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foster care

Why children die – Part 1: If Everybody’s responsible, nobody’s responsible

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

“Foster care kids are our kids. They are our kids,” said Boca Raton Democratic Sen. Kevin Rader in support of legislation making it easier for youth in state custody to obtain a driver’s license. You hear that line a lot — a lot — from “leadership” at the Department of Children & Families (DCF), and from the flacks who wear the skirts behind which “leadership” hides. It means nothing. It means less than nothing. Latest case in point: Lauryn Martin-Everett.…

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New law gives thousands of foster care teens big boost in acquiring driver’s privileges

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

State legislators voted Thursday unanimously in favor of making a three-year pilot project called “Keys to Independence” — begun in 2014 and intended to aid eligible teens in the state foster care system attain driver’s licenses and overcome associated hurdles — permanent, bringing them on par with their peer group. Autonomy is what most teenagers crave — driving is a key to that freedom and competitive edge. In previous decades, adolescents under the custody of the state of Florida faced…

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College student files to challenge Neil Combee in HD 39

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Victor E. Sims spent much of his childhood in foster care, going from house to house. Now, as an adult with a college degree upcoming, he is running for the Florida Legislature challenging an incumbent state representative. Sims, a Winter Haven Democrat, officially opened his campaign Thursday for House District 39 held by Rep. Neil Combee, a Polk City Republican who is seeking his third two-year term. Now 20, Sims said he will complete his bachelor’s degree from University of…

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Amy Foster officially becomes a mom tomorrow

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

St. Pete City Council member Amy Foster will officially become a mom Tuesday morning, her Facebook page announces. She’s been navigating the adoption process since March, when she took in a senior in high school that had bounced from home to home for several years. Foster is adopting 18-year-old Mariah Boyd, who just graduated from high school in Polk County. She’s doing so despite the fact that Boyd is technically an adult and without a second thought that she’s only…

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