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The Florida Statewide Advocacy Council (Section 402.164-167, Florida Statutes) is a Council of 15 volunteers appointed by the Governor to safeguard the health, safety, welfare, and rights of the clients of the programs and services provided by the State of Florida health and human services delivery system from conditions or individuals that constitute a threat to their civil and human rights. The idea of citizen councils for human rights protection was conceived at Miami Sunland in 1972, in reaction to abusive conditions at that facility. The councils were implemented at other facilities for individuals with mental retardation and eventually were codified into law in 1975 as the Statewide Human Rights Advocacy Committee to serve as a third party mechanism to protect the rights of participants in all programs in what was then the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. The SHRAC was succeeded by the Florida Statewide Advocacy Council on July 1, 2000 (s. 1, Ch. 2000-263, Laws of Florida). The 370-plus volunteer members appointed by the Governor investigate complaints about abuse and deprivations of human and constitutional rights, monitor and investigate reports of abuse, monitor programs and facilities that are operated, funded, or contracted by state agencies, review research projects involving human subjects, and generally advocate for the welfare of individuals who are in the care and custody of state agencies in the social service area or private vendors under contract to the stats.
The Statewide Advocacy Council (SAC) reports to the Governor and to the Legislature as to program and services problems and recommendations to correct them. The Council carries out its responsibilities through a statewide network of investigations, monitorings and other mission-related functions performed by Local Advocacy Councils (LACs). The SAC serves as the appellate body for the LACs, receiving appeals on complaints that the LACs have not been able to resolve at the local level. The SAC may address complaints that indicate a threat to the life, safety, or health of individuals, or that are multi-service area in scope without a district appeal. After investigation by the SAC, these issues may be referred to the secretary or agency head or to the Governor for action. SAC members also oversee the LACs and supervise the operation of the LAC system.
Summary:
This series consists of minutes, agendas, and related documentation of the bi-monthly meetings of the Statewide Human Rights Advocacy Committee (SHRAC), including its first meeting after being redesignated the Florida Statewide Advocacy Council in July 2000. The materials document a wide variety of issues of concern to and addressed by SHRAC, such as abuse/complaint reporting procedures; reform and reorganization of juvenile justice, health, mental health, and other social services functions and regulations; clients' access to needed prescription drugs; specific concerns such as Baker Act clients in emergency rooms, abuse of patients at Florida State Hospital, etc.; Committee access to records needed to investigate complaints and issues of concern; regulation of foster homes, adult living facilities, and child care facilities; SHRAC and local committee staffing and training; and numerous other issues. The series also contains background documentation regarding agenda items, including correspondence (e.g. between the state and local committees, with guest speakers, etc.), news articles, and proposed legislation; legislative briefing packets; SHRAC newsletters; and meetings logistics such as guest lists, travel and hotel information, etc.
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Florida. Statewide Human Rights Advocacy Committee. Florida. Dept. of Health and Rehabilitative Services. Florida. Dept. of Children and Families Florida. Dept. of Health. Florida. Dept. of Juvenile Justice.
Social services. Human rights Florida Human services Florida Health facilities Florida Medical care Florida Mental health Florida Health care. Health services.
Minutes. aat Agendas. aat
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Florida. Statewide Human Rights Advocacy Committee.
for detailed listing.