Family Support Services is now in charge of the foster care system in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. This comes after the previous agency, Eckerd Connects, lost their contract with the state in 2021. Now Family Support Services (FSS) is tasked with earning the trust of the people involved with the foster system in the two counties. FSS says it’s ready for the challenge and that positive changes are coming to the foster care system.
At the moment, there are over 2,600 children in foster care in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. Because of this large number of children, FSS is planning to construct a new building in Pinellas that will serve as a welcoming space for children and families. They also hope to reduce the number of children in out-of-home care in Pinellas and Pasco Counties by 30% by 2024.
They are also in need of more employees. Right now, they are working hard to recruit more social workers. In the meantime, FSS has moved some social workers from their Duval and Nassau offices. They are also partnering with the Florida Department of Children and Families and borrowing social workers from their agency.
ABC Action News covers FSS take over in Pinellas and Pasco
Learn more about Family Support Services
FSS has been the lead agency for community-based care in Duval and Nassau counties. Family Support Services leaders plan to use their model from Duval and Nassau Counties to earn the community’s trust. Their primary goal is to help families so that children can live in a safe and loving environment. They also believe in community-based care. This involves using local resources and local support that is knowledgeable about a child’s needs in their own community.
FOX 13 covers FSS agency takeover
What happened to Eckerd Connects
In 2021, Eckerd Connects lost their contract with the state of Florida. Also around this time, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri started an investigation into Eckerd Connects. He accused them of not having enough space for children and making them sleep in the agency’s office buildings. Eckerd Connects stated that there had been a 40% increase in children being removed from homes by law enforcement over the past two years. However, they stated that the needed increase in funding had not been matched by the state and left them unable to properly do their jobs.