FDLE Mobile APP vs Next Steps Mentoring

The official Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) mobile app now makes it easier to access services provided to the public. The app is a free download and provides user-friendly navigation for mobile devices. - Search Florida’s criminal history information (uncertified search) - Search for sexual offenders / predators by name or an address as well as identify sexual offenders / predators, on a map, registered with a residential address near your current location - Search for stolen vehicles, license plates, boats, guns or other property - Report what appears to be suspicious activity; send a picture if available - Search arrests and Florida statutes - Search cases of missing or unidentified persons ages 18+ - Search unsolved cases in Florida as reported by local law enforcement agencies - Easily sign up to receive all active AMBER, Silver, Missing Child Alerts, and Blue Alerts - Conveniently access the most frequently utilized contacts at FDLE - View videos related to public services offered by FDLE The FDLE mobile app will request access to use the device’s location to provide the map, with pinpoints, of where sexual offenders and predators have registered a residential address to live or frequently stay. The FDLE mobile app requires access to your device’s phone functionality in order to assist you with placing calls to the appropriate areas for the services provided. The FDLE mobile app requires access to your device’s photo gallery in order to upload pictures which you may have related to suspicious activities that you want to report. The FDLE Mobile app does not track your location or usage and does not store any of your personal information

Next Steps Mentoring helps school-sponsored programs connect trained high-school student mentors with younger and incoming students in a safe, structured environment. Mentors and mentees can communicate, stay informed, attend chapter activities, and build meaningful connections—all within a platform designed around adult program oversight. INVITE-ONLY BY DESIGN Next Steps is not an open social network, and there is no public registration. Accounts are created or approved by authorized school program staff. Students under 18 may participate only after the program has received the required parent or guardian consent. SUPERVISED COMMUNICATION Approved mentors and mentees can communicate through supervised one-to-one messaging Authorized adult program staff can review all program communications Student users cannot delete or alter previously sent messages Participants can report concerning messages directly within the app Staff can investigate reports and restrict or remove accounts when appropriate Students can interact only with approved participants in their own school chapter FOR STUDENTS Communicate with an approved mentor or mentee View chapter announcements and important updates Discover upcoming chapter events and RSVP in one tap Apply to become a student mentor Receive information and guidance from their school program Student leaders can propose matches, events, and announcements for adult approval FOR PROGRAM STAFF Create and manage school and chapter rosters Track parent or guardian consent status Review and approve mentor-mentee matches Approve events and announcements before publication Supervise program communications from a dedicated oversight view Review reported content and take appropriate action Maintain an audit trail of important program activity PRIVACY-FIRST Next Steps collects only the information reasonably necessary to operate the mentoring program. The app does not use third-party advertising, sell personal information, or track participants for advertising purposes. The platform does not request students' precise locations, device contacts, personal photographs, or birthdates. Next Steps Mentoring is available only to participants in approved school-sponsored mentoring programs. If your school does not yet have a Next Steps chapter, visit nextstepsmentoring.org to learn more.