Contact: Ann Arnall, Lee County Human Services

(941) 656-7920

COMMUNITY-BASED CARE TO BE SUBJECT OF PANEL DISCUSSION

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 4, 2000) – The local impact of a new statewide approach for providing child protection services will be the topic of an April 14 panel discussion by the Community Coordinating Council.

The “Community-based care … what will it mean to Southwest Florida?” luncheon and discussion will be held at the Salvation Army Fellowship Hall, 10291 McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost of $10 includes lunch and the registration deadline is April 10. Call 433-2000 for more information.

The panel will include Nadareh Salim (Florida Department of Children & Families), the Honorable James Seals (Lee Circuit Judge), Karen Hawes (Director, Lee County Human Services), Sara Herald (Children’s Home Society) and Marshall Bower (State Attorney’s Office).

The discussion will focus on the Department of Children & Families’ move to a community-based care approach to child protection services statewide.

Last year, the Florida Legislature passed a law that now requires every county to have a model of community-based care implemented no later than Dec. 31, 2002. Because the Legislature did not define the model of community-based care, Lee County will have the opportunity to develop a system of care that best serves its community. However, this so-called “devolution” of services to the local level also will have fiscal implications.

This educational overview and open panel discussion will touch on many areas, including the judicial perspective, service delivery system, impact on local resources and lessons learned. This is the first in a series of forums being sponsored by the Community Coordinating Council to help communities prepare for new initiatives.