Florida Coalition For Children

The mission of the Florida Coalition for Children (FCC) is to advocate on behalf of Florida’s abused, abandoned, neglected, and at-risk children, and to support the agencies and individuals who work on their behalf. With over 60 years of history in the state, FCC, which was originally called the Florida Association of Child and Family Agencies (FACFA), has grown and transformed alongside the child welfare system. In 2002, after the statewide implementation of a new community-based child welfare system, the Coalition changed its name and restructured to form an unprecedented partnership between child welfare service providers and the emerging community-based care lead agencies. The vision of the Coalition is to see a system of child welfare in Florida that is fully resourced, well managed and fulfills the needs of our State's vulnerable children. Our member agencies care for nearly children and families in crisis each year, providing critical services and programs to this vulnerable population throughout the state. Some of these services include residential and group home care, emergency shelters, residential treatment centers, counseling, foster family services, adoption services, early intervention and prevention programs and various in-home support services. They also support those who have aged out of the foster care system and are utilizing the state’s independent living program. FCC staff facilitates member collaboration and resource sharing, and alongside our members, educate state and local policymakers on the needs of Florida’s foster, adoptive and in-crisis families. Maintaining a strong presence in Tallahassee, the location of our headquarters, FCC works with lobbyists, the legislative and executive branches, child welfare advocates, and members of the public to monitor and affect legislation relevant to our members and the children and families they serve. Child and family well-being can be reached by understanding the lived experience.