Legislation Impacting the Department of Juvenile Justice - HB 509

CS/HB 509 – Children’s Services
By Healthcare Council; Ausley and others
Identical or Similar Bills: CS/SB 564
Committee(s) of Reference: Healthcare Council; Healthy Families

CS/HB 509 creates a Children and Youth Cabinet in the Office of the Governor to
coordinate state agency policy and services for children and youth.

Members of the cabinet include the Secretaries of Children and Families, Juvenile Justice, Health, and Health Care Administration; the Directors of the Agencies for Persons with Disabilities, and Workforce Innovation; the Commissioner of Education; and the Directors of the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office and the Office of Child Abuse Prevention.

Five members appointed by the Governor will represent children and youth advocacy organizations.

The bill requires the cabinet to develop a strategic plan to align public resources for children from prenatal care through transition to adulthood, and to measure their results.

Approved by the Governor June 15, 2007. These provisions take effect July 1, 2007.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 119-0

Statement By Gov. Charlie Crist - Tax Cut

The Largest Tax Cut In Florida History


“I congratulate Senate President Ken Pruitt and House Speaker Marco Rubio and the many other legislators who have worked tirelessly to build consensus among the members of the Legislature and deliver the largest tax cut in Florida history.

I specifically want to commend Senators Daniel Webster, Steve Geller and Mike Haridopolos and Representatives Dean Cannon and Dan Gelber for their good work. Because everyone worked together, property taxes will drop like a rock.

“This is the people’s tax cut and the power to further cut taxes is now in their hands. On January 29, the people will have the power to cut their taxes in a historic way. “It is clear that without property insurance and property tax reform, Florida has been becoming unaffordable. I join Floridians across our state in expressing gratitude to the Florida Legislature for listening to the people’s needs. By reining in these high costs, the people of Florida who have been hesitant to become first-time home buyers will once again be able to live the American dream of home ownership.

Likewise, people who have been reluctant to move to a home better suited to their needs will once again have the freedom to follow their dreams. “Thanks to the good work of the Legislature, lower property taxes will ignite the real estate market, and Florida’s economy will continue to boom. By lowering property insurance rates and cutting property taxes, we will create a better bottom line for Floridians, and for Florida.”

Interim Committee Meetings

The House has released a tentative interim planning schedule for the upcoming 2008 session. ==========================================
Proposed House Interim Committee Schedule
==========================================
September 17-20 Interim Committee Meetings
October 1-5 Interim Committee Meetings
November 5-9 Interim Committee Meetings
December 10-14 Interim Committee Meetings
January 7-11 Interim Committee Meetings
January 22-25 Interim Committee Meetings
February 4-8 Interim Committee Meetings
February 18-22 Interim Committee Meetings
March 4 Opening Day of the 2008 Regular Session

Legislation Impacting the Department of Juvenile Justice - HB 989

Yesterday, Governor Crist approved HB 989 - Relating to Crime Victims.

CS/HB 989 – Crime Victims
By Safety & Security Council; Snyder and others
Identical or Similar Bills: CS/CS/SB 642
Committee(s) of Reference: Safety & Security Council; Homeland Security &
Public Safety; Policy & Budget Council

This bill expands the rights and services for victims of sexual offenses, including sexual battery and lewd or lascivious offenses. The bill expands the rights and services for victims of sexual offenses as follows:

· Allows a victim advocate to be present (at a sexual offense victim’s request) during the forensic medical exam;

· Provides that a criminal justice official (law enforcement officer, prosecuting attorney, or other government official) may not ask for or require a lie detector test to be taken by a victim before a law enforcement agency will investigate a sexual offense allegation;

· Requires the court to order prescribed defendants to undergo an HIV test within 48 hours after the court orders such testing.

This bill was signed into law on June 12, 2007, by the Governor, Ch. 2006-, L.O.F. These provisions take effect July 1, 2007.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 113-0

Legislation Impacting the Department of Juvenile Justice

Yesterday, Governor Crist approved SB 1974 Relating to State Information Technology, which was sponsored by the Senate Governmental Operations Committee.

