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APD News Clip -- Lt. Governor

Announces “Champions for Childrenâ€

Agreement -- Folly News

Folly News, Washington County, FL -- September 29, 2008

http://www.fosterfollynews.com/news/2008Sept29ChampionsforChildren.php

Lt. Governor Announces “Champions for Children†Agreement

Five state agencies pledge their commitment to better serving Florida’s

youth.

TALLAHASSEE – Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp today announced the designation of

“champions†for Florida children who are served by the state’s health and

human service agencies. Five state agencies serving children and youth

signed an agreement, pledging their commitment to reducing unnecessary

delays in assistance and services. Leaders of the departments of Children

and Families, Juvenile Justice, Health, as well as the Agency for Health

Care Administration and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, signed

the agreement.

The agreement is one of several recommendations to come from the Children

and Youth Cabinet, created by Governor Charlie Crist in 2007 to promote

collaboration and more efficient services among state agencies and

organizations that deliver child welfare services.

“Florida’s youngest, most vulnerable residents depend on these agencies for

help and care, and it is imperative that they have someone championing

their cause,†said Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, chair of the Children and

Youth Cabinet. â€This agreement illustrates that our agencies are working

together to ensure Florida’s youth get the resources they need.â€

The agreement identifies “champions†within each agency to ensure the

coordination of services and improved communication among all agencies

involved in a child’s care. The champions, agency employees, will be

empowered when urgent attention is needed to address challenges to

providing services. The agreement also requires each of the participating

agencies to align their policies and procedures for clients receiving

services from multiple agencies. This level of coordination will ensure

each child receives the maximum benefit of services.

In addition, the agreement establishes local review teams from among the

state agencies’ local offices. The teams will meet regularly to review

local procedures, and to determine how best to serve clients in their

communities. A team of state officials headquartered in Tallahassee, dubbed

the Rapid Response Team, also will help champions reach solutions when

necessary.

About the Children and Youth Cabinet

Governor Crist established Florida’s 20-member Children and Youth Cabinet

in 2007. Lt. Governor Kottkamp serves as chairman. Members include the

secretaries of the Department of Children and Families, the Department of

Juvenile Justice and the Agency for Health Care Administration, as well as

the directors of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the Agency

for Workforce Innovation.

Other members include the State Surgeon General, the Commissioner of

Education, the director of the Guardian ad Litem Office and the Chief Child

Advocate. Additionally, the Governor appointed five members from around the

state who are representatives of children and youth advocacy organizations,

but who are not service providers. Also serving on the Cabinet are

Representative Loranne Ausley and Senator Nan Rich, sponsors of the

legislation creating the Children and Youth Cabinet.

NOTICE: Florida has a broad public records law. Most written

communications to or from state officials are public records that will be

disclosed to the public and the media upon request. E-mail communications

may be subject to public disclosure.