Ten years ago, children were slipping through the cracks of Florida’s state-run foster care system resulting in child abuse episodes that gained national attention. In an effort to fix the failing model, the state turned over foster care and adoption services to private agencies. The management switch to “community-based care” improved the system, the Miami Herald reports, but after recent child deaths in Florida, DCF Secretary David Wilkins is pushing to get some control over the system. Wilkins’ proposal is creating friction between the state and local agencies. (Editor’s note: Users may encounter a paywall at the Herald).
Among the disputes: Whether DCF should have veto power over who is hired to run private agencies. Also, whether the state can change requirements after the contract is signed without giving more money to fulfill them.
