TAMPA, Fla. — During her visit in Tampa on Thursday, First Lady Casey DeSantis highlighted that the Department of Children and Families will be deploying $8 million to expand critical child welfare and family support services for families impacted by the opioid epidemic.
- DCF to deploy $8M toward opioid epidemic
- Casey DeSantis highlighted effort during Tampa visit
- First Lady held listening session at Tampa General Hospital
DeSantis, who also serves as Chair of Florida's Children and Youth Cabinet, hosted a listening session on mental health and substance abuse at Tampa General Hospital. The First Lady has been traveling the state hosting these sessions following her recent launch of Hope For Healing Florida, a new multi-agency mental health and substance abuse campaign.
This coordinated effort will incorporate the combined resources of state agencies and private sector partners to better serve the needs of Floridians struggling with those issues, according to the governor's office statement.
“Today was my second listening session this week to highlight the state’s efforts regarding mental health and substance abuse and our commitment to harnessing the power of the public and private sectors as we work toward a 21st century approach to healthcare,” DeSantis said.
She continued by saying, “As part of our continued efforts, the Governor and I are excited to highlight that the Department of Children and Families will be deploying $8 million to expand critical child welfare and family support services, specifically to address children who have been affected by the opioid epidemic. We will continue to do what is necessary and collaborate with our partners to ensure accountability for the taxpayers of this state and get meaningful help to those who are suffering."