Mission: Protect the Vulnerable, Promote Strong and Economic Self-Sufficient Families, and Advance Personal and Family Recovery and Resiliency. Charlie Crist, Governor George Sheldon, Secretary Report of Gabriel Myers Workgroup

08/25/20092 Gabriel Myers

08/25/20093 The Case of Gabriel Myers On April 16, 2009, seven year old Gabriel Myers apparently hanged himself in the residence of his foster parents. Gabriel had been adjudicated dependent on September 2, 2008, following the arrest of his mother and the filing of the abuse report that brought him into care on June 29, During the subsequent ten months, Gabriel was initially sheltered in a licensed foster home, then, after a positive home study, placed with relatives on July 8, When that placement broke down, he was returned to the initial licensed foster home October 8, When that placement also broke down, he was sent to a second licensed home on March 3, 2009 where he resided at the time of his death.

08/25/20094 The Case of Gabriel Myers Continued… While in care, he received numerous mental health and behavioral assessments and underwent regular treatment from a psychiatrist and two psychotherapists One psychotherapist documented that it is clear that this child is overwhelmed with change and possibly re-experiencing trauma. Gabriel demonstrated a number of incidents of destructive behavior and conduct problems and was treated with counseling and several psychotherapeutic medications. In February and March, 2009, Gabriel experienced a number of significant events in life, including changes in foster homes, psychotherapists, after-school programs, loss of privileges at home, and visitation arrangements with his mother.

08/25/20095 Members of the Workgroup Dr. James D Sewell, Assistant Commissioner (Retired), Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Chair Bill Janes, Assistant Secretary Department of Children and Families Robin Rosenberg, Deputy Executive Director, Floridas Children First Dr. Rajiv Tandon, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine Dr. Anne Wells, Chief, Medicaid Pharmacy Services, Agency for Health Care Administration

08/25/20096 Designated Advisors to the Workgroup Betty Busbee, former Chair, Florida Statewide Advocacy Council Theresa A. Flury, Executive Director, Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Judge John Frusciante, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Dr. Mike Haney, Director, Prevention and Intervention, Childrens Medical Services, Department of Health

08/25/20097 Charge to the Work Group The specific case of Gabriel Myers; The use of psychotropic drugs to treat children in foster care; and Child-on-child sexual abuse

08/25/20098 Meeting Sites and Dates Ft. Lauderdale on May 14, 2009 Tampa June on 08, 2009 Ft. Lauderdale on June 18, 2009 Tallahassee on July 6, 2009 Tampa on July 24, 2009 Tampa on August 25, 2009

08/25/20099 Findings of the Gabriel Myers Work Group 148 Total Findings that fall into one of ten areas: The Case of Gabriel Myers The Use of Psychotropic Medications to Treat Children in Foster Care Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessments Information Contained in the Florida Safe Families Network Informed Consent and Judicial Review

08/25/ Findings of the Gabriel Myers Work Group Continued… Information Sharing Behavioral Health Care Individual and Agency Accountability Implementation of the Red Item Report on Psychotropic Drug Use in Foster Care Ensuring Best Practices

08/25/ Next Steps?

08/25/ For More Information