Our Story
About Mothers Fighting DCF
We are a grassroots advocacy organization founded by Florida mothers who experienced the child welfare system firsthand — and refused to stay silent about what they found.
How We Started
Mothers Fighting DCF began in 2019 when a small group of Florida mothers — strangers to each other, but united by identical experiences — found each other in a courthouse waiting room. Each had been told her case was unique. Each had been told she was the problem.
They quickly realized the truth: their cases were not unique at all. The same patterns, the same language, the same disregard for due process appeared in case after case across the state.
What started as a support group became an advocacy organization. What started as shared grief became shared purpose. We exist to make sure that what happened to us cannot keep happening in silence.
"We were told to be quiet, to comply, to trust the system. We chose to speak instead."
2019
Year founded
400+
Families connected with resources
12
Florida counties reached
We are not anti-child protection.
We are anti-injustice.
Our Mission
To amplify the voices of Florida families separated by DCF, to connect them with legal and emotional support, and to advocate for systemic reform that prioritizes family preservation over removal.
Truth
We believe in telling the full story — not the sanitized version. The truth about what DCF does to families in Florida must be heard.
Dignity
Every mother who has lost a child to the system deserves to be treated with dignity, not shame. We refuse to let the system define who these women are.
Accountability
Government agencies must be held accountable for their decisions. We document, advocate, and demand transparency at every level.
Community
No mother should fight alone. We build community among families who have experienced the system so that no one faces it in isolation.
What We Do
Story Collection
We gather and publish first-person accounts from families affected by DCF, creating a public record that cannot be ignored.
Resource Navigation
We connect families with legal aid organizations, support groups, and advocacy tools specific to their county and situation.
Legislative Advocacy
We engage with Florida lawmakers to push for reforms that require greater transparency, due process, and accountability in DCF proceedings.
Community Building
We host peer support meetings — both in-person and online — where families can share experiences, strategies, and solidarity.
Join us in demanding change.
Whether you have a story to share, a resource to contribute, or simply want to stand with Florida families — there is a place for you here.