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Florida's COVID positive test rate continues to move in the right direction - now at 7.08%
TheFirst Lady highlights mental health issues emerging from the pandemic
The Covid mortality rate for under 65 year olds remains under 1%
New study finds weak asymptomatic transmission of Covid 19
ICUs, Hospital beds, pediatric ICUs across the state show decreasing patient volume
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FloridaPolitics.com
COVID-19 is subsiding in Florida, but the First Couple is raising the alarm on another rising health threat.
Florida saw more than 60,000 overdoses last month, up significantly from a year prior, says Gov. Ron DeSantis. Throughout the more than five months since health officials first identified COVID-19 outbreaks in Florida, overdose deaths have increased.
“We’ve got to be able to dig in,” the Governor said. “We’ve got to be able to juggle multiple balls when it comes to health care.”
His administration has made mental health a key issue, spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis.
A month ago, the First Lady made her first public appearance since the pandemic began and since giving birth to their third daughter. While mental health is multi-faced, and the First Couple has held multiple roundtables on the topic in recent weeks, Wednesday’s panel at Advent Health in Altamonte Springs focused almost entirely on substance abuse.
“This isn’t getting as much coverage as we had hoped,” the First Lady said.
Losing personal interactions, even by mask wearing, has taken away serotonin, which produces happiness in the brain, she said.
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said law enforcement and health experts have partnered to combat mental health effects before they lead to more dangerous or criminal behavior.
“If we’re not careful, the narrative of bending the curve and all of these things that we’ve heard for the past six months loses our focus on what lingers around the corner for us tomorrow, and that is an unprecedented substance and mental health crisis,” Lemma said.
Horowitz: New study finds very weak asymptomatic coronavirus transmission
For the first time in history, governments across the globe have quarantined the healthy with the sick for fear that asymptomatic carriers are spreading the virus and killing people in droves. But after months of crushed liberty and destroyed livelihoods, is there any proof that asymptomatic carriers are indeed super-spreaders? Shouldn’t we first investigate this theory before we force universal shutdowns and universal muzzle-wearing?
A recently published contact tracing study of 3,410 close contacts of 391 SARS-CoV-2 cases in a Chinese province near Wuhan during the peak months of the virus found that transmissibility seems to increase commensurately with the severity of symptoms presented by the infected individual. Of the 127 secondary infections that were traced to the original 3,410 cases, just eight were from individuals confirmed as asymptomatic.
All asymptomatic individuals were followed up with 14 days later by study administrators to confirm that they had not presented symptoms. The study was published on August 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine journal.
The study’s authors conclude not only that asymptomatic transmitters compose only a tiny slice of the spread, but that the rate of transmission increases with the severity of the illness, further validating the strategy of focusing on the sick, not the healthy:
The secondary attack rate increased with the severity of index cases, from 0.3% (CI, 0.0 to 1.0%) for asymptomatic to 3.3% (CI, 1.8% to 4.8%) for mild, 5.6% (CI, 4.4% to 6.8%) for moderate, and 6.2% (CI, 3.2% to 9.1%) for severe or critical cases (P for trend < 0.001). Manifestation of certain symptoms, such as fever (6.7% [CI, 5.3 to 8.0] vs. 3.3% [CI, 1.6 to 4.9]) and expectoration (13.6% [CI, 10.6 to 16.7] vs. 3.0% [CI, 2.1 to 3.9]), in the index cases was associated with an increased risk for infection in their close contacts.
Researchers also found, as other studies have already concluded, that most of the secondary infections occurred among household members. Thus, putting together the low rate of asymptomatic transmission with the fact that most cases (of all severity levels) are spread in the home, why should we destroy our civilization over the concern of asymptomatic spread? Where is the evidence that a non-symptomatic individual merely passing someone for a few seconds in a store will transmit the virus?
The Wall Street Journal
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched the Democrats’ broadside against the Trump administration’s Covid-19 response. “Our current federal government is dysfunctional and incompetent,” he told virtual conventioneers Monday in a recorded speech. “It couldn’t fight off the virus. In fact, it didn’t even see it coming.”
