Florida’s most vulnerable children are being failed — not just by circumstance, but by the very government meant to protect them.

An investigation by the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald has uncovered that the DeSantis administration diverted more than $1 million from child welfare programs to fund political ad campaigns. That money was supposed to help foster kids, support struggling families, and prevent children from being taken from their homes. Instead, it paid for TV and radio ads attacking ballot amendments on abortion and marijuana — without telling the public.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) used federal grant money meant for child protection and family services to push a political agenda. These funds were intended to provide counseling, parenting support, and direct care for kids in crisis. At a time when Florida’s foster care system continues to face overwhelming need, this redirection of money is not just wrong — it’s dangerous.

We demand immediate action.

We call on DCF Secretary Taylor Hatch and leaders in the Florida Legislature to:

• Conduct a full and public accounting of how foster care funds were spent on political messaging
• Immediately return any diverted funds to child welfare programs
• Enact safeguards to ensure money intended for vulnerable children can never be used for political purposes again
• No child in foster care should lose a bed, a counselor, or a chance at healing because of political games.

When government agencies exploit kids for campaign wins, the public has a right — and a responsibility — to speak up. If you believe every dollar intended to protect children should be used for exactly that, add your name now.