The purpose of the Florida Department of Children and Families is to work 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. The office partners with 17 community-based care lead agencies within six regions. 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, which accepts reports of suspected child abuse, neglect, or abandonments and reports of known or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Adult Protective Services, which is responsible for preventing further harm to vulnerable adults who are victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation or self-neglect. Domestic Violence, which monitors certified domestic violence centers and batterer intervention programs. Human Trafficking, which offers various human trafficking awareness and special topics trainings andcoordinates multidisciplinary staffings for youth who are suspected or confirmed victims of human trafficking. It also participates in various initiatives to recruit safe foster or level III homes to support the human trafficking population.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health is responsible for providing The Office of Substance Abuse and Mental is the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health, and state opioid treatment. Furthermore, although the state directly operates some of its state mental health treatment facilities, the department contracts for community behavioral health services, including crisis services, children's behavioral health services, and residential treatment facilities for individuals with mental health needs through managing entities, which manage specific behavioral health needs in the various regions of Florida.
• Licensing . 
• Public Benefits and Services help promote strong and economically self-sufficient communities by determining eligibility for food, cash, and medical assistance for individuals and families in Florida, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Temporary Cash Assistance, and Medicaid. The department also oversees the Homelessness Program, Refugee Services, and Public Benefits Integrity.
• 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 requirements. Components of background screening include reviewing an individual's criminal history, drug testing results, clerk of court records, child abuse and neglect history, and driver license record.

The funding information listed below is provided by Transparency Florida. Please contact the department for more information on its funding. Additional information about department funding and activities is available on the State of Florida Fiscal Portal.

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
Department of Children and Families, Inspector General Publications and 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
Annie E. Casey Foundation

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