In reality, the administration was well aware of the threat of a pandemic before the novel coronavirus emerged. We helped develop a September 2019 White House report, “Managing the Impact of Pandemic Influenza Through Vaccine Innovation,” which prompted immediate presidential action that has accelerated the development of a Covid vaccine.
The report was produced by the Council of Economic Advisers at the behest of the National Security Council’s biodefense team. It detailed the large health and economic losses that could happen from flu pandemic in the U.S. The report discussed how the lack of private market incentives had led to underinvestment in developing and using innovative technologies that can quickly produce vaccines for a new virus.
Influenza vaccines have primarily been manufactured in chicken eggs for the past 70 years. The process is too slow to produce a new vaccine for a novel, unexpected virus and impairs the vaccines’ efficacy against the flu. Public-private partnerships created under a 2006 statute led to the development of newer, faster manufacturing techniques. But these vaccines are more expensive and haven’t been widely adopted.
The main issue is that vaccine developers aren’t rewarded for innovation. Their research-and-development and investment costs for improved vaccines are recovered only through sales that occur in the unlikely event that a pandemic occurs—there have only been four flu pandemics the past 100 years—even though vaccine innovation provides benefits from risk-reduction before any pandemic. Vaccines have insurance value today that provides protection against possible future damage, regardless of whether a pandemic occurs. That means the social return from innovative vaccines is greater than their private return to developers.
To overcome the problem of under-investment in rapidly produced vaccines, we proposed public investment in public-private research-and-development partnerships to promote vaccine innovation (“push” incentives) and preferential government purchase of vaccines produced domestically from those partnerships (“pull” incentives). On Sept. 19, a few days after the CEA issued its report, the president signed Executive Order 13887, which created several initiatives to modernize flu-vaccine production, including evaluation of “incentives for the development and production of vaccines by private manufacturers and public-private partnerships.”
The Hill
Doctors warn that every medical decision requires a careful risk/benefit assessment. There is no such thing as a totally safe, 100 percent risk-free medical choice. Aspirin can cause bleeding and may have triggered childhood deaths due to Reye’s syndrome. Exercise is generally considered good for your health, but people can hurt themselves by over-training or injure a joint.
With our nation in the midst of a viral pandemic, we must weigh the responses to COVID-19 by comparing the risks with the benefits. The choice was made to quarantine individuals from other individuals. We were mandated to a form of solitary confinement in an attempt to suppress the spread of the virus and prevent illness as well as death. Social distancing, the lockdown of businesses, and face masks are the most obvious ways to accomplish individual isolation, in essence, to quarantine 330 million Americans.
There is some evidence and much debate about the health benefits of our response to the virus. There is also considerable evidence regarding the economic cost of social distancing and lockdown. There is very little discussion about the non-economic costs, the damage to Americans’ health by separating individuals from each other as well as preventing them from engaging in normal day-to-day work and play activities.
Yahoo Finance
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Economic data keep reinforcing the picture of an economy that has bounced meaningfully from its spring lows but is still fragile. The expiration of enhanced unemployment benefits at the end of July and the removal of other fiscal support measures by Congress, combined with the breakdown in relief talks, have people understandably concerned about a growth slump over the next month.
But underappreciated is the improvement in the pandemic situation in southern states that were hot spots just a month ago. This, along with consumers in those states normalizing their behavior again, is already showing up in the economic data and could be a potent offset to reduced fiscal support from the government in the weeks ahead.
It's easy to have missed the turnaround in southern hot spots because of how quickly the virus trajectory can change. As states began reopening their economies in late spring, Arizona was one of the earliest states to experience rapid virus growth. The seven-day average of cases in the state increased from around 500 per day at the beginning of June to a peak of 3,700 a day on July 7. Cases also spiked in other southern states such as Texas, Florida, and Georgia, with governors reversing some of their reopening measures and urging the public to wear masks as hospitals filled.
By mid-July cases had begun falling in Arizona and had either stopped growing or began falling in other southern states. Sensibly, health officials and the public at large took nothing for granted, with hospitals near their breaking points and concern that any reprieve could be temporary. But by now the improvement at least in Arizona is notable, with the seven-day average of cases down 75% from its peak. Other states have seen more modest improvement.
