Many children in our communities are removed from the care of their biological parents every single day. Some at birth. And in some instances the parents are able to be rehabilitated and reunified with their children to be productive parents.

However, many times children spend extended amounts of time either in foster care or with a relative caregiver while their parents try to resolve their issues. An extended period being more than 15 months. But the problem is once these children have been reunified they are removed for a second time and then they spend another 15 to 18 months in a foster home or with a relative caregiver. But then the system gives the parents another chance and they send the kids home.

Then, the child is removed for a third time. And then the department wants to still propose working on a case plan for reunification for a fourth time. This is a the huge problem! And this is why I propose The Three Strikes Act. 

Parents should not be allowed unlimited chances to resolve their mental illness and substance abuse issues at the expense of their children’s childhood. I am proposing that if a child is removed for the third time that the parents parental rights should automatically be terminated and no reunification goal set or offered. Children should be allowed to go back to the previous home they were at, either foster care or relative caregiver where they thrived the previous removals and not be subjected and traumatized while their biological parents sort out their mental health and substance abuse issues.

I also propose that the department cover the entire cost of play therapy or any therapy the children will need to overcome the trauma they have suffered from the previous failed reunification‘s. This is not a cost the caregivers should be responsible for because the decision to send a child home was the departments decision so they should cover the entirety of that cost.

I also propose attached to this Three Strikes Bill that judges overseeing each case be aware of how many times the children have been removed and how long each time they have been with their biological parents versus caregivers. This information is important and should be used when making decisions about the future of children.

Children deserve stability. They deserve to grow up in a loving home, they deserve to have a normal education and normal life and not be traumatized from going back-and-forth between multiple homes. Children should not be traumatized by being exposed to untreated mental health issues and substance-abuse issues of their biological parents and or their spouses repeatedly. Children need stability to become productive members of society. 

 

I also proposal attached to The Three Strikes Act that once a child has been removed for the third time that a review takes place of the previous cases to figure out what went wrong. This is important information to prevent children from being removed multiple times from stable homes and placed in homes not ready or appropriate for children. To prevent future trauma.

So please Governor Ron DeSantis I am pleading with you to please pass The Three Strikes Act and protect our vulnerable population who cannot speak for themselves! This act is aimed at improving the lives of children in Florida and protecting our most vulnerable population. 

The Three Strikes Act,

1-Once a biological parent and/or parents has had their children removed form their home for the third time for the same or similar issues as previous two removals, that the parents rights will be automatically terminated.

2-And that the Department of children and families will cover the full cost for play therapy or any other therapies the children may need for the trauma they experience because of the previous failed reunification‘s.

3-And that a full review of all the prior cases involving removal from home will be performed to figure out what went wrong and prevent further failed reunifications for other families.

5-I also propose termination should be held within 90 days of third removal to provide child with stability. 

Thank you.