ISSUE: New coordinator would help troubled teenagers in foster care.

ISSUE: New coordinator would help troubled teenagers in foster care.

WANTED: an innovative administrator to help teenagers make a
successful transition from foster care to living independently.

The new position in Broward County is a creation of concerned business
people, child advocates and foundation executives who recognize a dire
need to improve foster care. Their efforts illustrate the best of
Florida's privatized child-welfare services.

Community-based care began as a controversial concept. At the time,
the Florida Department of Children & Families operated the state's
adoptions, child abuse and neglect, and foster-care programs.
Unfortunately, DCF didn't do a good job of it.

In 1999, Gov. Jeb Bush implemented a major change to privatize
child-welfare services and allow local government agencies and
nonprofits to use public funds to operate DCF's former programs.

Today, community leaders in Broward County have taken the initiative
and run with it, especially in addressing the shortcomings of the
independent living programs that are supposed to help foster teens.

Until recently, DCF forced most teenagers out of foster care once they
turned 18. Many weren't prepared to live on their own after spending
so many years as wards of the state. Many went homeless.

Officials at the Community Foundation of Broward convened a session in
2003 to address the problem. The session led to an even larger
gathering of officials from the Children's Services Council, DCF, the
United Way of Broward County and Child Net, the nonprofit that now
oversees child-welfare services in the county. As importantly, the
foundation invited business leaders to help fix the problem.

Once filled, the new administrator will have his or her hands full
coordinating better services for foster teens. The good news, though,
is the coordinator will have the support of an enlightened and
energetic group of community leaders who are committed to improving
life for foster children in the county.

BOTTOM LINE: The effort embodies the best of Florida's efforts to
privatize child-welfare programs.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opi...news-editorial

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