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Back in late 2021, Eckerd Connects announced it was not seeking contract renewal with the Florida Department of Children and Families for its work in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.
The private, state-funded organization provided foster care and child services for DCF. But DCF said it was the one that severed ties with the organization.
It was the beginning of an explosive series of events, including a child pornography scandal.
Fast forward to this summer, the organization laid off 176 workers associated with its pulling out of the DCF contract.
New contractors have since been deployed in all three counties.
– Staff report, Florida Politics