ANNUAL REPORT 2022



A Letter from the President & CEO
united around the concept of building a strong message for workforce stability and funding.
Kurt Kelly CEO & President Florida Coalition For Children

It is amazing what one year brings. 2021 found us with multiple challenges as we were coming out of the COVID pandemic. The legislative process was greatly hampered because of the lack of accessibility and “hall work” with legislators, which was an important part of our success in previous years. Much of the work was defensive in nature, and there was a change in leadership at the Department of Children and Families, which affected the momentum of our legislative agenda and funding. When the dust settled, I was disappointed in our outcomes and how they affected our children and families.
However, after much reflection, we used those marginal results to build an unbelievable foundation for a banner year in 2022. I am excited that so many people came together to work toward our goals, especially at our 2021 Leadership Summit, where the FCC
In January, our Rally in Tally event served as an essential kick-off, as was the press conference and resulting conversations with members and legislators. Our message was on the forefront and being heard loud and clear. The result: the largest support for our vision, to see a system of child welfare in Florida that is fully resourced, well managed, and fulfills the needs of Florida’s vulnerable children and families, was realized with the influx of $150.5 Million in recurring funding into Florida’s system of care. Wowwhat a team effort!
And we didn’t stop there. The rest of the year was one of great collaborations, education opportunities, a wildly successful 2022 Diamond Anniversary Conference, and the foundation of skillful strategic planning for 2023 and beyond. But what really needs to be celebrated is that we know when we come together with shared values, a common vision, and a powerful message, we can succeed. We did not do this alone; I am thankful to the Governor, partners in the legislature, stakeholders, my amazing FCC staff and legislative team, and to all of you.
When we come together, we can and will be successful, so let us celebrate 2022 and be excited for what our future holds.

A Letter from the FCC Board Chair

achieve these goals. It is our hope and goal that by sharing these priorities, we, the FCC Board of Directors and executive leadership, express our commitment to transparency and increase the engagement of our existing and valued membership.
As I begin my first year as the Chair of Florida Coalition for Children's Board of Directors, I have been continually impressed with the drive and commitment the Coalition displays daily, to inspire action, investment, and system improvement across the state of Florida.
I was pleased to participate in the strategic planning process for 2023 along with Larry Rein, FCC's Foundation Chair, Kurt Kelly, CEO and President, and other board members. This process was started in September by our brilliant Vice President of Innovation and Knowledge Management, Dr. Patricia Nellius-Guthrie.
As we met, four key strategic priorities emerged. These will guide FCC in 2023, and with the support of our membership, we will
In 2023, we will be focused on our organizational excellence. Collectively, and collaboratively, our membership will work to achieve the highest possible impact. Our relationship with the Department of Children and Families is vital, and we will look to turn the vision we share into action, creating system-change that improves outcomes for the children, youth, and families for whom we care.
Being committed to system-change drives us to be consistently engaging with our elected representatives, keeping them informed, guiding their efforts, and establishing FCC as experts in child welfare. Lastly, every day, we hear stories of impact, and of successful outcomes. Our final key priority will be to use those stories not only to celebrate the results of our dedication to life-changing work, but also to inspire action across the state of Florida.
I look forward to all we will accomplish together in 2023.
United In Hope,

