Lt Col Ralph Riddle Commander of 832nd Transportation Battalion
Lt Col Ralph Riddle, 832nd Transportation Battalion is responsible for shipping supplies to the forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is the only regular Army unit in Jacksonville. The 832nd has been based in Jacksonville since 2004 and it is the only military command located inside a commercial port. Lt Col Riddle came to Jacksonville after a tour in the Pentagon, where he helped supply logistical support to the command overseeing South and Central America and the Caribbean.
President Mike opened the meeting by giving thanks to Jim Kelly for last months sports program. Ed Pratt-Dannals was noticed as speaking to Riverside Rotary this morning.
Upcoming events:
There is an October 4th Memorial Park Cleanup.
Bill Howey announced the Blood Mobile was outside
Jeff Collins noted the Dove Shoot, Sept. 13th at 11am.
Larry Johnson of Fleming Island Rotary Club thanked the West Jacksonville Rotary for their help and specifically Ken Baker and Cecil Gibson and provided the Fleming Island Flag.
Lorrie Dajani announced that her father had just been awarded the Bronze Star from his service in Korean War.
Mike Crumpler announced that he would drink out of any opposing team's cup should they beat Florida this year.
The football pool was handed out and Georgia Football jokes were told, mostly factual.
Jerry Spinks introduced Jim Adams, Director of Family Support Services:
Jim Adams is past chairman of the School Board and has 31 years of Foster Care experience.
Jim, upon introduction, noticed Judge Dell Wallace (Westside) for his contributions to the amazing success of the Foster program and specifically Family Support Services of Jacksonville.
Family Support Services (FSS) is based in Duval but services Nassau county as well.
3,000 Foster Children currently under care with an additional 22 Children/wk introduced into the system.
FSS works closely with Daniel, PSI and Child Home Society to provide for the needs of Northeast Florida.
FSS adopted 572 children this past year, compared to Miami's 127 from a larger market making FSS #1 in Florida.
Dauntry & Jordan were both introduced.
Dauntry's birthday is October 5th, Westside to send card.
Jordan's birthday is December 24th, Westside to send card.
FSS operates on a budget of $40M/year and is 4 years in existence.
There are currently too many children and some have to be turned away.
FSS and Jim initiated the Cassat House, providing critical family services for at risk families including substance abuse risks, domestic violence risks.
Cassat House works with Gateway and Hubbard House to provide services and has a partnership with FCCJ educational assessment of clients of the Cassat House.
Cassat House went from helping 500 to 1500 kids in less than one year.
FSS provides the community with the best service when it is able to reunite families in stable environments.
During the Q&A, Jim explained that FSS works with children ranging in age from Infant to 17. This range can be sub-divided into 3 groups:
Infant - 5, largest group
6 - 11, next largest group
12 - 18, most unsuccessful placement
The reasons for kids become foster children include:
Economics
Substance Abuse
Domestic Violence
FSS recives funding from the State and Federal government. They are underfunded. He also explained that foster children get Medicaid free until they are 18. Foster children also get free in-state college tuition. Foster children receive a stipend if they stay in school until age 23. Immigrants have virtually no impact.
What is money spent on, $13k/child/year:
Placement
Case Supervision, Legal fees
Long Term Planning
Care, Board and Food
There are currently 120 teenagers in the Family Support Services system. Duval has 370 Foster Care Homes.
Visiting Rotarians:
Larry Johnson -- Fleming Island
Robert Champain -- Ponte Vedra
Bob Broome -- Riverside
Tim Wyatt
Rotary guests:
Hugh Glanton -- Guest of Frank Scheu
Elisa Sommer -- Guest of Jim Riggan
