TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO RESTORE FUNDING FOR REFUGEE SERVICES PROVIDED BY MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FOLLOWING THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

BODY
WHEREAS, already more than 1,000 Haitian children who survived the January 12th earthquake have enrolled in schools in Miami-Dade and Broward counties; and
WHEREAS, Haitian refugees who come to our community are likely to quickly need health care, social services and housing; and
WHEREAS, Haitian refugee children and adults alike will face the challenges not only of adapting to a new environment, but also of dealing with the physical harm, emotional scars and loss of family members, friends, homes and communities from the earthquake; and
WHEREAS, through its Department of Human Services, Miami-Dade County currently provides services to newly-arrived refugees from Cuba, Haiti and Colombia; and
WHEREAS, services are outreach in nature and frequently involve immigrant children who are identified by the Miami-Dade County Public Schools System, although referrals are also received from other community service agencies within Miami-Dade County; and

WHEREAS, refugee services are provided to children, youth and families including prevention and intervention services, tutorial after school care services, individual and group counseling services, and summer camp; and
WHEREAS, refugee services are aimed at reducing the stresses and barriers associated with the immigration process and increasing the likelihood of successful acculturation and achievement of self-sufficiency in the shortest time possible; and
WHEREAS, in the past, the Florida Legislature, through the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), has provided funding to Miami-Dade County to partially offset the cost of providing refugee services; and
WHEREAS, in fiscal year 2005-06, DCF provided Miami-Dade County $2.134 million in funding for refugee services, but in fiscal year 2006-07, this funding was reduced to $1.035 million and has remained relatively constant at the reduced level since then; and
WHEREAS, the State of Florida should do its part to provide funding and services for Haitian refugees from the January 12th earthquake; and
WHEREAS, estimates from the latest U.S. Census show that Miami-Dade receives 74 percent of all refugees arriving in the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, in the wake of the January 12th earthquake in Haiti, the time has come for the Florida Legislature to reinstate funding for refugee programs provided by Miami-Dade County,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to restore funding for refugee services provided by Miami-Dade County, through its Department of Human Services following the recent earthquake in Haiti to meet the increased demand for services.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegations and the Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Family Services.
Section 3. Directs the County's state lobbyists to advocate for the legislation set forth in Section 1 above, and authorizes and directs that the 2010 State Legislative Package be amended to include this item.