October 22, 2023 - Mayfield Minute_Interim Committee Week 2

Mayfield Minute - October 22, 2023 - Mayfield Minute_Committee Week 2

Good Morning!

Senate President Passidomo and Speaker Renner held a joint press conference last week condemning the attacks on Israel by Hamas. In solidarity, both leaders announced their unwavering support for the nation of Israel and denounced the atrocities imposed on innocent Israeli civilians.

Also last week, Governor DeSantis announced that Florida has evacuated nearly 300 Americans from the warzone, including 91 children, on a state-sponsored charter flight from Israel to Tampa. The Florida Division of Emergency Management also sent two cargo planes with more than 85 pallets of humanitarian aid including medical supplies, clothing items, hygiene products, and comfort items such as children's toys and sleeping bags.

The second of six committee weeks took place last week in Tallahassee including the official announcement of Senator Majority Leader Ben Albritton as the next Senate President for the 2024-2026 term. For more information about Senate President-Designate Albritton and issues covered during the second committee week, please see the Senate Update section below.

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Statewide Update

First Lady Casey DeSantis Celebrates Disability Employment Awareness Month by Highlighting Hope Florida Expansion

Last week, First Lady DeSantis recognized October as Disability Employment Awareness Month and highlighted new job opportunities available through Hope Florida – A Pathway to Possibilities.

“Two months ago, we announced that Hope Florida will now serve individuals with unique abilities,” said First Lady DeSantis. “In that time, Hope Navigators have already begun serving more than 100 Floridians with unique abilities. Each family’s needs vary– from building paths towards economic self-sufficiency to creating deeper community connections. Ultimately, our success is helping these individuals meet their goals and God-given potential, and we are now able to offer not only employment but scholarship opportunities to Hope Florida participants.”

Hope Florida – A Pathway to Possibilities was created by First Lady DeSantis in 2021 and is led by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Since its inception, the initiative has served more than 74,000 people, helping over 8,500 Hope Florida participants to reduce or eliminate reliance on public assistance generating a $190 million taxpayer saving over 10 years.

If you have a loved one in need of Hope Florida's programs, click here.

The Number of Opioid Overdoses in Florida Falls in 2022

Overdose deaths in the United States stand at historical high levels, but in Florida there is encouraging news. A new Florida Health News report cites data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) which indicates in 2022, Florida saw a 2.6% decrease in drug overdoses. One of the largest drops came out of Brevard County with a 49% decrease. Seminole County and Orange County drug overdoses decreased by over 11%.

The reductions are due to a combination of available medication, such as naloxone, and widespread education, said Andrae Bailey, the founder of Project Opioid.

Mr. Bailey added, "This is not even the beginning of the end; perhaps this could be the end of a new beginning for this community on how we can turn the tide on the opioid crisis and save the lives of so many of our young people who are dying."

Governor DeSantis and Attorney General Moody have taken unprecedented action through interdiction and prosecution of suppliers and distributors, and through pervasive awareness campaigns targeting opioid abuse and Fentanyl poisoning with their “Dose of Reality” and “One-Pill-Can-Kill” programs.

Senate Update

The Florida Senate Announced New Senate President-Designate during Interim Committee Week Two

Last week, the Senate Republican Caucus unanimously elected Senator Ben Albritton, a fourth generation citrus farmer in Wauchula (Hardee County) as Senate President-Designate for the 2024-2026 term.

At the designation ceremony, President-Designate Albritton stated, “We made a conscious decision to protect our groves from the threats that came our way. That’s not dissimilar from the work we do here in the Florida Senate. We make a conscious decision to protect our state and our constituents from the threats that face our families, our homes, our schools and our economy.”

President-Designate Albritton said he looks forward to working with House Speaker-Designate Daniel Perez and the full legislature to meet the challenges facing our state and to deliver results for Floridians.

Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism

The Florida Department of Commerce (formerly the Department of Economic Opportunity) provided an update on broadband initiatives across the state. The department highlighted the critical impact broadband has on the State’s economy including the workforce, infrastructure, housing, and finance including:

Over 151 active projects in 60 counties, investment of over $473 million, new high-speed internet to more than 309,000 homes and businesses
Rural communities will be more connected improving quality of life, economic development, healthcare, and education opportunities

Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

The Florida Department of Children and Families provided a presentation on the new Office of Community Services which includes:

A variety of programs focused on care, prevention, and concentrated services to result in positive long-term outcomes for Florida’s most vulnerable children, adults and families.
Initiatives include prevention measures relating specifically to human trafficking, domestic violence, continuing care, and homelessness.

Constituent of the Week

Mrs. Judy Sharpe

Our Constituent of the Week is Mrs. Judy Sharpe, Board of Director member for Special Programs at Space Coast Honor Flight.

Mrs. Sharpe grew up in Detroit, Michigan where she was raised by a widowed mother in a single parent household along with her two siblings. In the early 1980’s, she married Michael Sharpe, United States Army Specialist (RET).

Mrs. Sharpe began her career in 1985 at Wells Fargo. She enrolled in college at the age of 50 and earned a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources and Business Management while continuing her full-time job at Wells Fargo.

In 2015, she retired from Wells Fargo after 30 years of service and moved to Viera. It was a whirlwind move, but as former snowbirds in Brevard County, Mr. and Mrs. Sharpe were ready to become full-time Florida residents.

Her husband, U.S. Army Specialist (RET) Sharpe, is a 30-year career Veteran and served during the Vietnam era in Germany on the Eastern border wall, and in Iraq. It was during his time in Iraq, when Mrs. Sharpe says her passion for service members truly developed, as many of her husband’s soldiers in deployment would refer to her as “Grandma.”

“When soldiers did not receive enough letters or packages, I went into the Grandma mode. I could not bear to see a solider, in a horrific war zone go without mail, support, and love,” she added.

She sent countless cards and care boxes to the soldiers her husband, referred to as “his kids.” That experience led her to volunteer with Support Our Troops and the Space Coast Honor Flight (SCHF).

The SCHF recognizes 30 Veterans, six times each year, from World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and post-Vietnam conflicts with a unique opportunity to visit their War Memorials in Washington, D.C. at no charge to the Veteran.

Mrs. Sharpe has served as a volunteer welcoming Veterans as they meet their Guardian Escorts and as a Guardian Escort herself.

She resides in Viera with her husband of 45 years and is the mother of two and grandmother of three.

District 19 is privileged to have many Veteran service organizations supported by exceptional and compassionate volunteers. Mrs. Sharpe and her family are a genuine example of those willing to give above and beyond in recognition of the Veterans who have sacrificed for our nation’s liberty and security.

District Highlights

Space Coast EDC Announces Officers for 2023-2024 and a Job Networking Event Specifically for Veterans

Last week, the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) announced the following new officers for the 2023-2024 term:

Chair, Mr. Travis Proctor, CEO, Artemis IT
Chair Elect, Ms. Linda Stout, Market President – East Central Florida, Truist
Treasurer, Mr. Todd Pokrywa, President, The Viera Company
Secretary, Mr. Brett Esrock, Executive VP, CFO & COO, Health First
Immediate Past Chair, Mr. Kirk Hall, CEO/CFO, Sentry View Systems

"EDC officers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our community, providing leadership and guidance that significantly contributes to the EDC's legacy of fostering a robust and diversified economy here on the Space Coast," said EDC President and CEO, Lynda L. Weatherman. "I look forward to collaborating closely with each of these talented professionals and thank them for their unwavering dedication to our organization's mission."

To learn more about the EDC and its officers click here.

Additionally, the Space Coast EDC is holding a "Launches, Lagers, and Vets" event on Wednesday, October 25th at Dirty Oar Brewing (329 King Street) in Cocoa from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This event is specifically designed to connect employers and job seekers from the military community in seeking new careers and to network directly with employers on the Space Coast.

For more information about this important event, click here.

