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FFS agency takes over foster care system in Pinellas, Pasco counties
Dan Matics reports
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The foster care system in Pinellas and Pasco counties is about to undergo a major overhaul and more social workers are needed to get it done.
There’s a new sheriff in town - so to say, when it comes to fixing the foster care system in Pinellas and Pasco Counties.
"It’s a new day and things are going to look a lot different than they did before," said Jen Petion, CEO of Family Support Services Suncoast.
"FSS" is the agency taking over the foster care system which is responsible for the welfare of more than 2,600 children between the two counties.
It has been tasked with cleaning up a mess. In late 2021, Eckerd Connects lost its contract with the state. At the same time Sheriff Bob Gualtieri launched a criminal investigation that accused Eckerd Connects of making children sleep in its office buildings because it had nowhere to put them.
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Former foster child recalls treatment in Pinellas system under Eckerd
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: After the Pinellas Sheriff's Office announced an investigation into one of the county's state-contracted foster care and social services agencies, those who have been through the system are sharing their experiences being forced to stay overnight in offices not meant for housing children.
The sheriff says some of the children also went unsupervised, had dirty clothes and not enough food.
READ 'I still deal with nightmares': Former foster child recalls Eckerd Connects experiences
Petion says Family Support Services can make the change because they are new and have experience operating in other regions.
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Eckerd board chair says lack of state funding impacted children
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Earlier this week, the state decided not to renew its contract with Eckerd Connects, the agency that provides those foster care services. Now, the sheriff says their actions may have been criminal.
"We’ve got a track record of going in and working with our partners to reduce the number of kids in the out-of-home care system," she said.
READ Bay Area group needs help sending foster families on free trip to Disney World
FSS also has millions of more dollars in its budget, approved by the legislature and is awaiting the governor’s signature.
There’s still a dire need for more social workers, something they are trying to make happen through a series of job fairs.
Learn more about the positions available at https://familysupport.org/.