Governor DeSantis and First Lady visit Panama City Beach to discuss HOPE Florida

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis are scheduled to visit Panama City Beach on Thursday morning. They held a news conference with the state’s Secretary of the Department of Children and Families at Beachside Fellowship Miracle.

The conference highlighted the success of the Hope Florida program which is designed to help Floridians dealing with multiple struggles.

The first lady spearheads the initiative implemented by the Florida Department of Children and Families to use hope navigators to guide Floridians out of public assistance.

The program connects non-profits and faith-based communities with people in need through a care portal led by personal hope navigators. People will not only receive immediate assistance but also be able to develop long-term goals and map out strategic plans.

“It’s a game changer because yes you’re meeting immediate needs but you’re also letting these people who are suffering, sometimes alone, know that the entire community is ready to rally behind you,” Casey DeSantis said. “It’s just the faith-based community never knew they were there, but the government is uniquely positioned now to communicate and collaborate between good people in need of help and good people who are willing to help, and the government makes the connection, and they get out of the way.”

According to Ron DeSantis approximately 30,000 Floridians have reduced their reliance on overall public assistance with Hope Florida.

“Seventy-three percent of Hope Florida participants who had an employment barrier were able to find a job,” the governor said. “Sixty-two percent of participants who had a housing barrier were able to find stable housing. Sixty-eight percent of participants with a childcare barrier were able to find long-term support.”

The governor’s office said the program is the first of its kind in the nation and aims to assist people in multiple situations including pregnant moms, foster youth aspiring to go to college, veterans, and elderly people in need.

Groups assisting with the Hope Florida program have received grants to continue their work in the community.