Florida
First Lady Casey DeSantis Holds Listening Session on Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Sanford
SANFORD, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis held a listening session on mental health and substance abuse at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in Sanford. This was her second listening session of the day following a stop at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast in Venice. These sessions were part of the First Lady’s Hope for Healing Florida campaign, a multi-agency initiative that strives to combine the resources and efforts of the public and private sectors to better serve Floridians struggling with mental health and substance abuse.
Photo: Willie David/Florida National News.
First Lady DeSantis also announced a new drug abuse prevention panel with Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma serving as chair. The panel will discuss and determine best practices and innovative solutions to combat drug abuse throughout the state, especially concerning Florida’s youth.
“I am excited to announce the formation of a new drug abuse prevention panel and I thank Sheriff Dennis Lemma for his willingness to serve as chair of this important initiative,” said First Lady DeSantis. “As we enter the school year, we want to make sure that kids know how dangerous drugs can be, as well as what they should do if someone in their home is using drugs. We will continue to confront these challenges head-on and I look forward to working with leaders from around the state to determine how we can better serve those in need.”
The First Lady was joined today by Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Mary Mayhew, Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Simone Marstiller, Representative Cyndi Stevenson, Representative Scott Plakon, Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, Orange County Sheriff John Mina, Department of Children and Families Chief of Staff David Mica, as well as stakeholders and community leaders from the Orlando area.
“It was a pleasure having First Lady DeSantis at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office today and I am honored to chair her new drug abuse prevention panel,” said Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma. “The collective IQ of a group is always stronger than that of an individual and through increased collaboration being spearheaded by the First Lady, I am confident we will find meaningful solutions to these challenges facing Floridians.”
“First Lady Casey DeSantis’ leadership in this area is needed and welcome,” said Representative Cyndi Stevenson. “Her energy, and the act of bringing people together will serve as a catalyst to promote needed improvements in the access to care and will pay long term dividends for many Floridians and their families.”
Governor DeSantis’ Bold Vision for a Brighter Future Budget included nearly $2 billion in substance abuse prevention and mental health funding. This includes more than $123 million in state and federal funding for medication-assisted treatment and prevention and recovery services to confront the opioid epidemic.
The Governor’s budget also included $75 million for the Mental Health Assistance Allocation for Florida schools. This funding will go directly to school districts to provide additional mental health services to students in need.
More information on Hope for Healing Florida visit www.HopeForHealingFL.com.
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Attorney General Uthmeier Announces Charges Against Six in South Florida Drug Trafficking Enterprise
Florida
Republican Rep. Paula Stark Disqualified From Ballot, Giving Democrats Opportunity to Flip House District 47
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida State Rep. Paula Stark has been disqualified from seeking reelection in Florida House District 47 after failing to satisfy candidate qualifying requirements before the noon Friday filing deadline.
According to state election records, Stark’s candidacy was disqualified due to a deficiency involving required financial disclosure filings, commonly referred to as Form 6. Florida law requires candidates for legislative office to timely submit all qualifying documents, including financial disclosure forms, to appear on the ballot.
Form 6 Financial Disclosure Requirement
Form 6 is a public financial disclosure document required for state elected officials and candidates. The form requires candidates to disclose assets, liabilities, sources of income, and other financial interests.
The disclosure includes a sworn certification stating: “Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing Form 6 and that the facts stated in it are true.”
Candidates are required to complete, sign and timely file the disclosure as part of Florida’s qualifying process. Failure to properly file required qualifying documents, including Form 6, by the statutory deadline can result in disqualification from the ballot.
Democrats Advance to Primary Election
With Stark removed from contention, Democrats now have an opportunity to capture the Republican-held seat in House District 47.
The only candidates remaining in the race are:
- Jorge Figueroa, President of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
- Anthony Nieves, a state investigator
The two Democrats will compete in the Aug. 18 Democratic Primary, with the winner becoming Representative-Elect.
House District 47 covers portions of Osceola County and has been represented by Stark since her election to the Florida House.
The disqualification was among the most notable developments of Florida’s 2026 candidate qualifying period and significantly alters the political landscape in a district Republicans had hoped to retain.
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