The bill creates the Agency for Enterprise Information Technology (AEIT) within the Executive Office of the Governor. The executive director of AEIT is the state chief information officer (SCIO) of the state and the executive sponsor for all IT projects. AEIT will have the following responsibilities and duties:

• Develop and implement strategies for the design, delivery, and management of IT services for executive branch agencies;
• Make recommendations to the SCIO and Legislature concerning other IT services that should be designed, delivered, and managed;
• Develop a work plan describing the activities the AEIT intends to undertake and the proposed outcomes;
• Develop policy recommendations and implementation plans for current and proposed IT services; and
• Assess and recommend minimum operating procedures for ensuring an adequate level of security for all data and IT resources for executive branch agencies.

The bill also:

• Removes the Technology Resource Center (TRC) from the State Technology Office (STO);
• Establishes the TRC in the Department of Management Services (DMS);
• Requires AEIT to designate a chief information security officer;
• Provides for DMS to assume the duties and responsibilities of STO;
• Requires AEIT to publish annually, no later than September 30 each year, standards, templates, guidelines, and procedures to enable agencies to incorporate them in their planning for the following fiscal year;
• Requires AEIT to develop implementation plans for up to three of the proposed enterprise IT services beginning fiscal year 2008-2009; and
• Requires each agency head to develop written internal policies and procedures for notifying AEIT when an information security incident occurs or data is compromised.

Vote: Senate 39-0; House 119-0

HHS Program Builds Capacity of Faith-Based and Community Organizations Serving Youth

HHS Program Builds Capacity of Faith-Based and Community Organizations Serving Youth

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Administration for Children and Families is seeking grant applications for its Compassion Capital Fund Communities Empowering Youth Program

Under the program, funds will be awarded to build the organizational capacity of experienced organizations, their collaborating faith-based and community partners, and the resulting community collaborations to better meet the needs of America's disadvantaged youth.

Successful applicants will provide training and technical assistance in four critical areas: leadership development, organizational development, program development, and community engagement.

The application deadline is July 10, 2007.

Resources:

For further information about this funding opportunity, visit
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/HHS-2007-ACF-OCS-IC-0141.html

To learn more about the Compassion Capital Fund, visit

http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ccf/

Bills Presented to Governor Crist for Signature

SB 0988 Relating to High-risk Offenders (Argenziano)
----- Signed by Officers and presented to Governor (Governor
must act on this bill by 06/26/07)

SB 1232 Relating to Career & Professional Education (Gaetz)
----- Signed by Officers and presented to Governor (Governor
must act on this bill by 06/26/07)

HB 1315 Relating to Broward & Palm Beach Counties' Boundaries (Hasner)
----- Signed by Officers and presented to Governor (Governor
must act on this bill by 06/26/07)

HB 1477 Relating to Forensic Mental Health (Ausley)
----- Signed by Officers and presented to Governor (Governor
must act on this bill by 06/26/07)

SB 1604 Relating to Sexual Offenders & Predators (Argenziano)
----- Signed by Officers and presented to Governor (Governor
must act on this bill by 06/26/07)

Applicants Sought for OJJDP Gang Prevention Program

Applicants Sought for OJJDP Gang Prevention Program

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) seeks applicants for its Gang Prevention Coordination Assistance Program solicitation. The program will provide funding to enhance coordination of local, state, and federal resources in support of community partnerships implementing two or more of the following anti-gang strategies: primary prevention, secondary prevention, gang intervention, and gang enforcement.

Applications are invited from public agencies and private organizations (including faith- and community-based organizations).The application deadline is June 22, 2007, and applicants should register with Grants.Gov as early as possible to prevent delays in submitting their applications by the deadline.

Resources:

For additional information about this funding opportunity, visit

http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/funding/FundingDetail.asp?fi=85.