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COViD-19 by the numbers | COVID -19 Fatalities
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ICUs and hospital beds by the numbers | Current as of 8/14/2020
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18.35%
% of ICU Beds Available Statewide
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40.81% % of Pediatric ICU Beds Available Statewide
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22.91% % of Available Hospital Beds Statewide
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An Amazing Story - Please Check it Out
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University of Florida earns top marks for assessment of student learning University of Florida News Emily Cardinali
The University of Florida on Wednesday earned the country’s highest honor for its assessment of student learning outcomes, recognizing UF’s dedication to student success.
The Excellence in Assessment (EIA) Designation is granted annually by members of the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities (APLU), National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA), and the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) to universities that use comprehensive student assessment standards to inform and adapt curriculum changes that will help students succeed. UF’s decentralized and robust approach covers more than 500 academic programs and more than 3,000 outcomes.
“The University of Florida is dedicated to offering the best possible educational quality across disciplines and to making sure students are well prepared for their lives after graduation,” UF President Kent Fuchs said. “This honor recognizes the work faculty and staff invest every year into setting goals and student learning outcomes, assessing them, and using the results to better understand how we can advance student learning and continuously improve our academic programs.”
“Educational quality and student success are at the heart of our culture at UF, and this designation recognizes the structure we’ve put in place to ensure our students are meeting or exceeding desired learning outcomes across academic disciplines,” said UF Provost Joe Glover. “At an institution as large and complex as UF, this designation reflects the work of thousands and faculty and staff who are collectively committed to supporting students and to delivering a world-class education.”
Glover said, “The university’s work on assessment has been coordinated by Director of Institutional Assessment Timothy S. Brophy since 2011, and he deserves special recognition for his efforts in developing the University of Florida’s Assessment System.”
This award follows numerous recognitions for UF’s focus on student success, including its No. 7 Top Public Schools ranking and No. 4 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs ranking by U.S. News & World Report.
Since the designation’s inception in 2016, fewer than 50 institutions have received this designation. UF is the second institution in the Association of American Universities to receive the distinction.
The designation was created to acknowledge on a national level the important work colleges and universities are doing through comprehensive assessment activities and to highlight those practices so other institutions can draw upon them to inform their own efforts. As part of the application process, colleges and universities were asked to detail their specific assessment activities and the reason why such efforts are a priority for them. The designees needed to demonstrate how aligned processes, building from course-based assessment, foster a coherent, collaborative approach to assessing student learning.
“The EIA designees have a demonstrated commitment to measuring the impact of their student success efforts and are working to improve that impact through evidence-based methods,” said APLU President Peter McPherson. “Their work is rightly being nationally recognized with a designation that not only profiles their work but provides a platform from which other institutions can learn and better track their own progress to drive improvement.”
For over a decade, UF faculty have established student learning outcomes and assessed student achievement of these outcomes in their academic programs as a requirement for accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). To advance that effort, each college and academic undergraduate, graduate, professional and certificate program has developed its own mission to align with and support UF’s institutional mission.
Learning outcomes for undergraduate classes fall under three main categories: content, critical thinking and communication. For example, an undergraduate student in the environmental sciences will learn to use the scientific method to develop reasoned solutions to environmental problems. Graduate and professional programs measure outcomes specific to disciplinary knowledge, professional skills, and professional behaviors.
In the 2018-2019 academic year, over 92% of students met the faculty’s student learning outcomes. This work reveals that faculty set high standards, deliver effective instruction, and that UF students rise to the faculty’s expectations.
“As a comprehensive learning institution where teaching and learning are an integral component of our mission, having an institution-wide assessment system that respects faculty autonomy to establish program-specific student learning outcomes and provides the technology to annually report on student learning student achievement ensures students, regardless of discipline, will have a cohesive and comprehensive education,” Director of Institutional Assessment Timothy S. Brophy said.
For more data about student learning outcomes achievement, please visit the Student Learning Outcomes Visualization Project.
Anonymous donor gives $250,000 to Tallahassee Community College for Sopchoppy students Tallahassee Democrat Residents of the city of Sopchoppy, famous for its annual Worm Gruntin’ Festival, Fourth of July celebrations and small-town living, can put another feather in their cap. An anonymous donor is giving the Tallahassee Community College Foundation a gift of $250,000 to provide scholarships to students from Sopchoppy to attend the college.