A. Montorio-Archer
CEO & President
One Hope United
"I have been continually impressed with the drive and commitment the Coalition displays."
A Letter from the FCC Foundation Board Chair
Larry Rein CEO
& President Greetings Colleagues, Partners, Supporters, and Stakeholders, ChildNet
My first year as Chair of the Florida Coalition for Children Foundation (FCCF) Board of Directors has been an incredibly full and rewarding one, much more active than I could have ever anticipated. Highlights have included:
2022 Annual Conference: The primary educational and training activity of the Foundation is the FCC Annual Conference, this year held in Orlando on July 12th & 13th. The return to a full-fledged in-person event was incredibly successful. Conference attendance of 650 was the largest ever. CEOs and case managers, legislators and those with lived experience, state and national experts, and stakeholders all presented and benefitted from uniquely intelligent and informative programming. Not to mention, dancing the night away at the first ever FCC Gala.
Strategic Plan Retreat: Foundation and FCC Board members, graciously hosted by Irene Rickus and the Children's Home Network, on August 12th, spent the entire day taking the initial steps in creating a new strategic plan for the organizations. Led by consultant Renee Dabbs, the group emerged having identified the plan's four key focus areas of Advocacy, Organizational Excellence, Department of Children & Families, and Brand, and the initial membership of action teams for each area were established.
Rally in Tally 2022: Rally in Tally 2022: FCC'S annual Rally in Tally event, held on January 24th, brought together dozens of lawmakers to have conversations with FCC members and enjoy heartwarming entertainment from Selfless Love Foundation youth. A successful press conference was also held jointly with TaxWatch, designed to continue our ultimately very successful, push for lawmakers to adequately and appropriately fund Florida's Community Based Care lead agencies and service providers and truly meet the needs of the children and caregivers we care for.
Hurricane Ian: As the September 28th hurricane ravaged communities across the state of Florida, the FCCF mobilized its network and established the FCCF Disaster Relief Fund to provide immediate assistance to support the rescue, relief, and recovery of Florida children, youth, and families associated with Florida's child welfare system of care. The donation campaign is ongoing; you can give HERE.
It has been a great first year as Foundation Board Chair, and I very much look forward to even more outstanding events and experiences in the coming year.


“We look forward to leading, guiding, and supporting the 2023 Strategic Planning process and serving you over the coming year.”Dr. Patricia Nellius Guthrie FCC Vice President of Innovation and Knowledge Management

Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I am pleased to report on the progress of the FCC Learning Community (LC) and the advancements housed under Innovation and Knowledge Management. Much has been accomplished.
This past year has been one of challenge, opportunity, advancement, and change. Most notably is how we as a collective have united to ensure Florida’s children, youth, and families served are afforded every opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive.
Serving as the backbone organization to promote our common agenda is on the forefront of all we do as a team at FCC. Our focus remains resolute in building and maintaining strong state, cross sector, and community partnerships. Our national footprint is growing as we invest in and collaborate with child and family wellbeing experts, policy makers, philanthropic leaders, individuals with lived experience, and advocates across the United States.
Being a laboratory of innovation, thought leadership, and evidence based and best practices are a chief priority. Impressive strides have been made toward attainment of the Learning Community’s 2021-22 Strategic Priorities of Workforce Stability, Youth and Family Engagement, Racial Equity and Inclusion, and the implementation of FFPSA.
We continue to invest in and provide leadership and support to the Thriving Families Safer Children movement alongside of cross sector partners, members, leaders, and individuals with lived expertise who are working together to inform and guide system transformation.
We have collaborated and contributed to advancement of the field serving on several councils and initiatives throughout the
state including Florida State University’s GROW Center Advisory Board, the DCF Preservice Decision-Making Team, Florida ARC State Advisory Council, and supporting the implementation of FFPSA. The FCC Strategy and Innovation Roundtable (SIRT) meets regularly to assess the landscape, set strategy, and explore and promote best practices and innovations and was instrumental in having $350,000 earmarked to conduct research and evaluation of member agency promising practice model programs.
The LC has experienced a growing demand for technical assistance and consultation along with coordination of networking opportunities with national experts which has been provided as a value add of the LC. We continue to increase content and build capacity of the FCC LC Knowledge Center resources, and curate training opportunities. In preparation for the roll out and expansion of the 2023 LC services and offerings we just completed a member survey that will guide and inform direction.
I continue to monitor, track, and report on policy development, conduct research, data analysis, and forecast current and emerging trends. As we continue to move toward our true north it is a privilege to lead, guide, and support members through the 2023 Strategic Planning process.
I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside of such a dedicated group of child and family advocates and to be entrusted to manage the internal operations and an exemplary team of FCC staff.