Questions should be addressed to Phelan Wyrick, Gang Program Coordinator, at phelan.wyrick@usdoj.gov or 202-353-9254, or Stephanie Rapp, Grant Program Specialist, at stephanie.rapp@usdoj.gov or 202-514-9123.

Directory Provides Information on Federal Resources for Missing and Exploited Children

Directory Provides Information on Federal Resources for Missing and Exploited Children

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) announces the availability of Federal Resources on Missing and Exploited Children: A Directory for Law Enforcement and Other Public and Private Agencies

Developed by the Federal Agency Task Force for Missing and Exploited Children, the directory, currently in its fifth edition, describes federal services, programs, publications, and training sessions that address child sexual exploitation issues, child pornography, child abduction, Internet crime, and missing children cases.

Resources:

"Federal Resources on Missing and Exploited Children: A Directory for Law Enforcement and Other Public and Private Agencies" (NCJ 216857) is available online at http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/publications/PubAbstract.asp?pubi=238478

Print copies may be ordered at http://ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/AlphaList.aspx

For quick access, search by document number.

OJJDP Announces Prevention and Intervention Programs Solicitation

OJJDP Announces Prevention and Intervention Programs Solicitation

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) invites applicants for its Prevention and Intervention Programs solicitation, which is intended to demonstrate the practical implications for policy and practice of programs that enhance juvenile justice, child protection, and delinquency prevention.

Applications are limited to private organizations, including faith- and community-based nonprofit organizations.

The application deadline is June 8, 2007, and applicants should register with Grants.Gov as early as possible to prevent delays in submitting their applications by the deadline.

Resources:

For additional information about this funding opportunity, visit http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/grants/solicitations/FY2007/intervention.pdf.Questions should be addressed to Angela Parker, Grant Program Specialist, at angela.parker@usdoj.gov or 202-353-9252, or Lou Ann Holland, Grant Program Specialist, at lou.ann.holland@usdoj.gov or 202-305-2742.

OJJDP Solicitation Supports Mentoring Initiatives

OJJDP Solicitation Supports Mentoring Initiatives

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) seeks applicants for its Support for Mentoring Initiatives solicitation, which will support the implementation of initiatives assisting in the development and enhancement of community programs providing mentoring services to underserved populations.

Applications are limited to private organizations, including faith- and community based organizations.

The application deadline is June 8, 2007, and applicants should register with Grants.Gov as early as possible to prevent delays in submitting their applications by the deadline.

Resources:

For additional information about this funding opportunity, visit http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/grants/solicitations/FY2007/mentoring.pdf.Questions should be addressed to Gwendolyn Williams, Grant Program Specialist, at gwendolyn.williams@usdoj.gov or 202-616-1611, or Cora Roy-Stevens, Grant Program Specialist, at cora.roy-stevens@usdoj.gov or 202-616-3659.

OJJDP Announces Solicitation for Reentry and Family Strengthening Initiatives

OJJDP Announces Solicitation for Reentry and Family Strengthening Initiatives

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) invites applicants for its High-Risk Youth Offender Reentry and Family Strengthening Initiatives solicitation.

The Reentry Initiative will fund high-risk youth offender reentry strategies and programs designed to promote collaboration among Departments of Juvenile Corrections, faith-based and community-based organizations, and providers serving youth offenders returning to their families and communities, following a period of confinement in a juvenile residential facility.

The Family Strengthening Initiative will support family strengthening strategies and programs that focus on improving family economic success, family support systems, and building thriving and nurturing communities in which healthy families can pursue long-term goals.

Eligible applicants are public agencies (including state agencies, units of local government, public universities and colleges, and tribal governments) and private organizations (including faith- and community-based nonprofit organizations).The application deadline is June 8, 2007, and applicants should register with Grants.Gov as early as possible to prevent delays in submitting their applications by the deadline.

Resources:

For additional information about this funding opportunity, visit http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/grants/solicitations/FY2007/Reentry.pdf.Questions should be addressed to Thomas Murphy, Grant Program Specialist, at thomas.murphy@usdoj.gov or 202-353-8734, or Jacqueline O'Reilly, Grant Program Specialist, at jacqueline.o'reilly@usdoj.gov or 202-514-5024.

