Statewide Quality Assurance Report

Florida Department of Children and FamiliesCase Management Services - 2009-2010 Quality Assurance ReportResources- Provide opportunities for youth to get exposure to career programs throughshadowing, tours and internships. Seek out resources to secure funding, grants and donationsto assist youth in purchasing their first car and paying for car insurance. Work with the localHartline bus company for “real” meaningful discounts for monthly bus passes as $60 and even$45 if discounted is a lot for teens that work only a few hours a week or only receive $12 amonth in allowance. Seek local and state support for the continued funding of Road toIndependence and Independent Living.West Palm Beach - Youth Perspective RoundtableHello, I am Marcus former group home resident. I am 18 years of age and now have myown apartment at Vita Nova Villages. I attend Palm Beach Lakes Community High School in WestPalm Beach FL. I am a senior and also the Head Drum Major of my band. I feel as though myvoice is important because I am the source to all of your problems. I am the solution; I am the“come to” person. You all have questions and I have the answers. There are flaws and loosescrews in certain places that you need my help to tighten them. I am one of the many youth thatcan help you take that next step towards perfection to make these programs a better, supreme,and more of a “home like” environment. The problems I see in group homes are gratefulness,appreciation, role models, attention, stern guidance, and academics. These six problems cancause the youth to be ill prepared once he or she has leaves the program and now have to be anupstanding citizen in our community and role models for the toddlers, youth, and teenagers ofthe new generation. I was always told “it starts at home” which means whatever is enforced athome it will be instilled into the youth and the youth will perform it in the community whereverhe or she goes. So this goes from as far as respect, discipline, manners, communication skills,appreciation, and so forth and so on. The men and women that work at the group homes arenot only serving the youth but also the world. I say that because the youth that they arewatching will learn their habits, language, and morals, and that will rub off onto the youth andthe youth will take that and copy cat that where they go. It is imperative that the staff membersset a good example for these kids because we are the future. I feel as though the staff membersshould take their jobs seriously and teach these kids by example and start practicing whateverthey preach. If the kids are not brought up the way we know is the right way I hate to say it butinstead of looking at your future business men and women, your doctors, you lawyers, your thisOffice of Family Safety | Page 40