Florida Coalition for Children











The FCC would like to thank Terri Balliet for her valuable service as Board Chair in 2022.







FCC Foundation

















FCC Strategy and Innovation Round Table (SIRT)
Kids Central Family Support Services of North Florida
Florida FAPA
Northwest Florida Health Network
Elizabeth Wynter
Esther Jacobo
Fawn Moore
John Luff
Karen Maziarz
Kids Central Selfless Love Foundation
Citrus Family Care Network
Family Support Services of Suncoast

Camelot Community Care Youth and Family Alternatives
Leslie Veiga
Lindsey Phillips
Liz Oberman
Lynne Whittington
Mike Bryant
Mike Olbel Monique Myers
Patricia Nellius-Guthrie
Valerie Holmes
Citrus Health Network
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Florida Coalition for Children FamiliesFirst Network
Embrace Families
Community-Based Connections
Safe Children Coalition Florida Coalition for Children Brevard Family Partnership
SIRT Racial Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee
Arie Sailor
Bethany Lacey
Dacia Drury
David Hernandez
Elisabeth Eugene
Elizabeth Wynter
Esther Jacobo
Julie Smythe
Kathleen Cowan
Kerry Lewis
Leslie Veiga
Liz Oberman
Lynne Whittington
One Church One Child Florida
Boys Town South Florida
Safe Children Coalition
Children's Network of SW Florida
Communities Connected for Kids
Selfless Love Foundation
Citrus Family Care Network
Sunshine Health Network
Safe Children Coalition
Center for Family and Child Enrichment
Citrus Health Network
Florida Coalition for Children FamiliesFirst Network
Melissa Atkinson
Michael Reneke
Michelle Samuels
Mike Bryant
Mike Olbel Monique Myers
Nadereh Salim
Nathan Scott
Patricia Nellius-Guthrie
Sherina Johnson
Sheryl Williams
Tamaru Phillips
Kids Central Partnership for Strong Families
Citrus Family Care Network
Embrace Families
Community-Based Connections
Safe Children Coalition
Children's Network of SW Florida Florida Department of Health Florida Coalition for Children
Communities Connected for Kids ChildNet
Cayuga Centers
Amy Haile
Thriving Families Safer Children (TFSC)
Champions for Children
Chris Lolley Ounce of Prevention
Elizabeth Wynter Selfless Love Foundation
Genet Stewart Children's Board of Hillsborough County
Helen Lenaerts Florida Coalition for Children
Jennifer Behnam Independent Consultant
Jess Hanak-Coulter Casey Family Programs
Julie Smythe
Sunshine Health Network
Kristen Solomon Guardian ad Litem - State of Florida
LaTousha Daniels
Liz Oberman
Maneisha Hill
Liberty City
Florida Coalition for Children
Community-Based Connections
Marianna Tutwiler Florida Institute of Child Welfare
Melissa Palay Casey Family Programs
Monique Myers Safe Children Coalition
Nathan Scott
Patricia Nellius-Guthrie
Florida Heath - Circuit 12
Florida Coalition for Children
Ramin Kouzehkanani Hillsborough County
Sarah Sheppard FL Department of Children & Families
Shantinese Jackson Brevard C.A.R.E.S.
Stephen Pennypacker IAAME
Tera Bivens
FL Department of Children & Families
Teri Saunders Heartland for Children
Tiffany Csonka
Tracy Little
Ute Gazioch
Parent Leader
Ntl. Center for Innovation & Excellence
Florida Behavioral Health Association
Valerie Holmes Brevard C.A.R.E.S.
Billy Kent Chris Compton Christina Morris Courtney Stanford Dave DeStefano2022 Community Café Forum Facilitators
FFPSA: Teri Saunders, Heartland for Children; Schuyler Siefker, St. Augustine Youth Services; Brena Slater, Safe Children Coalition; Irene Rickus, Children's Home Network
Racial Equity and Inclusion: Mike Bryant, Embrace Families; Esther Jacobo, Citrus Family Care Network Workforce Stability: John Cooper, Kids Central Youth and Family Engagement: Dr. Elizabeth Wynter, Selfless Love Foundation; Dr. Patricia Nellius, Florida Coalition for Children; Corey Best, Mining for Gold
FCC System Operations Committee Chairs
System Ops Committee: Tiffany DaSilva, Wesley House Family Services Adoptions Subcommittee: Tara Frankland, FamliesFirst Network and Sharon Gibbs, Kids Central CFO Council: Cathy Macina, Embrace Families
CIO Council: Mark Monn, Embrace Families and Sam Merchant, Gulf Coast JFCS
COO Council: Shalonda McHenry-Sims, Kids Central and Helena Gammage, Lifestream Behavioral Health Case Management Subcommittee: Jennifer Anan, Embrace Families and Lisa Mayrose, Lutheran Services Florida Clinical Services Subcommittee: Monique Myers, Safe Children Coalition and Chrissy Curtis, Embrace Families Communications Workgroup: Christina Kaiser, Communities Connected for Kids Foster Care & Licensing Subcommittee: Tiffany Ball, FSS North Florida and Kim Pleasants, Embrace Families Independent Living Subcommittee: Keri Flynn, Embrace Families and JR Minter, Selfless Love Foundation Legal Issues Subcommittee: Kelly Swartz, Brevard Family Partnership and Rob Haley, Lutheran Services Florida Prevention & Diversion Subcommittee: Macey Wythe, Gulf Coast JFCS and Courtney Barnett, Kids Central Quality Assurance Subcommittee: Farima Farabash, Devereaux and Diane Greene, Embrace Families Residential/Group Care Subcommittee: Ayana Alexander, Friends of Children & Families and Fawn Moore, FSS Suncoast Strategy/Innovation Round Table: Patricia Nellius-Guthrie, Florida Coalition for Children Training Subcommittee: Nicky Smith, Communities Connected for Kids and Karen Turcotte, Children’s Network of SW Florida

