Join us in celebrating the families who have stepped up to foster, spreading awareness, learn about becoming a foster parent yourself. Every child deserves a loving, supportive environment to grow and thrive in.
The power of co-parenting is when foster and biological parents work together to nurture, guide and love a child throughout their journey of life. There is no such thing as "too many" caring adults in a child's life.
In the last ten[+] years, Heartland for Children has established strong community partnerships and effective programs that have positively impacted our tri-county area. Under their leadership, child abuse has decreased. This change has been a result of strong commitment to prevention and evidence based programs. Additionally, their focus on trauma focused care has made a tremendous impact on children and families that have experienced abuse, neglect, and out of home placements. Heartland for Children is the model of community based care for our state.
As a social worker who was involved in the transition to this model of care in our state, I fully support and endorse their continued work and leadership in Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties.
Mary Jo Plews - Former Executive Director, Healthy Start Coalition