Heather Mitchell, TCC’s vice president for institutional advancement, made the announcement during Monday’s meeting of the District Board of Trustees. Sopchoppy is in the Apalachicola National Forest, about 45 minutes southwest of Tallahassee. Recent Census data shows a population of 515 residents, up from 457 in 2010. Heather Mitchell, vice president for institutional advancement at Tallahassee Community College and executive director, TCC Foundation.
Mitchell, also executive director of the TCC Foundation, said the gift establishes the Sopchoppy Scholarship. The endowment will go toward scholarships for students from Sopchoppy toward getting their AA or AS degree at TCC or assistance with a workforce development program. “Financial need is cited as the single greatest barrier for obtaining a college education,” Mitchell said. “This gift will ensure that those from Sopchoppy that wish to attend TCC will have tuition assistance to make this wish a reality.” Mitchell said the single donor was inspired by a previous gift to the foundation by the Panacea Waterfronts Florida Partnership in establishing a scholarship just for students who live in Panacea “and loved how that opportunity will impact that community.” The news was welcomed by Sopchoppy Mayor Lara Edwards.
“I am thrilled to learn of the scholarship funds provided to TCC specifically for students that reside in the City of Sopchoppy,” Edwards said in an email when told of the endowment. “This is an amazing opportunity for those that are challenged by the expenses of higher education that live in more rural areas." Gary Revell from Sanborn, Florida, gives a demonstration on worm gruntin' to a group of children that were preparing for the worm gruntin' contest Saturday in Sopchoppy. The contest is the main attraction at the annual event.
Based on Fall 2019 census data, approximately 650 students attend TCC from Wakulla County. Wakulla County School Superintendent Robert Pearce said the number of students enrolled from Sopchoppy fluctuates. He, too, was thankful for the investment. “It’s fantastic,” he said. “Anytime a benefactor makes that kind of commitment that is phenomenal. We are blessed to have a lot of people who are willing to support our community.”
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Department of Children and Families
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Addressing the Behavioral Health Impact of COVID-19
Social isolation, job insecurity, and an ever-present fear of becoming sick has taken a drastic toll on Floridians. That is significantly compounded when existing mental health challenges and/or substance use is involved. For those reasons, DCF’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health program has been working diligently to secure additional funding for services to address the behavioral health impact of COVID-19. As a result of these efforts, DCF has been awarded two federal grants – totaling almost $7 million combined – to help people cope during the pandemic.
These additional funds will allow statewide therapeutic and psychiatric services to be delivered via telehealth technology, focusing on health care professionals and others in the community who are experiencing behavioral health challenges. Community behavioral health providers in some of the “hardest hit” areas will receive additional funding to expand their service array for people with a serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders exacerbated by the current state of affairs. Additionally, Florida’s network of 2-1-1 community helplines will be expanded to provide brief crisis counseling services and make referrals for long-term treatment as needed.
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Department of Emergency Management
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Agency for Persons with Disabilities
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Dedicated To Helping Those With Disabilities: Brandon Hero Patch.com When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.
Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. Together with Ring, we're working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories. Reason for recognition: Mike Taylor has worked for the state for many years in all different capacities. He has dedicated his life to helping others with disabilities and working with the Suncoast Region East, West, Area 8 Ft Myers and finding services for consumers and family.
One thing to know: He loves his job and compassionate, dedicated, trustworthy, will always ask that 100% of his workers. He would not ask anything he has never completed first.
Thank you for all you do, Michael!
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Florida Department of Law Enforcement
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FDLE’s Firearm Purchase Program continues to break records in 2020 FDLE
FDLE’s Firearm Purchse Program is on track to hit another monthly record in August with more than 65,000 transactions recorded as of August 16, marking record breaking totals for every month in 2020. Licensed firearm dealers throughout Florida contact members in the Firearm Purchase Program to conduct criminal background checks prior to selling or transfering a firearm. The highest number of monthly transactions so far in 2020 was in June where more than 180,000 transactions were processed. These numbers represent the number of background checks conducted by FDLE’s Firearm Purchase Program and not necessarily the number of guns sold.
