Supported KidCare expansion, HB 121 (Rep. Bartleman - D) and SB 246 (Senator Calatayud - R), which increased Income eligibility to 300% of federal poverty level.
Eliminated the use of mechanical restraints on students with disabilities by employees at public schools - HB 235 by Representative Plasencia (R-Orange)
Allowed for arrest record expunction for juveniles who have completed a diversionary program - HB 195 by Representative Smith (R-Winter Springs) and Senator Keith Perry (R-Gainesville)
Increased monthly payments for caregivers of children in out-of-home care and improved supports for relative and nonrelative caregivers regardless of placement status - SB 7034 by Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee
Made the statute of limitations indefinite on crimes involving a minor who is used or promoted in a sexual performance and got rid of the statute of limitations for sexual battery offenses - SB 1244 by Senator Gibson (D-Jacksonville)
Eliminated seclusion and limited use of restraints for students with disabilities in public schools – HB 149 by Representative DuBose (D- Ft. Lauderdale)
Awarded privilege to human trafficking survivors and advocates, removed fees and allowed multiple record expungement for human trafficking victims – SB 1826 by Senator Diaz (R-Hialeah Gardens).
Required information about the prevention of child sexual abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking in health curriculum for students – HB 419 by Rep. Yarborough (R-Jacksonville).
Improved child welfare through reordering priority placement, prioritizing sibling placement together or continuing contact, requiring face sheets for children in out-of-home care, transition plans for placement and education, and creating an office of continuing care with independent living preparation for those aging out – SB 80 by Senator. Brodeur (R-Lake Mary)
Revised central abuse hotline requirements, utilized the correlation between animal abuse and child abuse to keep more kids safe, required family finding and kinship navigator program in each community-based care lead agency, provided resources and supports for caregivers and expanded critical incident rapid response team investigations to include certain instances of sexual abuse in foster care – SB 96 by Senator Book (D-Plantation).
Adoption benefit equity for veterans, service members and temporary state employees – HB 61 by Representative Roth (R-Palm Beach Gardens).
Removed statue of time limitation for prosecuting sexual battery against children – HB 199 “Donna’s Law” by Representative Davis (D-Jacksonville)
Prohibit involuntary placement of pregnant women in restrictive housing – HB 1259 by Representative Jones (D-West Park)
Better child welfare accountability through establishment of Office of Quality and System of Checks and Balances – SB 1326 by Senator Simpson (R-Spring Hill)
Best practices for mental health crisis stabilization in children and mobile response teams – Representative Silvers (D-West Palm Beach) and Representative Webb (D-St. Petersburg)
Dignity for incarcerated women and girls – HB 49 by Representative Jones (D-West Park)
A voice for more children in the child welfare system – SB 124 by Senator Bean (R-Jacksonville)
Human trafficking training, policies and enforcement for public lodging- HB 851 by Representative Fitzenhagen (R-Ft. Myers)
Quicker permanency for foster children – SB 262 by Senator Albritton (R-Bartow) and Representative Roach (R- North Ft. Myers)
Juvenile justice reform – HB 7125 by House Judiciary Committee
This legislation closed the door on dangerous loop holes and prohibited the marriage of any child under the age of 17
Protected Healthy Start – successfully advocated against and almost $19M (33% budget cut) that would’ve resulted in 6,600 fewer high risk pregnant women and infants being served
Lowered the age that juvenile records are expunged to 21 and protected the confidentiality of juvenile records, giving law enforcement the authority to not place juvenile arrest photos online
Expanded and improved Early Steps for disabled children
Dramatically increased funding for Early Steps, the program providing early intervention services for children with developmental disabilities
Protected the original intent of Florida Safe Harbor Act, ensuring sex trafficked children will be treated as victims, rather than criminals
Advocated for the overhaul of the state’s child welfare system in response to the high profile child deaths of children who had previous contact with DCF
Helped pass legislation that ensured normalcy for foster youth and continued foster care services to age 21
Passed the Safe Harbor Act, landmark legislation for sex trafficked victims
Successfully fought against increased student-teacher ratios and decreased funding for voluntary pre-k
Revised zero tolerance school policies, reducing the school-to-prison pipeline
Envisioned and served as senior advisors to Juvenile Justice Blueprint Commission Report with recommendations reforming Florida’s juvenile justice system
Spearheaded the first appropriations increase for Healthy Start in 12 years
Restored year-round enrollment for KidCare health insurance program
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