Federal appropriations will support child abuse and neglect prevention programs in Florida
ORLANDO, Fla., April 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Cliff Stearns (6th District) has obtained $200,000 for Devereux Kids, a community-based education, support and reunification program focused on instilling a civic sense of responsibility among community members to ensure the well-being of children.
The funds were included in the House of Representatives Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill and will be used to expand Devereux Kids' child abuse and neglect prevention programs to communities primarily in Marion County and potentially in other counties within the 6th District. The federal dollars will also be used to enhance services to families, for program evaluation and for early childhood prevention efforts.
"Our nation's children are a precious resource that must be nurtured and protected," said Stearns. "Since 1987, Devereux Florida has been assisting children in our state. I am proud that I was able to secure funding for the programs of Devereux Kids Florida so that they can continue to strengthen our community."
Founded in 1999, Devereux Kids has developed a successful model of providing information, family and reunification services in 10 counties in Florida. In the 2009 fiscal year, over 1100 children in 563 families received Devereux Kids prevention services; 189 relative caregivers and 231 children received support services, and 141 children in 89 families were reunited; 114 youth participated in youth development and support services; and 250 individuals participated in community education programs.
"The proverb is true, 'it takes a village to raise a child,' and without Congressman Stearns' support, we would not be able to expand these critical services in communities that are in dire need of the Devereux Kids program," said Ann Doyle, Devereux Kids Director.
Since 1987, national incidents of child maltreatment have increased 45 percent and over 240,000 incidents are reported in Florida each year.
"We need a model in place to track results across all communities in an effort to identify best practices; these dollars will make that happen," added Doyle.
For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/ycwgt4j.
The Devereux Foundation, founded in 1912 in Pennsylvania, created Devereux Florida in 1987. Devereux Florida provides behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and child welfare services to over 13,000 children on an annual basis. Today, Devereux Florida operates almost 50 programs in 38 counties statewide and is the largest non-profit provider of these services in the state of Florida.
SOURCE Devereux
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