The Firearm Purchase Program is located at FDLE headquarters in Tallahassee and is operational 363 days a year, including weekends and state/federal holidays, from the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., ET. It is closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Firearm dealers have the option of calling in the background check via a toll free phone number or submitting the check through the Firearm Eligibility System, a web-based application available via the Internet.
Checks are run on state and national criminal history databases, state and national “hot file” databases, and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. If there is a question in a person’s criminal history, FDLE contacts the clerk of court and local jurisdiction in question and requests additional information. For more information on FDLE’s Firearm Purchase Program, visit us online at the Frequently Asked Questions page.
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Department of The Lottery
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With the free app, players have access to up-to-date information from the Florida Lottery! Here are some exciting features of the new mobile app: Check My Ticket. Scan ticket barcodes to determine if you are a winner. Second Chance. Enter tickets into most second chance promotions by scanning ticket barcodes. Pick Numbers. Players can create and save their favorite numbers on digital playslips and use their selections to purchase tickets at any Florida Lottery retailer. Winning Numbers. Find current jackpots and see winning numbers for all Florida Lottery Draw games. Retailer Locator. Find nearby Florida Lottery retailers. Scratch-Offs. Find out about the newest Florida Lottery Scratch-Off games as soon as they’re on-sale. Responsible Gaming. Learn about the Florida Lottery’s responsible gaming initiatives and practices. Florida Lottery games are designed to be a fun, low cost form of entertainment.
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Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
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Florida Veterans receive assistance through virtual outreach More than 400 Florida Veterans helped through Virtual Veterans Experience Action Center
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, launched the first Virtual Veterans Experience Action Center (V-VEAC) July 29-31, 2020. The program proactively assisted veterans throughout the state of Florida with VA benefits, health care and resources in partnership with the Northeast Florida Community Veterans Engagement Board (CVEB).
Virtual Veteran Outreach More than 400 veterans received one-on-one assistance from the Virtual Veterans Experience Action Center. VA, State and Veteran and community based organizations helped eligible veterans in several areas. These included filing, updating and adjudicating claims; enrolling in VA health care and schedule medical appointments; access housing and temporary financial assistance and applying for Florida State Veterans’ Benefits Assistance.
Veterans eligible for VA health care and not previously enrolled could immediately connect for care during the event.
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie welcomed veterans calling in to the Virtual Veterans Experience Action Center.
“Where all the resources of your VA and our state and local partners will be available to address your care, benefits and resources needs from wherever you are,” he said.
The first day of the event, a veteran called needing urgent medical attention. A supervisory social worker at the Jacksonville VA Outpatient Clinic assisted the veteran. Staff enrolled the veteran in VA health care and arranged a medical rescue transfer to address his urgent medical needs. They also ensured coordination of care with a home health agency to support his ongoing needs.
Personalized Assistance Over the Phone VA conducts Virtual Veterans Experience Action Centers over the telephone. Veterans, family members, caregivers and survivors can connect to the full range of VA and community-based services and resources in their region. Veterans who register receive a choice of appointment call times and contact with relevant personalized professional assistance.
“We were proud to partner with the VA on this virtual outreach event. We think this pilot program could be the start of a powerful new avenue to connect veterans nationwide with earned services, benefits and support,” said retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James S. “Hammer” Hartsell, deputy executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “We made a positive difference in the lives of these veterans and their families and look forward to more of these events as we honor those who served us.”
The Florida event was the first VA Virtual Veterans Experience Action Center, with more planned for 2020.
“For many veterans around the Northeast Florida region, the last few months have been difficult to obtain one-on-one services, but we’re pleased to be able to ease some of the anxiety and stress of those who haven’t been able to get the assistance they needed,” said Jeff Winkler, Head of Basic Needs, Community Impact United Way of Northeast Florida. “We are excited with this partnership and the shift to a virtual platform because this service will make a substantial difference for under served veterans.”
To contact a teleworking FDVA Veterans’ Claims Examiner, call (727) 319-7440 and they’ll return your call within 24 hours. All services are free to the veteran. You may also contact them via e-mail at VSO@fdva.state.fl.us
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Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
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Florida unemployment filings fall below 100K for second straight week Florida Politics
The number of Floridians applying for unemployment assistance dropped again from the previous week, according to Florida Department of Economic Opportunity data released this week.
