Citrus Family Care Network and Circle of Brotherhood Announce Partnership to Better Support Black Children and Families in Miami’s Foster Care System

MIAMI, FLA.— Citrus Family Care Network and Circle of Brotherhood are coming together to enhance services for children and teens in Miami-Dade’s foster care system. 

The partnership and the launch of a Foster Parent recruitment campaign are being announced at a press conference on Tuesday, February 15th in the morning, followed by a Town Hall Meeting the evening.

A key component of the partnership is to address an urgent community need in Miami-Dade County for Foster Parents who can provide safe, loving, and temporary homes for children and teens who entered the foster care system through no fault of their own after suffering abuse, neglect or abandonment.  

“As the local child welfare agency, it is our job to find innovative ways to address the needs of our community.  By working with Circle of Brotherhood we are tapping into a valuable resource to provide supports for the children and families we serve. We are grateful for their partnership and value their knowledge and dedication to our community,” said Esther Jacobo, Director of Citrus Family Care Network

The two organizations have scheduled the announcement during Black History Month in recognition of the fact that Black children are disproportionately represented in the foster care system and often have disparate outcomes compared to non-Black children. 

“Our partnership serves as a pivotal response to an often forgotten about population of children and youth who face tremendous odds coming through foster care.  While all youth in foster care are under siege, Black children in foster care are in peril.  We're calling on everyone to play their part,” said Brother Lyle Muhammad Executive Director Circle of Brotherhood.

WHAT:           Press Conference Announcing Partnership between Citrus Family Care Network and Circle of Brotherhood

WHEN:           Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Press Conference: 10:00 a.m. Town Hall Meeting: 6:30 p.m.

 WHERE:        Circle of Brotherhood (located at the Dr. Dorothy Bendross Mindingall Social-Economic Institute)

5120 NW 24th Ave, Miami, Florida 33142

Citrus Family Care Network (Citrus FCN) is the Community Based Care Lead Agency for child welfare in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties under contract with the Florida Department of Children and Families.  As Lead Agency, Citrus FCN manages foster care and related services, including child abuse prevention and intervention, protective supervision, intake, foster parent recruitment and licensing, foster care placement, adoptions, and extended foster care and independent living for young adults who have aged out of foster care.

The Circle of Brotherhood is an organization of primarily Black men from all walks of life dedicated to community service, economic development, crime prevention, conflict resolution and mediation, educational services, and youth mentorship. Members of the Circle have dedicated their lives to collectively solving the social ills of our community.