-
Foster kids could go missing for a number of reasons including getting picked up by a non-custodial parent, running away or even becoming a victim of human trafficking.
-
The company will shut down its facility in Tampa on June 30.
-
The law boosts payments for family and friends who take in kids and expands tuition waivers for higher education to include more young people who spent time in the system.
-
It will also will increase monthly payments to relatives and nonrelatives who serve as caregivers to foster children.
-
Family Support Services says staff shortages have posed challenges during the transition, but the agency is optimistic about improving child welfare in the community.
-
It's the second time in recent months that the state chose an agency from outside the Tampa Bay area to run child welfare in the region.
-
Sen. Lauren Book's measure would create an Office of Child Representation to provide lawyers who will represent children in certain situations.
-
Gov. Ron DeSantis touched on a variety of topics, including education, water quality improvements, and proposed bonuses for law enforcement officers, during his State of the State address.
-
It's still unclear who will replace Eckerd to provide child welfare services in the region and whether that company will offer jobs to affected employees.
-
Eckerd Connects, a contractor under the Department of Children and Families, is being investigated for housing abused, neglected children in its office spaces where several have been hurt.
-
The state says Eckerd jeopardized kids' health and safety. The Clearwater nonprofit blames a lack of funding.
-
The move from keeping troubled families intact to placing the children in foster homes hasn't worked as advocates had hoped.