There were a total of 3.62 million jobless claims in Florida as of this week since the coronavirus outbreak. That’s up 90,000 from the previous week, but represents a continued slow down in the rush of residents seeking unemployment benefits since March.
Last week also saw about 90,000 new claims. That was the first week since March new unemployment claims had been so low. During the throes of the COVID-19 outbreak from March through June, there were weeks where there were 500,000 new claims made.
Of Florida’s total unemployment claims, 3.46 million are confirmed unique claims, meaning they were not duplicates. Another 3.37 million claims have been processed, which translates to 97.4% of the unique claims submitted.
About 1.97 million Floridians are eligible for state reemployment assistance, federal pandemic emergency unemployment compensation or federal pandemic unemployment assistance. About 651,000 Floridians are ineligible for those benefits.
There have now been about 1.88 million total claims paid, or 95.3% of the eligible claims.
In all, about $13.83 billion has been paid to unemployment claimants in the state, with about $9.97 billion coming federal pandemic unemployment compensation. Another $489.64 million has come from federal pandemic unemployment assistance and $455.29 million has been paid by federal pandemic emergency unemployment compensation.
Florida has paid out about $2.91 billion since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. That’s up about $90 million from the previous week. That figure is a smaller increase than the previous week, which saw a $111-million single-week increase.
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Zoo offers free admission for kids during August South Florida Sun Sentinel Before carefree summer days turn into hours of virtual learning, families can enjoy the final weeks of August at the zoo — for free. The Palm Beach Zoo in West Palm Beach is offering free admission for two children age 13 and under with the purchase of a full-price adult admission through Monday, Aug. 31. According to the zoo’s general curator, Mike Terrell, the animals have missed visitors. “It is a livelier place all around with guests visiting,” he said in a statement. “The otters, bears and jaguars all seem to get as much enjoyment out of watching the visitors as guests get watching the animals.” The zoo, which opened June 5 after being closed for 80 days because of COVID-19 shutdowns, features shaded pathways and the Fountain Plaza splash pad to cool off in the summer heat. “We are so thankful to provide a place where everyone can be out in nature and connect with animals during this time,” Margo McKnight, Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, president and CEO, said in a statement. As part of its safety measures, attendance is limited to ensure social distancing, indoor locations are closed, hand sanitizer stations are available and daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces and restrooms has increased. Hungry zoo-goers can order items from the Tropics Café on a mobile platform and pick them up at a scheduled time at the café window. The zoo is at 1301 Summit Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Adult admission is $24.95; $22.95 for age 60 and older; $18.95 for children ages 3-12; and free for 2 and under. Parking is free. Visit palmbeachzoo.org/tickets to purchase tickets for touchless entry.
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Florida Department of Corrections
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Florida Housing Finance Corpration
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The Collier Building Industry Association announced that past president Ryan Benson, board member Robyn Bonaquist and former state legislator and CBIA member Mike Davis were recognized by the Florida Home Builders Association during the Southeast Building Conference, held virtually July 29-31.
Ryan Benson, CBIA past president and A Vernon Allen Builder principal/ owner, was named FHBA’s 2020 Young Building Professional of the Year.
“Ryan Benson is that one in a million leader… a change agent… who is full of innovative ideas and has the uncanny ability to engage the most effective experts among our members to build upon these ideas and work together to effectively implement them,” said CBIA Executive Officer Amelia Vasquez
Established in 2019, the FHBA Young Building Professional Award recognizes young building industry professionals who propel their careers; advance in local, state and national associations; advocate for the building industry, engage with peers; and embed themselves as exceptional members of their communities. Winners are selected based on career growth and progression, industry involvement, innovation, leadership development, community outreach and volunteerism, continuing education, and personal principles.
CBIA board member and B-Squared Advertising founding partner and president, received the 2020 Associate of the Year Award.“Our successful advocacy efforts locally and with our state legislative delegation, effective succession plan for staffing, current fiscal stability and focus on innovation are exceptional examples of Ryan’s competency, intelligence and true understanding of what it takes to insure the future stability of our industry,” according to John Williams, CBIA president and principal at RWA Inc. “He is powerfully advancing the building industry both locally and beyond, and is setting new standards for its future support and growth.”
