Florida Governor Crist Addresses Statewide Dependency Court Summit

September 5, 2007 -- ORLANDO – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today addressed attendees of the Department of Children and Families’ Annual Statewide Dependency Court Summit during the opening session of the three-day conference. More than 1,200 individuals from throughout the state’s child welfare system were in attendance, including judges, law enforcement officers, protective investigators, social services professionals, attorneys and volunteers. The goal of the conference is to unite professionals in child welfare in order to reshape and redefine partnerships for children throughout the state.

“Children are our highest priority because they have the right to grow up with dignity in a safe environment and to know that someone will always be there for them,” Governor Crist said. “We have an obligation to protect them and to give the thousands of teachers, law enforcement officers, community leaders and volunteers who put Florida’s children first the tools they need to give hope and a solid future to every child in Florida.”

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During the three-day conference, attendees will develop action plans specific to each region of the state. The Florida Department of Children and Families is divided into five geographic regions and 20 circuits which are aligned with the state’s circuit court system. Individuals within each circuit will establish an action plan to be implemented and evaluated in the next 60 days that will address the unique challenges and obstacles of each individual circuit.

Addressing the crowd in a spirit of collaboration, DCF Secretary Bob Butterworth said, “We must put our energy into cooperation, not controversy, competition, or divisiveness. We have nothing to hide, but more importantly, we should hide nothing.”

Recently, Governor Crist named 15 statewide leaders to the Children and Youth Cabinet. The cabinet is charged with developing a strategic plan to promote collaboration, creativity, increased efficiency, information sharing, and improved service delivery between and within state agencies and organizations focused on children’s issues.

For more information on the Department of Children and Families’ Dependency Summit, visit the Children and Families Web site at www.state.fl.us/cf_web and click on the Dependency Summit icon.

Source: Florida Governor