“The most truly generous persons are those who give silently without hope of praise or reward.”
– Carol Ryrie Brink
Advocacy in 2022
The 2022 Legislative Session brought new challenges and bigger wins for the Florida Coalition for Children and our members. While there were new policy initiatives to implement, our system of care received the largest influx of new dollars than any previous year.

This year, two pieces of significant legislation related to child welfare were passed with positive impacts on our industry. SB 7034 was a bill created by the Senate Children, Families, and Elders Committee and concerned financial parity for relative caregivers and foster parents; HB 7065, by Representative Altman, addressed the needs of families by assisting fathers and mentors to be able to be more involved in their children’s lives, as well as to provide supports for young adults who have aged out of the foster care system.
We look forward to continuing to bring home wins to our system of care that will not only allow us to continue to have positive impacts on children’s lives, but to assist them from an at-risk case to a permanent lifetime success. Florida’s leadership is engaged in our issues, making the 2023 legislative session an exciting prospect for us and our ability to continue being successful in our advocacy efforts.
FCC’s Legislative Team this year will be monitoring legislative committee weeks and session, keeping you updated and utilizing their experience, relationships, and knowledge to assist the Coalition’s advocacy efforts on behalf of Florida’s child welfare system.

Rally in Tally Brings Child Welfare Professionals and

Florida
Legislators Together
FCC'S 2022 Rally in Tally Event, held January 24th, brought in dozens of lawmakers to have conversations with FCC members and enjoy heartwarming entertainment from Selfless Love Foundation's youth. A successful press conference was also held jointly with Florida TaxWatch, designed to continue the push for lawmakers to fund our depleted system of care. This and other efforts by the FCC Legislative Team ultimately captured record funding during the 2022 Legislative Session.

