Casey DeSantis-spearheaded program helps nearly 20,000 get off welfare

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announced on Tuesday that one of her top programs has helped around 20,000 people get off of government welfare.

The program, called “Hope Florida,” was created in 2021 by the first lady and is operated through the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Juvenile Justice, Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the Guardian ad Litem Office

She said that when DeSantis won his 2018 election, she and her husband wanted to help give Floridians the tools necessary to pursue the “American dream” and “economic self-sufficiency.”

The program collaborates with nonprofit groups scattered across the state that have passion, but lack personnel and resources.

The first lady recently expanded the program to the private sector, opening the door for private companies to begin helping Floridians get on their feet as well.

“Businesses can provide tangible items like mattresses, bed sheets and clothes, as well as financial assistance and transportation to Floridians with short-term unmet needs,” DeSantis’ office announced late last year.

The operation was an immediate success, racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars from private groups giving to the Hope Florida Fund.

DeSantis’ Hope Florida Fund has awarded tens of thousands of dollars to non-profit groups.

Last November, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the first lady announced the program is also expanding to help serve Florida’s veterans.

“As a veteran and Governor of the most military and veteran-friendly state in the nation, I am proud of the work we do to support our veterans and their families,” the governor said. “As a state and nation, we owe a great debt to those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom, and this expansion is a testament to our commitment to providing a pathway forward for Floridians who wore the uniform.”