President/CEO
Ask Dave
The children and families we serve are as complex as they are unique. Few require only one service; most need a myriad to help overcome the challenges that brought them into our care. At CHS, we understand the special circumstances each child, parent or caregiver faces, and our caring professionals tirelessly devote their days to ensure every single person counting on us – from infants to grandparents – receives the services he or she deserves.
Never easy, our efforts are often hampered further by complexities of \“the system\” that seem to be grudgingly accepted by most child welfare organizations. It takes tremendous diligence to push through the barriers that stand between our clients and the resources they so desperately need. Though we’ve learned to navigate complicated bureaucracies and access various funding silos, we still have a long way to go. That’s where our advocacy agenda comes into play.
Ultimately, we’d like to see a change in funding streams to address multiple challenges facing most struggling families. Presently funding is built around individual issues such as homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence and unemployment, making access to resources difficult for trained professionals and virtually impossible for inexperienced individuals. Our long-range goal is to improve the way society cares for our vulnerable children and families by affecting systemic change.
But as Florida endures a tough financial climate, we recognize that maintaining current funding levels is the most pressing challenge today. Though we will not lose sight of the larger goal to ultimately ensure that more children are safe, healthy and prepared for life, we’re presently working on many levels to keep children’s issues in the forefront of the legislative arena.
Through our increased statewide advocacy efforts, we are raising the visibility of CHS and telling the stories of children and families whose lives we’ve changed. Time and time again, our clients have persevered through tough times, risen above challenges and thrived to become productive and successful. They are resilient and inspirational. They just need someone to care…they need an opportunity.
Thank you for caring and for enabling us to create opportunities. With community support and resources, we find more loving families, prepare more teens for independence, teach more mothers how to care for babies. Our compassionate volunteers and dedicated staff share an unwavering commitment to improve the system. Like you, each has a heart and a passion to serve children and families. I thank you for sharing in our success, for opening your heart to the young ones we serve.
President/CEO
