BFP Celebrates Black History Month
Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. African-American history is filled with the tales of inspiring individuals—many of whom overcame great odds to leave their mark on the United States.
During this month, we celebrate the lives of African-Americans who have made extraordinary achievements in their fields, including inventors such as George Washington Carver; activists like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks; athletes such as Willie Mays and Michael Jordan; and entertainers like Bessie Smith and Oprah Winfrey. Their names, and their stories, have become synonymous with the rich legacy that is African-American culture. Find out more about Black History Month on History.com.
In The News...
Governor, DCF Secretary to kick off volunteer program
Governor Rick Scott and Florida business leaders will join DCF Secretary, David Wilkins to announce an exciting volunteer initiative to benefit Florida’s most vulnerable children and families.
The "Partners for Promise" kickoff Press Conference will take place on Monday, December 5, 2011, at 2:00pm in the Cabinet Meeting Room at the Capitol, in Tallahassee.
Click here to view the event invitation.
13 children find "Forever Homes" at annual Celebration of Adoption!
Eight families are now larger, thanks to the children they've adopted. 13 children became permanent "Forever Family" members during BFP's annual Celebration of Adoption, hosted by Dependency Court Judge, Tonya Rainwater on November 22, at the Brevard County Courthouse.
Read the full stories as written and recorded by our community partners at FLORIDA TODAY and WESH-TV2.
Smiles, Hugs Rule at Adoption Event - FLORIDA TODAY
Local Kids Find New Homes - WESH TV2
BFP Releases 2012 Legislative Priorities
Brevard Family Partnership is an advocate for issues, laws, and regulations that help prevent child abuse and neglect, and that provide families with the supports they need to remain safe, healthy, and intact in their communities. BFP has released its key issues that it hopes will be addressed and remedied in the upcoming 2012 Florida legislative session.
Read BFP's 2012 Legislative Priorities
Visit our Legislative Affairs page for for more information regarding interim work plans, committee assignments and meetings, and updates on legislation throughout the 2012 Session.
Children's Week 2012
Brevard Family Partnership and Brevard CARES advocate for kids in Tallahassee
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A team of staff and adoptive/CARES families traveled to Tallahasee, FL to advocate for Brevard's kids during Children's Week, January 29th - February 1st.
The team participated in a variety of activities, including meeting with some of Brevard's local legislators -- Senator Thad Altman, Rep. Debbie Mayfield, Rep. Tom Goodson and Rep. Rich Workman -- where they were able to discuss BFP's legislative priorities and important issues surrounding the children and families of Brevard.
Additionally, the team participated in the annual "Hanging of the Hands" at the Capitol Rotunda. The hands were collected through our community partners at the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard. They also went on tours of the State Capitol building and the Florida Supreme Court, along with sitting in on a Senate session.
To view more photos of the trip, visit BFP's Facebook page here.
Guardian ad Litem 5K Superhero Run
Children need heros... abused children need superheros!
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The Guardian Ad Litem program is excited to host the Superhero Run, a 5K event at the Space Coast Stadium on February 4, 2012! Participants are encouraged to wear costumes and bring the whole family for a morning full of fun! There will be awards, door prizes, food and a free kids run.
Guardians ad Litem make reccomendations to the court in the best interest of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. They accomplish this with the help of community volunteers. GAL volunteers are trained and committed adults who stand by the children's side, watch over their case, and ensure that they remain a priority in an overburdened legal and social service system. This 5K event will help the GAL program continue to provide these much needed services to children in Brevard County.
For more information, registration, and a course map, visit http://www.galsuperherorun.com or call 321-690-6823.
Is this the year you choose to become an adoptive parent?
Each year, many children who have been permanently removed from their homes become available for adoption. They are toddlers, young children, sibling groups and teenagers. Each is unique and precious, and each is looking for their 'forever home'..jpg){kind=logo}
While becoming an adoptive parent is no small task, the rewards for opening your heart and home to a child are incredible. You help to shape a child's life, provide them with safety and security, and nuture them to become the best that they can be! Many children who were adopted are now some of our greatest leaders and business people; they are who they are because of the oppoprtunities they had, thanks to their adoptive parents.
So will this be the year you consider adoption?
For more information visit our Heart Gallery at www.heartgallerybrevard.org.
Brevard Family Partnership is a COA Accredited Agency
FSFN Corner
Information for Foster and Adoptive Parents, and Independent Living Youth
Beginning July 1, 2011 the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families (DCF) mandated that each community based care agency contracting with DCF to process payments through Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) for foster care room & board, maintenance adoption subsidies and independent living youth subsidies and program support, etc. prior to issuing checks and electronic funds transfers.
Brevard Family Partnership (BFP) has met this mandate and all of the payment activity is now being processed through FSFN. With this new processing BFP has identified a single point of contact for all of your questions and concerns regarding your payments and other related matters.
- For Foster Parents and Group Homes – BFP Intake Unit at (321) 752-4650
- For Adoptive Parents – BFP Child & Family Program Manager LaChrista Jones (321) 752-4650 x3053
- For Independent Living Youth – Crosswinds Youth Services (321) 452-0800
To address any concerns you might have regarding the timing of your payments, please refer to the schedule below for your designated area for the window in which you should expect your payments whether in the form of a physical check or as a direct deposit.
- For Foster Parents and Group Homes – between the 14th and 18th of the month
- For Adoptive Parents – between the 20th and the 26th of the month
- For Independent Living Youth – the first business day of the month
BFP offers a direct deposit program which avoids you having to wait on mail deliver. Typically direct deposit payments are available in your bank accounts a couple of days before you would receive a physical check. If interested in our direct deposit program, please contact the appropriate designee listed above to request the form and instructions needed to initiate this process.
Your patience and understanding through the continued refinement of this payment process is most appreciated. Please know that we welcome communication on any challenges you may experience.