“Robyn is an exemplary role model for women throughout our industry, modeling the most ethical leadership characteristics both in her profession and on behalf of CBIA,” said CBIA executive officer Ms. Vasquez.
The Associate of the Year Award encourages expertise in the industry and outstanding leadership qualities. Associates of the Year are selected annually by the FHBA Past Second Vice Presidents’ Council, announced during the Summer Conference/SEBC, and presented during the Fall Leadership Conference.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, AmeriCorps members with Centro Campesino have worked to distribute food to over 500 families who are facing food insecurity in the southernmost area of Miami-Dade County.
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Department of Business and Professional Regulation
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Department of Juvenile Justice
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The Department of Juvenile Justice and Bethune-Cookman University Partner to Extend Internship and Employment Opportunities in the Juvenile Justice Field to B-CU Students
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 20, 2020
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and Bethune-Cookman University have partnered to provide internship and employment opportunities to qualified B-CU students (undergraduate and graduate) majoring in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, Education, Political Science, and Health Science. The partnership will afford B-CU faculty and students the opportunity to work collaboratively with the DJJ’s Office of Research & Data Integrity staff to identify and conduct cutting-edge juvenile justice research to improve the effectiveness of juvenile services across the department’s service delivery continuum. “DJJ is excited to partner with Bethune Cookman University, a prestigious institution of higher learning, to further the department’s research efforts and provide opportunities for students interested in making a difference in Florida’s juvenile justice system,” said Secretary Simone Marstiller. “This is not only a first for a Florida HBCU, but any institution of higher learning in Florida,” said Dr. Randy Nelson, Director of the B-CU Center for Law & Social Justice and Department Chairperson of the Masters in Criminal Justice Administration program. “ We continue to lead the state and nation with creating innovative opportunities for our talented students,” he added.
B-CU offers a Juvenile Justice Reform Certificate program in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Students who complete the certificate program and gain real-world experience with DJJ will be ideally positioned to become the next generation of juvenile justice professionals and leaders.
“Thank you to all involved for your assistance and commitment to thinking and working outside the box to the benefit of our beloved institution and those it serves,” Dr. Nelson concluded. About the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is a nationally recognized leader in the field of juvenile justice. DJJ’s mission is to increase public safety by reducing juvenile delinquency through effective prevention, intervention and treatment services that strengthen families and turn around the lives of troubled youth. For more information, visit www.djj.state.fl.us. About Bethune-Cookman University Founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) today sustains her legacy of faith, scholarship, and service through its relationship with the United Methodist Church and its commitment to academic excellence and civic engagement. B-CU offers 36 undergraduate and 8 graduate degrees on its main campus. Located in Daytona Beach, FL B-CU is one of three private, historically black colleges in the state of Florida. The institution boasts a diverse and international faculty and student body of nearly 3,000. For more information, visit www.cookman.edu.
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Florida Department of Elder Affairs
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What’s your COVID-19 risk? Take this quiz to find out Orlando Sentinel A new survey released by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs can calculate your risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 and provide guidance on how to protect yourself from contracting the virus. The confidential Florida Safe Survey, made by analytics company BellAge, asks a series of questions, such as how often the respondent wears a mask when going out and how many people the respondent is in contact with during a typical week. It also asks demographic questions, including the respondent’s ZIP code, living arrangements and age to calculate the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19. It then produces a report customized to the respondent’s answers. Once completed, the survey assesses the respondent’s calculated risk of being infected by or spreading the virus alongside a severity risk showing the approximate probability of the respondent being hospitalized or dying after contracting the virus. It also provides a “safe behavior score” on a scale of 0-10 based on the respondent’s adherence to the recommended precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19. “With the Florida Safe Survey, we hope to further mitigate the spread of this disease and bring another layer of protection to those most at risk of severe symptoms from COVID-19,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement. Alongside these scores, the survey offers recommendations based on respondents’ needs, including resources for issues like food or housing insecurity. However, these resources are selected from the Florida Aging Network and tailored toward older adults, the statement noted.
