September 8, 2024 - Mayfield Minute - Happy Grandparents Day

Mayfield Minute - September 8, 2024 - Happy Grandparents Day

Good Morning!

National Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day each year. Throughout the 1970's, Marian Mcquade, a renowned elder care rights activist from West Virginia, championed the idea of a national holiday to celebrate grandparents at the state and federal levels.

Ms. Mcquade was successful in her mission and National Grandparents Day was officially designated by the United States Senate and through Presidential Proclamation 4580 issued by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. The proclamation states that the national day of recognition is to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.

To this day, the late Ms. Mcquade is recognized as the founder of Grandparents Day and is remembered for her vision that children would forever have the opportunity to learn about the important contributions seniors have made throughout history. She is also known for her mission to urge children to appreciate and "adopt" a grandparent, not just for one day a year, but rather for a lifetime.

I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for the Mayfield Minute.

If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My staff and I are here to serve you!

Statewide Update

DeSantis Administration Announces Significant Progress in Addressing Florida's Nursing Shortage

Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted Florida’s progress in increasing the amount of students entering and completing nursing programs. He contributed the success to two key funding programs: PIPELINE (Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education) and the LINE (Linking Industry to Nursing Education).

To date the total investment by the state into these programs is $125 million in both fiscal years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. Recently, $130 million was approved for the programs for fiscal year 2024-2025.

The PIPELINE and LINE programs have proven to be a successful investment in addressing the State's nursing shortage. The Florida College System reported a 25 percent increase in their enrollment in Associate of Science degrees in nursing in 2024. In addition, 7,498 students completed a nursing program in 2024.

New nurses entering the profession combined with lower vacancy and turnover rates continue to contribute to closing the State's nursing shortage gap. The most recent Florida Hospital Association report, which surveyed 200 hospitals in the state, shows Florida’s nurse vacancy rate now at 13 percent down from the 2022 vacancy rate of 21 percent and below the national average of 16 percent.

To view the full press release, click here.

Florida's Budget Outlook

The Legislative Budget Commission met last week regarding the long-range outlook for the state's finances. The report outlines shrinking revenue and a looming budget deficit as the federal pandemic aid from Washington ends and expenses continue to grow.

State economists have projected a surplus in 2025, but without changes in revenue intake and/or a reduction in spending, a $2.8 billion deficit in 2026 is forecasted.

The deficit could balloon to nearly $7 billion by 2027, depending on budget decisions made by state lawmakers and what happens in the state, national, and global economies.

Some of the take aways from the meeting include:

Florida’s general revenue fund collections have tracked closer to official estimates as the forecasting environment has greatly stabilized over the past year
Historic general revenue fund balances available for the last three years allowed for significant investment in the environment, education, and state infrastructure
The outlook projects future expenditures based on recent history resulting in expenditure projections that outpace general revenue funds
The report does not account for any new or expanded programs or potential risks such as hurricanes of other natural disasters

To view the full report, click here.

FL Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Announces New Warnings for Home Repair Fraud

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) recently released a series of helpful tips to prevent homeowners from becoming victims of fraud by bad actors when they are undergoing home repairs.

FDACS fraud alerts and tips:

Be wary of repair businesses that appear illegitimate (i.e. drive an unmarked car or use of a PO Box as a business address)
Be aware of door-to-door solicitors stating they are already doing work in your area and noticed your home is in need of repairs
To avoid potentially being defrauded receive multiple written itemized estimates
Verify the business license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) before signing any contract or providing a deposit
Be wary of cash only transactions

If you believe that you have been a victim of consumer fraud, call FDACS consumer protection hotline at 1-800-435-7352 and report your experience immediately. To view the complete list of Home Repair Fraud tips, click here.

Agency Highlight

For this week’s agency spotlight we are covering the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). The mission of the Department of Children and Families is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

The origin of the DCF, as we know it today, goes back to 1996 when the Florida legislature split what was called the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services into two separate organizations: the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Health.

The DCF is statutorily required to provide services to Floridians in the areas of: adult protection, child care regulation, child welfare, domestic violence, economic self-sufficiency, homelessness, mental health, refugees, and substance abuse. The DCF secretary is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The current Secretary of DCF is Shevaun Harris who was appointed in 2021 by Governor DeSantis. To learn more about Secretary Harris or the DCF’s structure click here.

