Child Advocacy Expo 2022

11TH ANNUAL NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Back by Popular Demand!
Annual Child Advocacy Expo
Thursday, August 4th, 2022 – 9 am to 1:00 pm
Pinellas Realtor Organization
4590 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, FL

The Angels were thrilled to host our 11th Annual Child Advocacy Expo. Not only is this a networking opportunity for our community partners, but it is an opportunity to gain experience about all the resources we have in our community that are making a difference in the lives of the children and families we advocate for 24/7.

We had a special guest speaker, Shevaun Harris who is the Secretary of the Department of Children and Families, and introducing our new lead agency, Family Support Systems of North Florida. Many did want to miss this opportunity to gain experience about the changes in the child welfare system and the importance of our community partners being part of the solution. It takes each of us to work as a TEAM to have a greater impact on the children we advocate for.

The vision of this event continues to be focused on bringing together local agencies, charities and organizations involved in the child welfare system. It will be a morning of networking and information sharing. It is our hope to have all major players involved in this event which is why we are specifically requesting your participation. The Angels feel strongly about collaborating our efforts and working as a TEAM to accomplish more for the children we advocate for. Together we can truly be effective in their lives.

THE CHILD ADVOCACY EXPO WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!

The Annual Child Advocacy Expo this past Thursday was the BEST EVER!. The room was filled to its capacity with so many amazing agencies, their leaders and individuals from other organizations, businesses and foundations to meet and greet our community leaders. We had three amazing women who spoke about the direction of children and youth in the child welfare system who shares their vision on how we move forward to make a difference in the lives of these children and their families. There was so much energy in the room that you could feel it as soon as you walked through the doors. Over 50 agencies attended and we had a wait list of several more. Special thanks to our speakers, Secretary Shevaun Harris, Department of Children & Families, Kelly Johnson, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, CPI Division, Jenn Petion, Chief Executive Officer, Family Support Services North Florida who is now representing FSS Suncoast. For everyone who participated in this networking opportunity, thank you so much.

Special thanks to the Pinellas Realtor Organization for allowing us to use their beautiful space, and their amazing staff who made us feel so welcome! Thank you to my wonderful Angels who once again created an amazing event “Angel Style”.

Thank you to our Community Leaders for all you do to advocate for the children and youth in the child welfare system by giving them HOPE for a better tomorrow.

Thank You – Sandy Kearney, Founder/President

More About Secretary Shevaun Harris

Shevaun Harris joined the Department of Children and Families as the Secretary in February 2021 after a two-decade career at the Agency for Health Care Administration. Prior to joining DCF, Secretary Harris served as Acting Secretary at the Agency for Health Care Administration where she was responsible for administering the Florida Medicaid program and regulating over 40,000 licensed health care facilities in the state. She also led the Agency’s COVID-19 efforts in partnership with other state agencies and essential health care providers. Secretary Harris has held positions in the health and human services field, providing services to children and adults diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and children receiving services in an inpatient psychiatric program. During her tenure at the AHCA, Secretary Harris led the development of all Medicaid policies and implementation of the agency’s quality improvement initiatives with particular focus on perinatal and behavioral health outcomes. She joined DCF in early 2021 and has made holistic care for families a priority by strategically working to integrate systems and services. She has joined First Lady Casey DeSantis in launching Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity, a personalized approach to helping families overcome barriers to self-sufficiency through community collaboration. Secretary Harris continues to drive innovative prevention and early intervention efforts through the work of the Department and Community Partners.