoiding justice system involvement and 70% reporting successful child involvement.
Adult Protective Services conducted 39,581 abuse investigations, ensuring that over 99% of victims remained safe from re-abuse and vulnerable adults could stay in their homes.
Efforts to combat homelessness saw a 36% decrease in the state’s homeless population, achieving a rate 22% below the national average through partnerships with local organizations.
Enhancing Crisis and Behavioral Health Resources
Mobile Response Teams assisted 26,691 individuals, diverting 80% from crisis settings. The 988 Florida Lifeline answered 120,318 calls, connecting 100% to appropriate crisis care without any fatal incidents.
The Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network expanded to 29 counties, serving 64,381 individuals with substance use disorders. Notably, 64% received Medicated Assisted Treatment, far exceeding the national average.
Community Action Treatment (CAT) Teams served 3,444 children, achieving a 98% diversion from juvenile justice and 97% from inpatient psychiatric programs.
Florida leads the nation in low readmission rates to State Mental Health Treatment Facilities, with a 30-day rate of 0.16% and a 90-day rate of 0.32%.
Florida Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) teams served 3,922 individuals, with 90% not requiring crisis stabilization and 99% avoiding state mental health facility admissions.
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