Some of the most well-known functions of the DCF are the services and resources that they provide to families and children around the state. The department provides assistance relating to adoption, childcare, foster parents, and for youth and young adults that are transitioning into independence. To learn more about how the department assists families in these ways click here.

The department offers several programs dedicated to safety and protection including hotlines to report abuse and domestic violence. DCF’s Office of Domestic Violence oversees state and federal initiatives regarding the prevention of, and intervention in, cases of domestic violence as well as supporting the survivors and their families. They also provide information and resources regarding human trafficking. Click here to learn more about DCF’s public safety initiatives.

One of the most important programs within the DCF is Florida’s Economic Self Sufficiency Program (ESSP). The ESSP helps Florida families by providing public benefits such as assistance with food, temporary cash, Medicaid, homelessness, and refugees. Additionally, DCF operates an office that prevents government waste by investigating cases of public benefit fraud and misuse. Click here to learn more about the Economic Self Sufficiency Program.

The DCF also actively works to combat substance abuse disorders and mental illness across the state by providing both prevention and treatment-oriented resources to those in need. The department also provides training and other resources to care providers. To view these resources click here.

To provide resources locally the DCF partners with local, community-based nonprofit organizations and stakeholders who are best prepared to serve their communities. This includes a community alliance in each area that advises on local resource allocation, needs assessment, and priority identification. There is also a lead agency in each region of the state that is competitively contracted to deliver community care services locally. The lead agency in our region is Brevard Family Partnership.

Constituent of the Week

Brian Mitchell

Our Constituent of the Week is Brian Mitchell, a passionate and committed leader within the veteran community and in the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 32 organization.

Born on November 18, 1944, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and raised in New Hampshire, Mr. Mitchell’s journey began with a strong educational foundation, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of New Hampshire in February 1967.

Immediately after graduation, he embarked on a remarkable 20-year career with the United States Air Force as a Civil Engineering Officer. His service included stations in California, Korea, South Carolina, Spain, England, Massachusetts, and Florida. After retiring from the Air Force in 1987, Mr. Mitchell embraced a diverse range of roles including positions in local government, real estate, retail sales, and home construction, as well as Air Force contract jobs in Turkey and Spain.

In 1991, Mr. Mitchell joined the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) after benefiting from their services, marking the beginning of his unwavering commitment to supporting fellow veterans. He volunteered as Treasurer in 2006, became Adjutant in 2008 while retaining the Treasurer position, and was elected Commander in 2013, holding the position for three terms. He also created a newsletter from 2008 to 2019 and ran the wheelchair and scooter recycling program from 2008 to 2015. Mr. Mitchell was also instrumental in building out five interior offices at the current location to provide privacy for all veteran clients.

As a member of the JL Golightly Chapter 32 in Melbourne, the oldest active DAV chapter in Brevard County, Mr. Mitchell has been instrumental in driving initiatives that support veterans and their families. For over 33 years, he has tirelessly worked to improve the quality of life for veterans and their families. As the most senior Certified Service Officer in the current chapter, Mr. Mitchell has helped countless veterans and families providing invaluable support and guidance. He leads and trains all new Certified Service Officers ensuring they are well-equipped to better assist the veteran community.

Married to Virginia Way since 1966, Mr. Mitchell is a proud father of three children (one deceased), grandfather to eight grandchildren (raising two since 2015, now adopted), and great-grandfather to two.

Senate District 19 is honored to recognize Mr. Mitchell for his outstanding service in United States Air Force and his exceptional commitment to our communities and the DAV.

District Highlights

Merritt Island Based 'Who We Play For' Featured in Florida Trend Magazine

Who We Play For (WWPF), a national non-profit organization based in Merritt Island, was featured in the September edition of Florida Trend. WWPF is the largest heart-screening non-profit in the nation and has screened more than 300,000 student athletes and identified more than 300 kids with life-threatening conditions.

