The Department of Children & Families, also known as the DCF, provides many services for the residents of Florida. Last week we broke down many of the services offered, but there are still more to get through.
This week, continue reading the various services that the DCF provides to the state.
Foster Care
Foster care can be a tumultuous process for everyone involved, which is why the DCF provides a number of resources about fostering for both potential and current foster parents. These resources include instructions on how to become a foster parent as well as ways that individuals can support the foster system without becoming a foster parent.
The DCF provides resources for homeless individuals across the country.
Homelessness
The Office of Homelessness is a connection and communication point for details on homelessness in the state of Florida. They link private donations and supporters with the public resources to try and protect homeless individuals as well as reduce the population that is homeless. It provides online resources at both a state and national level
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is often done for forced labor, sexual exploitation, or domestic servitude. The DCF provides resources to help people understand what human trafficking is, as well as potential warning signs to look for.
Independent Living Services
This program provides life skills lessons and economic support primarily for foster children aging out of the foster system as well as support for the foster parents of those children. It helps older foster children find independence and growth while still maintaining a support network for them.
Individuals with Disabilities Services
The DCF compiles a list of services and forms that may help people of varying disabilities survive and thrive in the state. There are a number of videos and web pages of varying accommodations explaining everything from how to get a hearing aid, to how to fill out the DCF’s own forms.
Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC)
The ICPC is a federal program enacted in all 50 states and U.S. territories that protects and supports the interstate placement of children with residents and guardians in other locations. The ICPC office communicates with the DCF in other states and handles the day to day paperwork of the more than 3000 cases that Florida handles each year.
Public Benefits Integrity
This office ensures that people are not being fraudulent with their public benefits, such as SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid. You can report potential fraud as well as learn what is and isn’t public benefit fraud.
Refugee Services
The state of Florida has the largest refugee population in the United States, and all of those people need assistance transitioning to life here, which is what this department does. They provide everything from vocational training, to education, to childcare support.
Substance Abuse & Mental Health (SAMH)
The SAMH is a massively public-minded branch of the DCF. While some departments exist primarily to support other offices in the DCF, the SAMH only serves the public. They provide resources on getting help, treatment, prevention, and crisis services.
That is the comprehensive list for services provided by the Florida Department of Children and Families. If you have any questions, visit their website, myflfamilies.com, for more information.