The Department of Children and Families works in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency. The department aims to empower Floridians with opportunities that support and strengthen resiliency and well-being.

The department's activities include the following.

• Child and Family Well-Being works in collaboration with local partners and communities to ensure the safety, well-being, and timely permanency (a permanent home) for children. Community-based care lead agencies develop and oversee policy and practice requirements for child protective investigations, prevention, and case management services.
• Safety and Protection is responsible for the safety, protection, care, and well-being of children, families, and vulnerable individuals through the following service components: Florida Abuse Hotline, Adult Protective Services, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health is responsible for providing treatment for substance abuse through community-based providers and overseeing a statewide program of mental health services and supports for individuals in Florida. Furthermore, although the state directly operates some of its state mental health treatment facilities, the department also contracts or subcontracts with several local community mental health providers to render services including crisis services, children mental health services, and residential treatment programs for individuals with mental health needs.
• Licensing is responsible for the licensing functions within foster and community care, substance abuse and mental health, and child care to ensure compliance of licensing requirements.
• Public Benefits and Services is responsible for promoting strong and economically self-efficient communities by determining eligibility for various public assistance programs for individuals and families in Florida, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (commonly known as SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (commonly known as TANF), and Medicaid. The department also oversees the Homelessness Program, Refugee Services, and Public Benefits Integrity, which prevents fraud and overpayment of public assistance benefits.
• Background Screening is responsible for ensuring employment eligibility determinations on individuals employed with, volunteering with, or seeking employment with facilities or entities licensed, regulated, or required to comply with the department's background screening.

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

OPPAGA Reports and Presentations
A complete list of OPPAGA reports and presentations is available on our website.

Other Reports
A complete list of Florida Auditor General reports is available on its website.

Websites of Interest
Florida Institute for Child Welfare
American Public Human Services Association
Center for Law and Social Policy
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
National Center for Children in Poverty
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families

Florida Department of Children and Families Contact Website
Florida Department of Children and Families
2415 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32303-4190
(850) 487-1111
Website