Nearly 59,000 families in Florida will be receiving $450 checks per child under an initiative from Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration and the state's Department of Children and Families.
Entitled the "Hope Florida - A Pathway to Prosperity" initiative that was started by First Lady Casey DeSantis and implemented by the Florida Department of Children and Families, each family will receive one-time payments of $450 for each child.
"I am on a mission to make sure that no child in Florida goes without hope, happiness, and a home," Casey DeSantis said Tuesday in Tampa. "That means doing everything we can to support those who have stepped up and welcomed these children into their homes, as well as local partners that are already lending families a helping hand.”
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The state did not specify in a news release which families will be receiving the money, but said some foster families will be getting the $450 payments. The payments will come from the state's $35.5 million budget.
The "Hope Florida" initiative hopes to "guide Floridians on an individualized path to prosperity by focusing on community collaboration between the private sector, faith-based community, nonprofits, and government entities to break down traditional community silos in an effort to maximize resources and uncover opportunities," the state said.
Florida will also give a portion of the nearly $70 million secured in Gov. DeSantis' Freedom First budget money toward mentorship programs.
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“Our department is always looking for ways to build strong and resilient families, and these announcements will be an immense boost to our caregivers who are preparing to send children back to school this fall,” said DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris.