Cleveland Clinic in Indian River County is First on Treasure Coast to Offer Acute Hospital-Care-At-Home

The Hospital Care-At-Home program is a substitute for acute-level hospital care and post-acute care, providing complex, hospital-level care at home for a number of diseases and individual treatment plans including:

Congestive heart failure, COPD, pneumonia, kidney infections, and other conditions
Individual treatment plans may consist of medication management, lab services, IV antibiotics, infusions, rehabilitation services including physical and respiratory therapies, imaging, meal services in home, and more

Below is a summary of how the Hospital Care-At-Home program works:

Eligibility is determined by a thorough evaluation by the hospital's emergency department or Medical / Surgical inpatient unit
Patients are virtually monitored by the Clinically Integrated Virtual Care (CIVC) Center in Vero Beach
Technology / in-home equipment is provided to patient such as a scale, phone, modem, blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, and portable power supply
Patients and family members are connected to the CIVC center 24/7 and can speak with a caregiver immediately with the push of a button
A patient’s care team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and others such as physical and occupational therapists

Eligible patients for the Hospital-Care-At-Home program must:

Have running water, electricity, toilet access, and either internet or a strong cellular signal
Live within a 30-mile radius of Indian River Hospital for the new program until it expands

Since Hospital Care-At-Home was launched in April 2023, over 200 patients have been treated at home and the most common conditions have included pneumonia, heart failure, complex sepsis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

For more information, click here.

Upcoming Events

Local Halloween Activities for All Ages

BREVARD COUNTY EVENTS:

Brevard County Sheriff's Office "2023 Haunted Jail Trail"

The 2023 Haunted Jail Trail will take place at the Brevard County Jail Complex (860 Camp Road) in Cocoa on Friday, October 27th and Saturday, October 28th from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Organizers describe the event, "As a walk-through of the twisted trail of incarcerated lost souls seeking to stalk visitors as you find your way out before you become “one of them!”

Admission is $20 per person and food and beverage trucks will be available.

Brevard Zoo's Annual "Boo at the Zoo"

Boo at the Zoo’s final weekend will take place Friday, October 27th and Saturday, October 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Trick or treat stations, Halloween photo opportunities, Spooktacular music with special live performances, and visits with zoo animals will be available to all visitors. All extra Halloween activities are included in the general Zoo admission.

Click here for more information.

City of Melbourne's "Halloween Spooktacular Trick or Treat"

This free event will take place at the Melbourne Auditorium (625 East Hibiscus Boulevard) on Saturday, October 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. First responder vehicles from the Melbourne Police and Fire Departments will be on display along with Halloween scenes and an abundance of candies and treats for children.

For more information, call 321-608-7400.

City of Palm Bay's "Recreation Fall Fest"

The free event will take place at Fred Poppe Regional Park (1951 Malabar Road NW) in Palm Bay on Saturday, October 28th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Palm Bay Fall Fest includes food vendors, costume contests, trunk-or-treats, hayrides, music, crafts, games, and a foam party.

This is a traditional Trunk-or-Treat event where local businesses and organizations decorate their vehicles or tent space with a festive theme. Attendees will vote for Best Car/Space themed exhibit for a special prize.

For complete information or questions, contact Daniel Waite.

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY EVENTS:

City of Sebastian "Family Movie Night & Halloween"

The City of Sebastian and the Police Department are hosting a Halloween costume contest and the movie "Hotel Transylvania"(Rated PG) on a large outdoor movie screen in the grass field next to the Twin Piers at Riverview Park (600 U.S. Highway 1) on Friday, October 27th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Costume contest registration will take place at 5:30 p.m. The contest begins at 6:15 p.m., and the movie promptly starts at 7:15 p.m. Free popcorn and snow cones will be available. Organizers suggest visitors should bring lawn chairs and a blanket for the movie.

Indian River Mall "Halloween Fest Trick-or-Treat All-Day"

The Indian River Mall (6200 20th Street) in Vero Beach is holding an all day "Trick-or-Treat" event on Saturday, October 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Activities include a haunted house experience ($10), a kids' fun house ($5), and free activities including pumpkin painting, games, candies, treats, and much more.

For more information, please call 772-333-4104.