WWPF's mission is to "Eliminate preventable sudden cardiac death in the young through affordable heart screenings, AEDs and working with communities to honor every kid who never had the chance." AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) are portable devices that can be used to treat a person whose heart has suddenly stopped beating.

The Florida Trend article tells the story of Rafe Maccarone who tragically suffered a fatal cardiac episode in 2007 during a high school soccer practice at Cocoa Beach High School. In 2013, a group of Rafe’s former high school soccer teammates, including Evan Ernst, came together to establish WWPF to help save the lives of other young athletes. Mr. Ernst is a founder and the Executive Director of WWPF.

For more than 10 years, WWPF has provided low-cost or free mobile electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings across Florida to proactively alert parents and their children of abnormalities. According to WWPF, the ECGs can identify previously unnoticed heart conditions such as Rafe's which possibly could have saved his life.

I have been honored to secure legislative funding for the WWPF organization in the amount of $1,950,000 over the past two years. There is nothing more tragic in life than losing a child and I look forward to continuing to support their mission of early prevention and diagnosis.

To learn more about Who We Play For or schedule a screening for your child, click here.

Cocoa Beach Named 3rd Best Florida Beach to Visit this Fall

Southern Living magazine recently ranked the top 10 Florida beaches to visit during the Fall months. With the key criteria being smaller crowds and idyllic weather, Cocoa Beach secured the 3rd spot.

Southern Living highlighted Cocoa Beach’s attributes such as lower crowds in the Fall, an average temperature of 75 degrees, northeasterly swells desirable for surfers, and other nearby activities such as the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Kennedy Space Center, shops, restaurants, and rocket launches.

The full list is below and to visit the Southern Living article, click here.

1. Navarre Beach

2. Rosemary Beach

3. Cocoa Beach

4. Islamorada

5. Lauderdale-By-The-Sea

6. Anna Maria Island

7. Destin

8. Marco Island

9. Clearwater Beach

Florida's tourism continues to grow. The Governor's office recently reported that 74.8 million visitors came to the Sunshine State in just the first six months of 2024 which is a 1.4 percent increase over the first half of 2023.

Upcoming Events

Future Voyagers at Kennedy Space Center

During the month of September the Kennedy Space Center will be allowing children ages 3-11 free one-day admission entry with a paying adult. This is a reduction from the regular ticket pricing of $65 per child. The offer is limited to three children per adult, and tickets must be purchased through the official Kennedy Space Center website.

Palm Bay Fire Station #7 Groundbreaking

On Friday, September 13th at 9:00 a.m. the City of Palm Bay will be holding a ground breaking ceremony for their latest fire station. The new Fire Station #7 will be located at 2144 Palm Bay Road and will serve as a replacement to the old Fire Station #1 which was demolished in 2022.

The new station is expected to improve emergency response times. The facility will be built by W& J Construction Corp. of Rockledge and is estimated to cost a total of $7,338,764. The ceremony is open to the public and is free to attend.

Annual Brevard Recovery Fest

On Saturday, September 14th, the Annual Brevard Recovery Fest will take place at the Wickham Park Regional Pavilion (2500 Parkway Drive) in Melbourne from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is designed to raise awareness and compassion regarding the struggles families face when a loved one is experiencing mental illness, addiction, and recovery.

Over 100 local organizations and businesses are participating in the event. Food and drink vendors, community resource providers, guest speakers, and musical entertainment will be provided.

The family friendly zone includes a Teen Driving simulator, representatives of the Brevard County Sheriffs Department, children's finger printing, K-9 unit demonstrations, inflatables, games, face painting, flight simulators from Wings of Grace, the Melbourne Fire Department's Tower #71 Touch a Truck exhibit, and much more. Additional details can be found at the events website.

Afternoon on the Lagoon

The Marine Resources Council is hosting an "Afternoon on the Lagoon" event on Sunday, September 22nd at the Lagoon House (3275 Dixie Highway NE) in Palm Bay from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The fun, sun, and learning event is free of charge and includes the following:

3:00 p.m. Native Plant Garden Tour

4:00 p.m. Rain Barrel Workshop

5:00 p.m. Mangrove Nursery Tour

Local artists and food trucks will also be available. For more information, click here.