Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday afternoon that Florida’s Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll will be leaving the agency next month. Carroll has served at DCF and its predecessor Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services since January 1990. Carroll is the longest serving DCF secretary in the department’s history.

“Mike embodies the ideals and mission of the Department of Children and Families and has devoted nearly three decades to improve and change the lives of Florida’s vulnerable children and familie,” Scott said about Carroll.  

Under Carroll’s leadership at DCF, the agency reached a number of milestones, including achieving a record numbers of adoptions. He also oversaw Florida becoming a national leader in benefit accuracy and administrative cost savings in the department’s Automated Community Connection to Economic Self Sufficiency, or ACCESS program.

He also conducted a comprehensive review and made significant improvements at state-operated mental health treatment facilities and expanded substance abuse treatment services statewide, including medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders.

Carroll helped promote anti-human trafficking efforts in Florida, expanded the department’s outcome reporting and data analytics, and enhanced transparency within the agency.

“Mike’s tenure as secretary is the longest in DCF’s 21-year history,” Scott added. “Throughout his career, Mike has focused on innovative solutions to complicated problems, finding ways to enable better outcomes for children and families.”

Carroll’s last day will be Sept. 6.