Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Department of Economic Opportunity

For assistance, call 850-245-7105 or visit http://www.floridajobs.org/

What is the purpose of the department?

The purpose of the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is to assist the Governor in working with the Legislature, state agencies, business leaders, and economic development professionals to formulate and implement coherent and consistent policies and strategies designed to promote economic opportunities for all Floridians.

The department also must ensure that the state's goals and policies relating to economic development, workforce development, community planning and development, and affordable housing are fully integrated with appropriate implementation strategies.

What are the responsibilities of the department?

The Department of Economic Opportunity's duties include
  • managing the activities of public-private partnerships and state agencies in order to avoid duplication and promote coordinated and consistent implementation of programs in areas including tourism; international trade and investment; business recruitment, creation, retention, and expansion; minority and small business development; rural community development; commercialization of products, services, or ideas developed in public universities or other public institutions; and the development and promotion of professional and amateur sporting events;
  • developing a statewide five-year strategic plan to address the promotion of business formation, expansion, recruitment, and retention in order to create jobs; and
  • promoting viable, sustainable communities by providing technical assistance and guidance on growth and development issues, grants, and other assistance to local communities.

How is the department organized?

To carry out the agency's mission, the Legislature designated five divisions within the department.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2022-23
Fund Dollars Positions
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, DEPARTMENT OF
PROGRAM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
FLORIDA HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION
512,725,000
.00
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
2,227,163,387
151.00
PROGRAM: EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
4,659,786
37.00
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
23,133,712
101.00
INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT SERVICES
12,379,865
100.00
PROGRAM: STRATEGIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
454,436,951
22.00
PROGRAM: WORKFORCE SERVICES
CAREERSOURCE FLORIDA
20,612,541
.00
REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE APPEALS COMMISSION
4,216,233
33.50
REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
208,725,862
478.00
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
613,528,409
587.50
TOTAL
4,081,581,746
1,510.00

Updates

Child Welfare. The 2022 Legislature enacted Ch. 2022-67Laws of Florida, which  requires the department to expand grants for organizations that assist certain noncustodial parents with becoming self-sufficient and therefore become better able to provide child support payments.

Implementation of the REACH Act. The department and the CareerSource Florida Board have been working to implement the Reimagining Education and Career Help (REACH) Act, which was enacted by the Florida Legislature in 2021.  Implementation work has focused on three areas.

  • Alignment. The REACH Act seeks to achieve a more coordinated approach in delivering and using essential workforce development resources and services through enhanced alignment and accountability.
  • Credentials Review.: The Credentials Review Committee is tasked with establishing a definition for credentials of value, creating a framework of quality, and identifying non-degree and degree credentials of value to ensure instructional programs prepare Floridians for in-demand occupations.
  • Technology Integration. The department is developing a new portal that will provide Floridians broader access to education and training options, labor market information, career planning tools, workforce training, and educational support.  

Office of Economic Accountability and Transparency. Implemented this year as required by Ch. 2021-25Laws of Florida, the Office of Economic Accountability and Transparency was established within the Department of Economic Opportunity with the following roles and responsibilities:

  • To provide leadership for the Department's priority issues which require system-level integration of policy, management, and critical objectives from multiple programs and organizations internal to and external to the Department
  • To organize and managed external communications related to the Department's priority issues
  • To promote and facilitate key Department initiatives designed to address priority economic issues and to review data and identify opportunities for innovative ways to address these economic issues
  • To promote strategic planning for the Department

 

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website.
Websites of Interest
U. S. Department of Commerce
Performance Information
Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Section 20.60, Florida Statutes.

Whom do I contact for help?

Department of Economic Opportunity, 850-245-7105

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