Finances
The Florida Coalition for Children and FCC Foundation have earned the highest attestation on audits for eight consecutive years.
Our 2021 audit report found both organizations' financial processes and internal controls conform with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). This achievement demonstrates an emphasis on detail and accuracy and reflects strong operational leadership. This financial overview is based on an independent report prepared by our auditors, Purvis, Gray and Company, LLP, a highly recognized certified accounting firm.
Our Finance Committee, which includes financial experts from member organizations, is responsible for monitoring the fiscal operations, policies, and procedures of the Florida Coalition for Children and FCC Foundation. Maintaining a strong financial position has created a solid foundation for the Florida Coalition for Children and FCC Foundation that sets up everything we do. We are able to better serve our members and make valuable investments that positively affect our children's lives and futures.

Communications

The FCC Communications Team is made up of four staff members who craft strategic messages almost daily to effect meaningful connections with our membership and outside entities that have an interest in Florida's child welfare system. Partners and potential partners are sought by our Communications Team to increase the FCC's influence with stakeholders around the country and beyond. Newsletters, press releases, social media posts, podcasts, and video features are disseminated weekly and are available on the FCC website for your review anytime.
Nurturing Well-Being with
2022 saw the first ever "Conference Series," where FCC staff took Nurturing Well-Being on the road to interview national experts in the child welfare field during the 2022 Diamond Anniversary Conference.



The first episode of "NWB" debuted in the spring of 2021 and has featured discussions about Florida's system of care with many important figures at the forefront of today's child welfare issues; lawmakers, dignitaries, experts, and parents and children with real-world experience in child and family well-being challenges explore causes and solutions with Florida Coalition for Children CEO & President, Kurt Kelly. The program now numbers 19 episodes and is shared in both a podcast and a live videocast format with listeners spanning the globe.
Our social media reach has increased to more than 117,500 individual viewers between September 30, 2021, and September 29, 2022.

FCC email marketing programs hit 2500 inboxes 52 weeks each year.


FCC Learning Community


The FCC Learning Community and Knowledge Center was created in 2020 to provide ways to connect with the state stakeholders and national thought leaders around the country and all over the world to come together to co-create innovative ways to improve the lives of Florida’s children and families. Supporting these efforts is the FCC Knowledge Center Child Welfare Library which was created to house resources including the latest child welfare research, policy developments, publications, links, and posts. National news feeds can be found in the member portal as well; on a daily basis, various industry organizations provide up-to-date information on the national landscape.
To learn more, the FCC Community Café Executive Summary can be found can be found on our website.

The FCC Learning Community (LC) has achieved impact and milestones in 2022. The FCC LC Training Institute has delivered training to 1,300 individuals in 2022 providing 17 educational venues comprised of 12 webinars, four Community Cafés and with the support of our sponsors, speakers, planning committee and staff, we hosted a very successful 60th Anniversary Conference celebrating “People, Purpose, Passion” with a record 650 attendees.
To promote collective impact and common agenda, the LC convened its second annual series of Community Café Forums where leaders reported progress on the 2021 FCC priorities of Racial Equity and Inclusion, FFPSA, Youth and Family Engagement, and Workforce Stability with over 300 individuals in attendance from across the community of practice. With strong leadership from our members, we have advanced the 2021-2022 FCC priorities and established new goals for 2022-23.
The Learning Community Knowledge and Resource Center content, capacity, and utilization has grown substantially from its inception in 2020. Between October 2021 and September 2022, we have seen over 80,000 visits to the website. Our social media reach has increased to more than 117,500 individual viewers between September 30, 2021, and September 29, 2022.
The LC Team has provided research and publications, technical assistance, consultation, and networking opportunities for partners and agencies. The FCC successfully obtained full legislative support on the proposed formation of a State Parent Leadership and Advocacy Network. We continue to support and partner with members and leaders to review, coordinate, and advocate for policy and practice that best serves Florida’s children, youth, and families.
Our Team
Dr. Patricia Nellius-Guthrie joined the Coalition in 2020 as the Executive Vice President of Innovation & Knowledge Management. She has expanded the FCC's scope and expertise on child welfare issues as a renowned subject matter expert at the state and federal levels and as an important liaison to principals on the state and national landscape. Patricia has served as a national consultant and trainer for over 25 years and is highly regarded for her leadership, advocacy, and innovations in system reform initiatives.
Under Patricia's leadership, the FCC Learning Community & Knowledge Center was established in 2020. Liz Oberman, Senior Director of Communications & Events Planning, serves alongside Patricia to promote the work of the Center and Training Institute. The Learning Community is comprised of a comprehensive research library, the latest child welfare news, and a state-of-the-art training institute that will undoubtedly make the Florida Coalition for Children a national thought leader on child welfare issues.


