REP. AUSLEY APPOINTED CHAIR OF HEALTHY KIDS BOARD BY CFO SINK
Ausley is a statewide champion for children’s issues

Calling upon one of the state’s leading children’s advocates, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink today announced she has appointed State Representative Loranne Ausley to serve as the Chair of the Healthy Kids Board, effective after her fourth legislative term.

During her first 20 months in office, CFO Sink personally served as the Healthy Kids Board Chair, successfully navigating the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation through its first leadership change and identifying measures to streamline the program and make it easier for Florida’s families to purchase children’s health insurance.

“I’m proud today to appoint an accomplished public servant with a passion for improving the lives of Florida’s children,” said CFO Sink, who oversees the Department of Financial Services. “With Loranne leading the Healthy Kids Board and helping improve the Healthy Kids program, Florida’s families have a strong advocate at their side.”

“What an honor to be able to serve the children of Florida in such a critical role as we work to ensure that all children in Florida have access to affordable health care,” said Rep. Ausley. “The KidCare program is one of the best ways to ensure that hard working families can provide health insurance for their children. As Chair, I will continue to work with the Board, the Legislature, advocates and partners to make the process easier for families, and to make sure that we are maximizing our draw down of federal dollars.”

The Florida Healthy Kids program is a public-private partnership that allows Florida’s families to purchase health insurance for their children. Florida Healthy Kids is a component of the larger Florida KidCare program, which serves nearly 1.4 million children.
Approximately 250,000 children are enrolled in Florida Healthy Kids, and their coverage includes regular doctor visits, dental check-ups and immunizations. For more information about enrollment in Florida KidCare, visit www.floridakidcare.org  to apply on-line or call 1-888-540-5437 to receive an application by mail.

CFO SINK HONORS MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME WITH A CABINET RESOLUTION

The My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program was created in 2006 by the Florida Legislature to assist Floridians in strengthening their homes against hurricane damage through free wind inspections and grants up to $5,000. Last year, the Legislature set a goal for the MSFH program to perform 400,000 free wind inspections for eligible homeowners.

As of August 1, 2008, more than 400,000 homeowners have applied for a free wind inspection in order to learn what they can do to harden their homes against storm damage and how to save money on their wind insurance premiums.

To date, the MSFH program, including local government and non-profits, has approved grants for approximately 38,889 homeowners and has paid 18,465 grants to homeowners totaling more than $62.9 million. Sixty percent of homeowners statewide who received a free wind inspection are eligible for an average savings of $220 on their wind insurance premiums

R E S O L U T I O N

             WHEREAS, during the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, Florida was ravaged by eight named storms causing more than $38 billion of insured damage to homes and property; and 

            WHEREAS, in response to these catastrophic losses, the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program was created in 2006 by the Florida Legislature to assist Floridians in strengthening their homes against hurricane damage through free wind inspections and grants up to $5,000; and  

            WHEREAS, in 2007, the Legislature set a goal for the MSFH program to perform 400,000 free wind inspections for eligible homeowners; and  

            WHEREAS, as of August 1, 2008, more than 400,000 homeowners have applied for a free wind inspection in order to learn what they can do to harden their homes against storm damage and how to save money on their wind insurance premiums; and  

WHEREAS, sixty percent of homeowners statewide who received a free wind inspection are eligible for an average savings of $220 on their wind insurance; and  

            WHEREAS, today, the MSFH program, including local government and non-profits, has performed 360,337 inspections totaling $54 million, approved $152 million in grants for approximately 37,592 homeowners and paid 19,364 grants to homeowners totaling more than $67 million.  

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida do hereby recognize the 

MY  SAFE  FLORIDA  HOME   

program in the State of Florida and commend the program for their dedication and perseverance on behalf of the citizens of Florida.

             BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida do hereby encourage her citizens to be proactive in the protection of their homes, lives and property during hurricane season. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida have hereunto subscribed their names and have caused the Official Seal of the State of Florida to be hereunto affixed in the City of Tallahassee on this 12^th day of August, 2008. 

CFO SINK WELCOMES NEW DEPUTY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER BRIAN LONDON

Brian London has been appointed Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the Florida Department of Financial Services. Brian's responsibilities will include oversight of the Divisions of Insurance Fraud, State Fire Marshal, and Workers' Compensation.

An experienced law enforcement professional, Brian most recently served as the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of INTERPOL. With more than twenty-five years in law enforcement and management roles, Brian has also served with U.S. Customs Service (Homeland Security), the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Central Intelligence Agency. He received a Master’s degree in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University and a Master’s in Human Resource Management from Pepperdine University. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Claremont McKenna College.

R. JAI HOWARD PROMOTED BY CFO SINK

R. Jai Howard has been promoted to serve as Director of Appointments for the Office of Boards, Commissions and Residual Markets in CFO Sink's office. In that role, R. Jai will work  to coordinate appointments to various Boards and Commissions under the CFO's purview and represent the CFO at meetings. R. Jai holds a Master of Public Health degree from Florida A & M University and also earned her B.S. in Biology from FAMU. She previously has served as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff and as Staff Director to the Financial Literacy Council, a role in which she will continue.

SINK ORDERS EXTERNAL AUDIT OF ACCOUNTING & AUDITING

In a continuing effort to improve safeguards over public funds, Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink announced she has engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP, to review procedures surrounding electronic payments and transfers within the Division of Accounting and Auditing.

“Prudent financial management requires frequently updating processes to make sure we have appropriate protections in place,” said CFO Sink, who oversees the Department of Financial Services. “Just like Floridians have to be wary of today’s more sophisticated criminals, state government needs to stay one step ahead by tightening protocols to better safeguard public funds.”