The Florida Center for Government Accountability Inc

Journalism Program
Goal #1: Create a strong pipeline of independent and impactful news stories to be published on the FLCGA website and by other media outlets across Florida.
Goal #2: Develop an interactive and robust FLCGA news site providing access to its investigative reports and links to important articles published by other media outlets to a large and dedicated audience.
Public Access Program
Goal #1: Increase program capacity and the ability to collaborate with journalists and members of the public by ensuring timely access to critical and relevant information.
Goal #2: Increase and improve program staff efficiency with additional resources.
Student NewsWatch
Goal: Merge Florida Student NewsWatch with the Florida Center for Government Accountability, creating a mutually-beneficial student journalism program that is bolstered by FLCGA’s work and resources, assisting FLCGA with its mission and tasks.
Public Records Vault
Goal: Create a free and publicly accessible Public Records Vault to hold public records obtained by, or on behalf of, FLCGA as well as public records donated by others.

Journalism Program
• Expand roster of journalists
• Expand collaborative relationships with print and broadcast media
• Create a diverse team of opinion writers.
• Identify and develop a unique news site using existing online templates
• Provide FLCGA’s social media staff with the necessary training and tools
• Secure additional funding
Public Access Program
• Continue to assess open government issues of statewide concern
• Recruit additional cooperating attorneys with open government experience
• Obtain enhanced software tools for research
• Recruit a data analyst
• Seek a sponsored law school intern
• Secure additional funding
Student NewsWatch
• Establish procedures for semester-long commitments with three to four university level students per semester
• Identify target universities with which to establish relationships
• Assist and support student groups in developing, editing and publishing news stories
• Expand Student NewsWatch to make more mentor and student positions available and manageable
• Secure long-term funding
Public Records Vault
• Recruit and hire a Vault Manager
• Identify the appropriate platform for housing the Vault
• Obtain all essential licenses and software for converting the records into usable formats
• Develop a strategy for obtaining and depositing public records
• Identify inherent security and liability issues
• Create a policy for accessing and depositing Vault records
• Secure funding

FLCGA has a highly motivated and experienced team working on program development and sustainability and a board of directors devoted to supporting and ensuring the success of FLCGA's future through its fundraising efforts.

FLCGA staff can call on the members of its diverse advisory board for guidance and assistance in all program areas.

FLCGA's executive director has 25+ years of experience in non-profit management and grant writing.

Journalism Program has
• Recruited three additional freelance reporters
• Formalized collaborative relationships with two public radio stations and is collaborating with a third
• Collaborated with print and online media outlets on reporting stories based on tips received by FLCGA
• Developed an enhanced news site live as of February 21, 2022

Public Access Program has
• Identified an additional area of concern regarding fees charged for copies of public records and is prepared to litigate the issue
• Continued to make public records requests
• Continued to assist citizens in obtaining public records
• Collaborated on a major news story

Student NewsWatch has
• Recruited two additional mentors
• Retained high school intern to assist in developing critical databases
• Identified two college students for fellowships

Public Records Vault has
• Identified a possible vault manager for recruitment