We have a wealth of goals and strategies to introduce in 2023 and will continue to create initiatives to help us better connect with our members, state leaders, and the children and families we serve.

The FCC embarked last year on a new chapter of a more robust legislative and advocacy unit. The momentum continues; this year, our Legislative Team now includes Caleb Hawkes as Director of Government Affairs, who brings expert knowledge of Florida politics and government agencies, and along with Chip Case of Jefferson Monroe as Political Director and Beth Labasky with Team 180 Consulting as Director of Government Relations, an effective force has been formed with our long-time dynamic advocate and FCC Director of Policy & Advocacy, Victoria Zepp. Lauren Truluck, the FCC's Director of Business and Finance, remains our go-to person for answers to all of your questions. This year, she has expanded her role by promoting the FCC through digital media sources and IT innovations.

Helen Lenaerts joined the FCC in-house staff in 2021 as Executive Support Coordinator, and she brings an impressive skill set and experience across many disciplines.




In the fall of 2020, the FCC started producing podcasts, videos, and other creative assets to enhance our messaging. Creative Director Justin White, a skilled videographer and graphic artist, heads all digital and video production, including the Nurturing Well-Being podcast and videocast that has attracted viewers around the world.

The FCC is ready to face the challenges of the new year with an innovative team, capable of creating and executing the initiatives at the heart of the work we do for Florida’s child and family well-being.





The Value of the Florida Coalition for Children
Outstanding Advocacy
• FCC's respected 60-year history of leveraging positive results, outcomes, and collective impact for child and family well-being
• Expert analysis and up-to-date news on Legislative, Policy, and Regulatory Matters
• 100% response rate and quick turnaround time addressing critical issues
• Your voice faithfully represented at the Capitol and supported by leading experts in many fields
• Laser focus on securing legislation that helps Florida’s Child Welfare System of Practice AND stopping bills from passing that impact our Members negatively
Strong Relationships
• Since 1962, the FCC has been a resilient steward of resources and has enhanced credibility and influence for our members using both political and social capital
• Networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration at FCC conferences and summits build relationships between diverse groups of child welfare stakeholders
• The Coalition has an aerial view of state and national communities of care and offers inclusion in statewide workgroups and task forces, including joint DCF/FCC Workgroups
Exclusive Access
• Admittance to FCC's Member Network of over 70 child welfare agencies and providers
• Participation in statewide workgroups and task force groups, including joint DCF/FCC Workgroups
• Member-only communications through weekly newsletters, membership calls, legislative updates, and free access to the FCC Career Center
• Discounted registration rates for FCC & FCCF events, including our Annual Conferences, Leadership Summits, Rally in Tally, and Community Cafés, as well as savings on COA Accreditation
• Coordination of technical assistance, consultation, and training with state and national experts
Innovation in Learning and Communications
• The FCC Learning Community and Knowledge Center is filled with resources, data, and trainings that promote the exchange of ideas and information
• Conferences, round tables, leadership forums, and learning series produce innovative ways to improve the lives of families and their children
• The FCC's Nurturing Well-Being with Kurt Kelly original videocast and podcast series exposes you to leaders and stakeholders who give in-depth, real-time information, experiences, and opinions that shape our industry