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Department of Management Services
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Department of Enviromental Protection
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Consent order executed between FDEP, construction companies over Ortega River silt plumes News4Jax
The following statement is from the FDEP:
"The Department remains committed to conducting regular site visits to ensure all corrective actions are working. After our last site visit, staff confirmed the completion of the most important of the short-term corrective actions, putting temporary asphalt over the areas that had exposed limerock, the greatest contributor to the turbidity plumes. It was further observed responsible parties have greatly improved their Best Management Practices (BMPs) around disturbed earth.
Additionally, the Department determined that formal enforcement actions with the responsible parties that include longer term corrective actions and the assessment of appropriate fines/penalties was necessary. A consent order between our Department and the responsible parties was executed on August 6, 2020.”
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As of Monday August 6, 2020 a consent order between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Marietta Sand Corporation and RLH Construction LLC was voluntarily entered into by both parties.
This consent order was drafted after multiple violations of turbidity plumes flowing into the Ortega River from the construction site during heavy rains.
According to the order, violations were observed on site by the FDEP on May 27, 2020, June 5, 11 and 30, 2020 and July 10, 2020.
These violations included turbidity levels that exceeded water quality standards and insufficient best management practices.
As a result the responsible parties have been fined $26,500 for the violations.
Going forward the consent order enforces that best management practices be put in place, like putting up silt barriers and temporary asphalt to keep loose dirt and silt in place.
Within 45 days a third party must also perform a “River Assessment” to evaluate the Ortega River and canal for sediment resulting from erosion of the construction site.
Within 50 days the respondents must submit a report the “River Assessment” results.
From the effective date until the final stabilization of the project is achieved the respondents must take turbidity samples every day during heavy rain events upon appearance of a turbidity plume and report the results. High turbidity levels could result in another fine.
As of August 6th the respondents have started putting the best management practices in place.
The FDEP is confident that with the consent order in place and frequent inspections the issue will improve.
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Department of Transportation
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FDOT SR 82 Widening Project receives regional award Fox 4 Now
Making your commute easier and safer — that's what the Florida Department of Transportation set out to do the State Road 82 Widening Project. The roadway's original design posed many difficulties for drivers and pedestrians as surrounding communities continue to grow. "It was just two lanes of traffic, one lane in each direction, separated by double yellow lines," said Zachary Burch, Media Relations Manager with FDOT District 1. The project added four additional car lanes, bike lanes, pedestrian sidewalks, and lighting.
"If you were on a bike or foot, you were either on the road, on the shoulder, or on the grass," said Burch. But the most notable difference is the continuous flow intersection on SR 82 and Daniels Parkway.
"It's the first CFI in Florida and really is a transformational change not only for that intersection but for the whole corridor," said Burch. The fifty-five million dollar project was completed nearly a year ago, and since then, it has won several awards for its efficiency. "That intersection went from where drivers could wait through several signals to get through there, to now little to no delay," said Burch. The latest award coming for the Southern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO). "For the past 12 years, we've recognized projects that are making an impact on communities, making them safer," said Tony Dorsey, Media Relations Manager with AASHTO. The SR 82 Widening Project is among the eight winners out of seventeen that competed in the southern regional competition.
"The SR 82 Project is a hub, it's a central artery for agricultural usage throughout that area," said Dorsey. If selected as one of the top three best winners in the southern region, this project would go on to compete for the grand national award with America's Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). "It's always nice to be recognized by your peers, by the other states who recognize what this department and what this district have been able to accomplish," said Burch.
Improvements underway on I-75 weigh station Lake City Reporter
WHITE SPRINGS —The weigh stations on Interstate 75 in Hamilton County are undergoing a facelift from the Florida Department of Transportation. The DOT project will enhance lighting at the weigh stations near White Springs. Work is already begun on the improvements on the northbound weigh station. Once that side is completed, crews will move to the southbound station to begin work. The $1.64 million improvement project will also include electrical work and other incidental construction work.
SICE, Inc. is expected to complete the project by next spring. During construction, I-75 motorists will see few traffic impacts. However, DOT said there will be signage posted to alert drivers of the weigh station closures. Additionally, DOT urges motorists to always follow the speed limit and stay within the limits of orange cones and barrels while traveling through construction zones. For up-to-date information regarding construction projects and lane closures, please visit www.nflroads.com or contact FDOT personnel at 904-831-FDOT.
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