TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Floridians First Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, providing more than $4.8 billion in funding for the Department of Children and Families (Department) to support and modernize Florida’s continuum of care. The Floridians First Budget reaffirms Governor DeSantis’ continued commitment to the investments that directly impact the programs and supports children and families rely on most. 

“The Floridians First Budget is a testament to Governor DeSantis’ continued commitment to strengthening wraparound supports for Floridians while prioritizing fiscal stewardship,” said Secretary Taylor N. Hatch. “From modernizing essential services and operations that directly support Floridians to expanding behavioral health capacity, the Floridians First Budget maximizes every taxpayer dollar. This budget equips the Department to deliver faster, more coordinated support to Floridians, reinforcing our long-term vision informed by the voice of the people we serve.”

Governor DeSantis is supporting the Department with key investments, including:

• $81.9 million to support individuals becoming economically self-sufficient through modernized technology and operational and workforce improvements.
• $187.5 million from the Opioid Settlement Trust Fund to address opioid addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery through the State Opioid Settlement. Specifically, the funding will support on-demand mobile medication assisted treatment, court diversion programs, the distribution of life saving treatments, prevention and education campaigns, peer supports, recovery housing, and other treatment and recovery support services.
• $72.7 million to increase bed capacity in the State Mental Health Facilities and Community Residential settings to protect the vulnerable and promote personal recovery and resiliency.
• $9.6 million to stabilize and support individuals in a mental health crisis by strengthening Florida’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
• $35.5 million to implement a new Community Based Care funding model to increase transparency of services provided to children and families and to deliver more consistent support to foster families, enhance placement stability, and ensure children receive services without delay. The budget also bolsters Maintenance Adoption Subsidies and related adoption supports, provides a Cost-of-Living Adjustment for foster parents, and enhances programs serving youth in Extended Foster Care.

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