Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1211FY0102

Child Protection Investigations-Sheriffs Operations

Requester:

Donald F. Eslinger, Sheriff

Organization:

Seminole County Sheriff's Dept.

Project Title:

Child Protection Investigations-Sheriffs Operations

Date Submitted:

1/18/2002 2:45:52 PM

Sponsors:

Anna Cowin

Statewide Interest:

These funds will be used to provide Child Protective Investigations through the Sheriffs offices in Seminole, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Broward counties.

Seminole County - Contact: Jolen Schulte - 407-665-6742

Manatee County - Contact: Major Connie Shingledecker - 941-747-3011, Ext. 2225

Pasco County - Contact: Steve Blumenthal - 727-841-4143

Pinellas County - Contact:� Captain Rod Steckel - 727-582-6419

Broward County - Major Paul Lauria - 954-327-2756

Recipient:

Sheriff's� Departments (AS LISTED)

Contact:

Jolene Schulte

Seminole, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas & Broward

Contact Phone:

(407) 665-6742

Various 32773

Counties:

Broward, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Seminole

Gov't Entity:

Yes

Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit):

Project Description:

In Fiscal Year 2001-2002 it is estimated by the Department of Children & Families that these five sheriffs offices handled over 20% of the total Protective Investigation cases statewide.� This request will facilitate the program continuation for existing Sheriff Child Protection Investigation Operations.� All Sheriff's agencies listed currently conduct all investigations in to allegations of child abuse, neglect or abandonment within the respective counties. Investigations are referred from the Florida Abuse Hotline to each sheriff's agency who retain the responsibility for the case until it is closed.� Investigations also can include coordination of in-home services with DCF (or contractor) where deemed necessary, the removal of children from the home in serious cases, placement with the Department of Children & Families for temporary shelter care, and provide information to law enforcement to insure appropriate review of allegations that maybe criminal in nature.� The funding breakdown for this request is:

Seminole - $310,008; Manatee - $131,376; Pasco - $276,667; Pinellas - $779,667 and Broward $377,535.

Measurable Outcome Anticipated:

Investigations completed within 60 days - target goal of 100%.� Cases commence withn 24 hours - target goal of 100%.� Supervisory review to insure early warning indicators are acted upon - target goal of 100%.� Reduction in backlog cases over 60 days old to the state goal of below 75% of cases received in a 30-day period.� Timely and appropriate removal of children in all cases where deemed necessary.� Adequate referral of in-home services as needed in all cases.� Maintain investigator staffing to ensure timely case turnaround.

Amount requested from the State for this project this year:

$1,875,531

Total cost of the project:

$28,312,681

Request has been made to fund:

Operations

What type of match exists for this project?

None

Was this project previously funded by the State?

Yes

Fiscal Year:

2001-2002

Amount:

$26,437,150

Is future-year funding likely to be requested?

Unknown

Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?

Yes

Agency:

Children And Families, Department Of

Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?

Yes

Is there a documented need for this project?

Yes

Documentation:

Various report/statistics/caseload increase

Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?

Yes

Hearing Body:

Seminole Legislative Delegation

Meeting Date:

9/6/2001