OJJDP Seeks Applicants for Substance Abuse Programs Solicitation

OJJDP Seeks Applicants for Substance Abuse Programs Solicitation

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) seeks applicants under its Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention Programs solicitation, which is intended to demonstrate the practical implications for policy and practice of substance abuse programs or strategies that enhance juvenile justice, child protection, and delinquency prevention.

Applications are invited from public agencies (including state agencies, units of local government, public universities and colleges, and tribal governments) and private organizations (including faith- and community-based nonprofit organizations).The application deadline is June 8, 2007, and applicants should register with Grants.Gov as early as possible to prevent delays in submitting their applications by the deadline.

Resources:

For additional information about this funding opportunity, visit http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/grants/solicitations/FY2007/SubAbuse.pdf.Questions should be addressed to Jennifer Yeh, Grant Program Specialist, at jennifer.yeh2@usdoj.gov or 202-616-9135 or Sharie Cantelon, Grant Program Specialist, at sharie.cantelon@usdoj.gov or 202-616-3658.

OJJDP Announces Solicitation for Project Safe Childhood Programs

OJJDP Announces Solicitation for Project Safe Childhood Programs

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) invites applicants for its Project Safe Childhood Programs solicitation.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative combats the proliferation of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children by facilitating collaboration among U.S. Attorneys, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces, and other national and community groups to investigate, prosecute, and prevent such crimes.
This solicitation seeks applicants to support the initiative under Parts A and B. Part A requests proposals for collaboration with OJJDP to develop community awareness and public education programs which can be delivered to national audiences and to specific target populations. Part B requests proposals to develop and deliver Internet-safety training and education in discrete communities.

Eligible applicants are private organizations (including faith- and community-based nonprofit organizations).

The application deadline is June 15, 2007, and applicants should register with Grants.Gov as early as possible to prevent delays in submitting their applications by the deadline.

Resources:

For additional information about this funding opportunity, visit http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/funding/FundingDetail.asp?fi=83.

Questions should be addressed to Cecilia Duquela-Fuentes, Grant Program Specialist, at cecilia.duquela@usdoj.gov or 202-514-9372.

OJJDP Guide Helps Children Whose Brother or Sister Has Been Abducted

OJJDP Guide Helps Children Whose Brother or Sister Has Been Abducted

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) announces the availability of "What About Me? Coping With the Abduction of a Brother or Sister."

Written by siblings of abducted children, this guide contains information to help children of all ages when their brother or sister has been kidnapped. Written in child-friendly language, it provides such children with insights into what they might expect to feel following the abduction, related events that may ensue, and steps that they may take to cope with their feelings.
Resources:

"What About Me? Coping With the Abduction of a Brother or Sister” (NCJ 217714) is available online at http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/publications/PubAbstract.asp?pubi=239397.
Print copies may be ordered at http://www.ncjrs.gov/app/publications/ alphaList.aspx. For quick access, search by document number.

OJJDP Announces Drug Courts/Reclaiming Futures Solicitation

OJJDP Announces Drug Courts/Reclaiming Futures Solicitation

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) seeks applicants for its Drug Courts/Reclaiming Futures solicitation. Through this initiative, OJJDP is partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to enhance the capacity of states, state and local courts, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments to serve substance-abusing juvenile offenders by developing and establishing juvenile drug courts applying the Reclaiming Futures program model.

Applicants are limited to states, state courts, local courts, units of local government, and Indian tribal governments, acting directly or through agreement with other public or private entities.
The application deadline is June 20, 2007, and applicants should register with Grants.Gov as early as possible to prevent delays in submitting their applications by the deadline.

Resources:

For additional information about this funding opportunity, visit http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/funding/FundingDetail.asp?fi=84

Questions should be addressed to Gwen Williams, Grants Program Specialist, at gwendolyn.williams@usdoj.gov or 202-616-1611.