December 28, 2023

The Florida Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris highlighted the Department’s most recent successes, praising Governor and First Lady DeSantis for their innovative approach, strong leadership, and unwavering devotion to Florida’s children and families.

December 13, 2023

Secretary Shevaun Harris highlighted the successes from the Permanency Initiative launched by the Department of Children and Families (Department) in Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties. In less than 150 days, 381 children in the Tampa Bay area were adopted, an 85% increase compared to the prior fiscal year.

December 6, 2023

FY2024-2025 Investments Enhance Services and Promotes Resiliency

November 13, 2023

Florida Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris announced that the new MyACCESS government assistance portal will launch on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. This transformative upgrade will enhance the user experience when applying for or renewing government programs like food assistance, temporary cash assistance, and Medicaid.

October 31, 2023

Governor Ron DeSantis recognized October as Safe Sleep Month in Florida. The Florida Department of Children and Families (Department), Florida Department of Health, and the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida focus special attention on this issue during October to raise awareness about how to prevent infant sleep-related deaths in our state.

September 29, 2023

The Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris highlighted the tremendous impact that crisis counseling services and additional mental health resources have had in supporting individuals impacted by Hurricane Ian. Crisis counselors have provided more than 100,000 services to families and individuals over the past year. The Department and our partners quickly deployed crisis counselors into the impacted areas through the Family Resource Support Centers, Disaster Recovery Centers, D-SNAP locations, and even directly into communities where providers went door to door offering services and resources to families in need. 

September 19, 2023

Department of Children and Families (Department) Secretary Shevaun Harris announced that the Department will implement the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). D-SNAP provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Idalia who are not receiving food assistance benefits through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

September 3, 2023

DCF Releasing Mass Replacement of Benefits due to Hurricane Idalia

August 29, 2023

DCF Releasing SNAP Early due to Hurricane Idalia

August 21, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris, Department of Health Assistant Deputy Secretary for Health Melissa Jordan, Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Taylor Hatch, and Ounce of Prevention Fund President and CEO Jennifer Ohlsen called for a greater awareness of children left in hot cars. In 2023, six children have died in Florida because of being left in a hot car.