Delivering Policy Solutions 

There were several legislative updates and wins for the month of April. Check out some of the highlights and tell us what you think.

Coming Together to Become #WaterWarriors

This month, members of the community came together at the Palmetto Bay Village Chambers for the Why Water Matters Summit, co-hosted by my office and the Everglades Foundation.

Becoming Water Warriors in Palmetto Bay

Upcoming Policy Solutions 

May will be an important legislative month, with items on prosperity and transparency going before the Board.

• On May 17th, the Board will vote on my resolution for CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) reform. My legislation provides 13 reforms that will ensure that CRAs serve as drivers for economic mobility and eliminate slum and blight in our community.  
• My item requiring Commissioners to disclose when a conflict of interest exists on a matter presented to the Commission will go to a final vote on May 17th.

Please contact us with any questions about the legislation and how to get involved: 305-375-5218, [email protected].

Town Hall on Turkey Point Cooling Canals

On May 12th, I will co-host a town hall in conjunction with the Village of Palmetto Bay, to understand causes and cures of the pollution leaking into our waters from the Turkey Point power plant.

Summer Time and the Living is Easy

Summer is just around the corner and there are plenty of activities and opportunies available in South Dade. Read on and reach out if you have any questions or suggestions.

Join Me for an Important Discussion on Healthcare

On May 11th, Florida CHAIN and the Florida Health Alliance will bring together community stakeholders to disuss the urgent state of healthcare in Miami-Dade. Afterwards, a group of faith leaders will host a summit on health equity. I am looking forward to speaking about local healthcare policy. I hope to see you there.

#Prosperity305

As part of my Prosperity Agenda, I sponsored a resolution to partner Miami-Dade with the FIU Metropolitican Center to explore the state of prosperity and equity in the county. The report includes several recommendations to begin closing the widening inequality gap in the county. The report will be officially released on May 25th at the 6th annual State of the South Florida Economy at 8:30 am. Be sure to register in advance.

I am confident that we can make Miami-Dade more equitable and accessible for all as we collaborate to implement these policy recommendations.

South Dade Goes Global

Are you interested in expanding your business beyond borders? Attend the District 8 Going Global Workshop on May 25th. Learn all there is to know about import/export trade expansion, including strategies for international expansion, trade financing and regulatory compliance, The workshop is free and will be held at the South Dade Regional Library. Check out the e-vite for registration information.

Become Part of the Miami-Dade Team and Join a County Board

Are you interested in getting involved and voting on County issues? We have several board vacancies available on a range of issues, including vacancies on boards related to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (transportation) and the youth commission (high school sophomores and juniors). Please contact Johanna at 305-375-5218 for more information.

Great in 8 Profile: Highlighting Foster Families

The month of May is Foster Care Awareness Month. In honor of this special month, Team 8 is working with Our Kids of Miami-Dade/Monroe to raise awareness on the children in the foster system and how to become a foster parent. Every year, thousands of abused, abandoned and neglected children enter foster care in Miami-Dade. At any given time, as many as 3,400 children in both jurisdictions are in the child welfare system. Our Kids, created in 2002, creates a safe haven for children and families through foster care and adoption. For this month's Great in 8 profile, we are showcasing a beautiful foster family. Read on to find out this South Dade family's journey.

Jeanine Rojas became a foster parent two years ago and was part of the first Our Kids graduating class. Jeanine explains that she made the decision to foster becuase "I knew there was a need for foster parents. I felt like these kids needed love and I needed them as much as they needed me." Jeanine's three children are all adopted.

Jeanine understands that many people may not know how to become a foster parent or believe that they are not ready to foster due to financial or personal circumstances. However, she quickly learned that single individuals, renters and members of the LGBTQ community all have the potential to give a home to a foster child. Our Kids answered many of her questions during their five week course, including how to help children who are victims of abuse, safety in the home and other important issues. Jeanine explained that there is a strong support system for foster families that provides supplies, advice and help for families.

Thank you Jeanine and all our Miami-Dade foster families for your dedication to our county's children. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please contact Our Kids at 305-455-6000.

The beautiful Rojas Family

Working Together for Great Parks

Congrats to the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department for putting together a fantastic Great Parks Summit.

Loved the beautiful centerpieces at the summit. They came from one of our South Dade growers

Celebrating Mother Earth at Baynanza

I always look forward to Baynanza.

This little guy wanted to help us clean-up the bay

Raising Funds for Arivda Music Program

It was family fun day at the Arvida Middle School Viking Fest.

Team 8 had a blast at Arvida Middle

Congrats to the talented Arvida orchestra