Organizational and Financial Achievements
As leaders within Miami-Dade’s child welfare system, Voices and the GAL Office continued to increase their capacity towards addressing the need for systemic change. This was achieved by securing sufficient unrestricted funding to cover all general operating expenses for FY 2022-2023 and by securing funding for the permanency specialist and independent living specialist positions that were recently pioneered and are expected to significantly impact the eventual systemic change needed in Miami-Dade County’s CWS. Dependent children are beginning to achieve expedited permanency in safe, stable homes and dependent youth are moving towards more successful transitions to adulthood.
Voices and the GAL Office are excited that these new positions bring forth daily changes that will impact youth’s long-term success, often by informing them and their advocates about the many community resources that are available and how to access them. For example, the independent living specialist is informing dependent youth who have Medicaid that within the Medicaid system they are entitled to a $25 monthly allowance at CVS stores for over-the-counter medications, health and hygiene items and other necessities. Ordered online with free delivery, this important benefit is especially valuable as youth can obtain these essentials despite not having their own transportation to get them. Finding such resources and empowering youth to access them on their own will continue to make the daily differences that minimize barriers to self-sufficiency and maximize youth’s successful outcomes.
As stated at the beginning of this report, in 2022-2023, Voices new president and CEO and board chair engaged Voices and the GAL Offices’ leadership teams in Strategic Planning to guide their ongoing success through 2026-2027.
In 2022-2023, a total of $5,922,608 was raised, including $1,996,696 from individuals and corporations; $599,150 from foundations; $3,326,762 from local, state and federal government sources; and $119,103 in in- kind contributions.
According to Charity Navigator, the nation’s premier independent evaluator of nonprofit organizations, Voices continued to earn a 4-star rating. This highest possible rating indicates that the organization adheres to nonprofit sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way. Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that Voices exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its area of work.
