Trust plays a big part in our relationships — with our families, our volunteers, with the state of Florida.
We are proud of our partnership with the Florida Department of Children and Families. It’s a strong relationship that’s been built on trust and collaboration since 2015. Some 60% of our families are referred to us by DCF and law enforcement. We have a proven track record of keeping families together. Not only keeping them together, but strengthening them and thus keeping them out of the state system and easing the burden on DCF.
Our families know that we are 100% privately funded, that they won’t lose custody of their children while working to strengthen their family in our Better Families program, and that our host families are vetted, background-checked and trained by our professional staff.
Only about 1 in 5 children in the system are removed from their homes due to physical or sexual abuse. Most cases involve neglect, which is preventable. Nearly half arise because of drug and alcohol abuse while others stem from housing issues, caretaker stress and poverty.
Our partnership with DCF recognizes that many of the issues that cause children to enter the foster care system are preventable and treatable — and that community action works.
We are proud of these relationships built on trust and collaboration, and of our proven track record, as we grow into Sarasota, Manatee County, the Tampa Bay region and Northeast Florida.
Together we will end the foster care crisis.
PHOTO ABOVE: Better Together CEO Megan Rose and DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris at the Child Protection Summit in September 2021.
Posted April 7, 2022 | Pamela Hayford
