Florida families begin receiving Hope Florida checks

Some Florida families are beginning to receive $450 checks as part of an initiative to assist parents.

The checks are being sent to 59,000 families in the state.

"As a father of three young children, I know that getting ready for a new school year can be both exciting and stressful," Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote in a letter published on Twitter by Press Secretary Christina Pushaw. "To offset the costs of rising inflation, especially with a new school year approaching, the state of Florida is giving you $450 for each child in your care. This one-time payment can be used for anything from buying diapers to fueling at the pump. I also want to make sure you are aware of our state's Back-to-School sales-tax holiday, which will take place from July 25 to Aug. 7, to help you get the supplies you need to prepare for the upcoming school year. Supplies that will be tax-free during this time include clothing, bags, computers, shoes and other school supplies.

"Please accept this payment as a form of gratitude and acknowledgement for all that you do to help nurture Florida's future," DeSantis wrote. "God bless you, and God bless the great state of Florida."

Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis included information about these checks in a recent press release regarding her Hope Florida — A Pathway to Prosperity initiative.

The Hope Florida — A Pathway to Prosperity initiative, implemented by the Florida Department of Children and Families, utilizes ‘Care Navigators’ to guide Floridians on an individualized path to prosperity by focusing on community collaboration between the private sector, faith-based community, nonprofits and government entities to break down traditional community silos in an effort to maximize resources and uncover opportunities. The goal is to help individuals realize economic self-sufficiency and prosperity.

First Lady DeSantis discussed the initiative at a roundtable July 15, in Tampa. She discusses several major announcements, including:

1. An expansion of the Hope Florida — A Pathway to Prosperity program to include foster and adoptive families so they have a comprehensive one-stop-shop to call and connect with dedicated Care Navigators who can offer support and guidance for immediate and future family needs.

2. A portion of the nearly $70 million secured by Gov. DeSantis in the Freedom First Budget for fatherhood initiatives will go toward mentorship opportunities for Florida’s children, including foster children, through Hope Florida — A Pathway to Prosperity.

3. $35.5 million in Gov. DeSantis’ budget will support nearly 59,000 Florida families with a one-time payment of $450 per child, which includes foster families.

4. Launch of the First Lady’s “Hope Florida Fund” that harnesses the charity of the private sector to give funds to deserving local entities. First Lady DeSantis presented two checks of $5,000 each to two Tampa non-profits: Sleep in Heavenly Peace and A Life New Warehouse.

“We are doubling down on bringing together public and private groups to collaborate and communicate with and on behalf of Floridians,” First Lady Casey DeSantis said. “We are going beyond government by bringing community partners to the table to meet the needs of foster and adoptive families under the umbrella of my Hope Florida — A Pathway to Prosperity initiative. I am on a mission to make sure that no child in Florida goes without hope, happiness and a home. That means doing everything we can to support those who have stepped up and welcomed these children into their homes, as well as local partners that are already lending families a helping hand.”

To receive support from Hope Florida — A Pathway to Prosperity, Floridians can call the Hope Line at 850-300-HOPE. Additional information can be found at HopeFlorida.com.

Prospective foster parents can call 1-83 Foster FL to connect with current or former foster parents.