Local child advocates focus on restoring families in Duval and Nassau counties

New statistics show the number of children in foster care across the United States is rising after a sustained decline.

The numbers in Georgia nearly doubled in the last three years and there have also been increases in Florida.

Action News Jax found that locally, Duval and Nassau counties have some of the lowest rates of children being removed in the state. Local child advocates tell us it’s their goal to make sure children are not left in limbo.

Lauren Simao and her husband love being foster parents to a sweet 1-year-old girl and 9-month-old boy.

“It’s fun.  We enjoy it.  There’s a lot of life in this house,” Simao said.

Simao has taken on the challenge of specifically caring for children with medical needs.

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“I range about 400 miles a month just going to doctor's appointments,” she said.

Simao also logs a lot of miles taking both kids to visit their biological parents every week.

“I have a great relationship.” Simao added, “We chat, we eat breakfast together and we chat as if we’ve known each other forever.”

Lee Kaywork, CEO of Family Support Services of North Florida, which serves Duval and Nassau counties, said it's all a part of their effort to re-unite local children with their biological families as safely and as quickly as possible.

“We don't allow children to grow up in the foster system in Duval and Nassau County,” Kaywork said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Children and Families tells Action News Jax the main reasons local children are removed from homes include substance abuse, domestic violence and neglect.

Kaywork said in the last several years, they've worked with the Florida Department of Children and Families and countless community organizations to address those root causes and provide resources, fast.

“One of the things we do here that's not done elsewhere in the state, we have a therapist that goes out with investigators during removal so we are engaging with the parents and that child right from the beginning,” said Kaywork.

From there, families go through therapy, parenting classes, drug and alcohol abuse treatment and more based on their needs.

“Rather than follow the state prescribed scheduling process, we do a more intensive program around staffing the case so we're looking at the progress of a case every five, seven and nine months.” Kaywork added, “So we really get our arms around the issues, we're engaging families with services right away and as a result of that, you are really getting better results.”

Accorinding to recent numbers from the state, 51.6 percent of children in Duval and Nassau counties find permanency within 12 months. That exceeds the state average of 41 percent and the national standard of 40.5 percent. Kaywork said some of those children are adopted, but most return to their biological parents or relatives.

Simao said she encourages the biological parents of her foster children to use the resources they are given to improve their lives and restore their families.

“They give them the right tools to get their children back.” Simao said, “They have to prove themselves that they want to be good parents.”

Family Support Services of North Florida said in the last 10 years, the number of children in out-of-home care has dropped by 60 percent.

To learn more about Family Support Services, visit their website.

Cox Media Group