The Florida Coalition for Children Foundation and the FCC Learning Community held their annual conference on July 21-23 at the Marriott Sawgrass Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, with more than 600 in attendance.
Twenty-five workshops and a keynote address by Jack Brewer, a nationally known advocate for the role of fatherhood in children’s lives, took place over the two-and-a-half-day event. The agenda was chosen with the intent to inspire and elevate conversations about innovating measurable improvements for child and family well-being in Florida.
Opening the plenary session was an inspirational address by Brewer of the Brewer Foundation, an ordained minister with expertise in the fields of global economic development, sports and finance through his roles as a successful entrepreneur, news contributor and humanitarian who has been appointed by the White House to the U.S. Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys.
The 2024 educational roster was created from a list of national experts and Florida-centered leaders in community-based care. Topics from the 25 session choices ranged from national movements like Thriving Families Safer Children to human services workforce innovation studies, to the important engagement of impacted youth and parent/caregivers with lived expertise.
Community Café-style strategy sessions and discussion panels also took place among invited members of the child welfare field; Florida Legislators, state university representatives and other dignitaries were in attendance.
Ten individuals were recognized for excellence in the 2024 Awards Program, with St. Augustine Youth Services personnel receiving a record number this year.
The recipients are 2024 Collective Impact Leadership Award: Schuyler Siefker, executive director, St. Augustine Youth Services; 2024 Nurturing Well-being Award: Moraima Montano-Cruz, professional house parent, St. Augustine Youth Services; 2024 Parent/Caregiver with Lived Experience Leadership Award: Fawn Collins, peer advocate, St. Augustine Youth Services; 2024 Foster and/or Adoptive Parents of the Year Award: Kathryn and Gilbert Melendez, foster parents, Children's Network of Hillsborough County and Camelot Community Care; 2024 Youth/Young Adult Leadership Award: Dylan Chandler, young adult leader, Camelot Community Care; 2024 Innovator of the Year: Mike Watkins, president and CEO, Northwest Florida Health Network; 2024 Champion for Children: T. Delores Dunn, CEO/president, Center for Family and Child Enrichment; 2024 FCC Foundation Chair Award: Tiffany DaSilva, chair, FCC System Operations Committee and vice president, Florida Programs, Neighbor to Family, Inc.; the FCC Chairman’s Award: Karin Flositz, CEO, Community Partnership for Children; and the 2024 FCC President’s Award: Julie Smythe, vice president, Child Welfare Specialty Plan, Sunshine Health.
The 2024 Conference theme of “Rise and Thrive” was chosen as a means to provide attendees with tools for increased wellness in both their professional and personal lives. A guided meditation for all attendees set the tone during the opening session, yoga and golf activities were highlighted, and examples of positive affirmations were found throughout the event to support FCC Members’ and guests’ well-being.
For more details about the 2024 FCC Conference, contact Conference@flchildren.org.
