News and Highlights
Children's Home Society of Florida, a leader in the child welfare field, provides top-notch, research-based, solutions-driven programs and services to Florida's children and families. While we work to protect children and families, we're also committed to breaking the generational cycle of abuse and neglect for increasing numbers of children. Learn more through the news featured below.
Contact Liz Bruner at Liz.Bruner@chsfl.org or (321) 397-0046 for further information or interview requests.
In honor of what would have been automotive pioneer and philanthropist Jim Moran’s 93rd birthday, The Jim Moran Foundation recently awarded two grants for $93,000 each to the Intercoastal (Fort Lauderdale) and Buckner (Jacksonville) divisions of Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS) for its Safe Babies initiative.
Children's Home Society of Florida honored Rep. Scott Plakon (R) with the 2011 Legislator Appreciation Award and also honored select child advocates with 2011 Advocacy Awards.
Child-welfare advocates hope to breathe new life into Evans High School by transforming the campus into a community hub with medical care and social services for students and extensive after-school programs for both students and parents alike, officials announced Thursday.
By Orlando Sentinel's Kate Santich and Leslie Postal
published in the Orlando Sentinel January 13, 2011
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-evans-community-center-20110113,0,1768484.story
Evans High School moved closer today in realizing its vision to become a world class educational facility with the announcement of a donation of $175,000 from JP Morgan Chase to Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS), one of several partners supporting its quest to become a full-service school.
By Gillian Nanton, West Orlando News
http://westorlandonews.com/2011/01/13/evans-high-school-its-a-new-day/
During an event attended today by elected officials, community partners, and students and their families, the JPMorgan Chase Foundation announced a gift of $175,000 to Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS) in support of Central Florida’s first community school, to open at reconstructed Evans High School.
Jaleeca Dawkins is determined not to become a statistic.
She turned 18 in December, during her senior year of high school.
At first, she celebrated, but reality soon set in -- Jaleeca was on her own.
By Jacqueline Fell, Reporter
Central Florida News 13
http://bit.ly/gaQsMo
Children’s Home Society of Florida finalized 788 adoptions during the 2009-2010 fiscal year; 736 were adoptions of children from foster care. Children’s Home Society of Florida has finalized more than 37,000 adoptions since inception.
Joe and Linda Acker, specialized therapeutic foster parents with Children’s Home Society of Florida’s Buckner Division, have been named Foster Parents of the Year by the Florida Coalition for Children, honoring the Ackers’ commitment to provide “more than just a healthy and safe place to live but also a friend and advocate to children in need.”
Children’s Home Society of Florida Dependency Case Manager Lisa Coleman received the Florida Coalition for Children’s Dependency Case Manager of the Year award, recognizing her “determination, special talents and patience needed daily to bring focus and the goal of permanency to each child served.”
Children’s Home Society of Florida President and CEO David A. Bundy was honored with Florida Coalition for Children’s Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his “career filled with a lifetime of service and accomplishments that have made a difference in the lives of Florida’s neediest children and their families.”
CHS President and CEO David Bundy announced the receipt of $6.36 million that will expand mentor support for children of incarcerated parents and aid homeless and runaway youth
About MODEL Mentoring (video time: 1:22)
Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS) received a 2010 national Adoption Excellence Award in the category of Adoption of Minority Children from Foster Care. The award, presented by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, recognizes CHS’ “extraordinary contributions in providing adoption and other permanency outcomes for children in foster care.”
Leadership Florida presented Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) with the 2010 Statewide Community Award, recognizing CHS’ commitment to improving the lives of Florida's citizens through collaboration, leadership and innovation.
Removed from their homes after suffering abuse, neglect and/or abandonment, more than 18,000 of Florida’s children will spend Mother’s Day without their mother. In foster care for their own safety and well-being, these children face uncertain futures, never quite knowing if – or when – they’ll be reunited with their parents.
Take a closer look at the devastating consequences of child abuse and neglect.
Florida’s Child Abuse Hotline received more than 220,000 calls last year – a 33 percent increase over the previous year. Of the victims who lost their lives – 201 – the majority (30 percent) died from physical abuse. Unsafe sleep environments and drowning claimed 54 percent more.*
To raise awareness of the horrific, ongoing problem of child abuse and neglect, April is recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Children's Home Society of Florida received a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide in-home Early Head Start services to low-income children and families in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.
In this brief video, Florida Governor Charlie Crist commends Children's Home Society of Florida, recognizing our incredible impact on children and families over the past century, particularly our successful efforts in finding loving families for children through public adoption.
My Word by David A. Bundy, published in the January 17, 2010, edition of the Orlando Sentinel.
I felt weak in the knees and immediately had to sit down when I opened the Orlando Sentinel on Jan. 7 and saw the glaring headline, " Florida in 2008: 20% rise in deadly abuse of children."
Celebrating a decade-long partnership of bringing families together through international adoption, Wide Horizons for Children shares fond thoughts of working with CHS.
(This article is featured on the Wide Horizons for Children Web site and was included in the organization's December 2009 electronic newsletter.)
Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) State Board member Samuel P. Bell, III, Esq., recently received an Honorary Doctor of Public Health Degree from the University of South Florida (USF) to commend his significant contributions to the college and field of public health.
In recognition of National Adoption Month, Governor Charlie Crist and First Lady Carole Crist applauded the adoption and child advocacy efforts of Children’s Home Society of Florida, North Central Division. Governor Crist highlighted the organization’s adoption services and our care for disabled, abused and neglected children.
Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) earned the Judges Award in the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission's 2009 William C. Schwartz Innovation Awards. This annual award program recognizes innovative companies that have significantly impacted the region and their respective fields through innovative practices, products and/or ideas. CHS earned the award for its annual Innovation Symposium.
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite selected Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) as a 2009 Congressional Angel in Adoption™ for outstanding advocacy of adoption and foster care issues.
Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) Healthy Families programs throughout the state, part of the Healthy Families Florida statewide system of voluntary home-visiting services, earned accreditation by Prevent Child Abuse America, the nation’s leading organization for child abuse prevention since 1972.
PR News selected Children’s Home Society of Florida, headquartered in Winter Park, as one of the “Top Places to Work in PR,” a distinction shared by only 25 companies nationwide and just five nonprofits.
The Orlando Sentinel named Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) a Top 100 Company for Working Families in the greater Central Florida area. The honor recognizes CHS’ family-focused, employee-centered environment.
Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) has received full re-accreditation by the Council on Accreditation (COA), illustrating CHS’ commitment to maintaining the highest level of standards and quality improvement.