Sen. García collaborates with Congressional members to strengthen Florida child welfare

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FLV) – Sen. Ileana García, R-Miami, who chairs the Children and Families Committee in the Florida Senate, made a trip to Washington, D.C., to champion reforms and secure essential resources to support vulnerable families in her state.

García’s visit aimed to address the urgent need for comprehensive support systems and early intervention programs that address mental and behavioral issues faced by displaced children.

She expressed dismay over the “countless” stories of children falling through the cracks of a fragmented system, often experiencing trauma, abuse, or neglect, and highlighted her commitment to ensuring that no child is left alone in their struggle for a better future.

“In my 3 years as Chair in Florida of the Senate Children and Families Committee, it’s been disheartening to learn about the countless stories of children who have fallen through the cracks of our fragmented system,” García said. “As Chair of Children and Families, I am committed to ensuring that no child is left alone in their struggle for a better future.”

One of the issues discussed during the meetings was the need for increased funding and resources to strengthen Florida’s child welfare system.

García met with several Florida Congressional members, including Republican Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, Gus Bilirakis, Neal Dunn, Aaron Bean, Carlos Gimenez, Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz, and the offices of Republican U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott to explore potential solutions.

“One of the key issues we discussed was the importance of early intervention and prevention programs. By identifying and addressing mental and behavioral issues at an early stage, we can provide these children with the necessary support and resources to overcome their challenges,” García said.

Among the recommendations made were supporting H.R. 4056, sponsored by Bilirakis, and H.R. 3852, sponsored by Dunn.

The legislation aims to amend the Social Security Act to ensure that exclusions do not apply to certain settings providing trauma-response services to children and youth, and define a “cottage family home” as a form of large foster home distinct from “congregate care” or “group home,” respectively.

Another critical issue addressed was the Family First Prevention Service Act, or FFPSA, which restricts Title IV-E funding for residential group home settings.

The participants also discussed the need to invest in programs that offer stable and nurturing environments for displaced children, as well as access to quality healthcare, education and mental health services.

“It is my hope that through our collective efforts, we can create a society where every child has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances,” García said. “No child should ever feel alone or forgotten. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every child’s voice is heard, their needs are met, and their dreams are within reach.”