TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health announces that Florida Children’s Medical Services (CMS) has been awarded $1.32 million in grants by the Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist’s Office. The grant will fund $500,000 annually for Sexual Abuse Treatment Programs and $160,000 to develop a multi-purpose Telehealth Network in South Florida and the Florida Keys. The funds are allocated from the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime, Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).
“The support for these programs will extend the abilities of Children’s Medical Services to further help Florida’s youth,” said Deputy Secretary for Children's Medical Services S. Elizabeth Ford, MD, MBA. “I am excited to see the improvements in sexual abuse programs that this money makes possible with the incorporation of the Telehealth Network.”
“There is no greater tragedy than the sexual abuse of a child and we will lend any help needed,” said Attorney General Charlie Crist. “The protection of and assistance for Florida’s children is our top priority.”
CMS’ Division of Prevention and Intervention contracts with 11 Sexual Abuse Treatment Programs that work to evaluate and provide treatment to children who have been victims of sexual abuse. Most of the programs are affiliated with CMS’ Child Protection Teams. The Telehealth network enhances access care using advanced telecommunication technologies to facilitate quick and efficient evaluation of children with special health care needs; children with or at risk of developmental difficulties; and children suspected to be abused or neglected. With Telehealth’s progressive technology, children and families are able to access specialty care and information quickly and efficiently. The new Florida Keys program will focus primarily on rural and underserved communities serving children and adults.
Currently, Sexual Abuse Treatment Programs are located in Pensacola, Panama City, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Melbourne, Sarasota, Ft. Myers, Daytona Beach, Brooksville, Bartow, and Winter Haven.
Source: Florida Department of Health
