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Comparing State Agencies

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Comparing State Agencies: The Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Children and Families
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) are respected and indispensable agencies that benefit and service the people of Florida. In 1996, the Florida Legislature divided the former Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) into two separate state agencies: DOH and the DCF. Their similarities begin with their mission and values. In essence, these agencies were created to protect and promote healthy families, both physically and economically, through county and community efforts across the state.
Florida Department of Health
The DOH was established by the Florida Legislature …show more content…

The DCF makes their food assistance program accessible and available through the implementation of the Automated Community Connection to Economic Self Sufficiency (ACCESS). The online-based ACCESS system provides up-to-date information, the ability to submit applications and gives benefit to recipients, who are given the added convenience to update related information and request additional benefits through their myACCESS account. The DCF and community-based care partner agencies offer a comprehensive foster care program that directs hopeful foster parents through the process. There are currently 42 certified domestic abuse centers that provide “emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis and information hotline, safety planning, counseling, case management, child assessments, information and referrals, education for community awareness, and training for law enforcement and other professionals” (Florida Department of Children and Families). Moreover, trained counselors in the DCF’s abuse hotline monitor and receive complaints and reports related to child and adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation including human trafficking. The abuse hotline is available to all persons and can be reached via telephone or online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to …show more content…

Unlike the DOH, the DCF does not issue, suspend, or revoke licenses and does not threaten the life of any person but it can interfere with the liberties of individuals. The DCF has operating procedures regarding criminal and administrative action against the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. Sections 415.111, 825.102, 825.1025, and 825.103, Florida Statutes (2016), provide statutory base for criminal penalties. The role of the DCF’s protective investigator during a criminal investigation is to assist the criminal justice agency with information, being present during interviews with victim(s) or alleged offender(s), providing oral or written testimony during court proceedings. Furthermore, the agency has statutory authority to impose administrative fines on persons who knowingly and willfully make a false report of abuse. Per §415.1113, Fla. Stat. (2016), fines may not exceed $10,000 for each violation. The DCF provides guidelines for administrative fines contingent on the severity of the violation (Abrams,

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