Blog Archives by Date Blog
Join us in congratulating our 15 newly certified child welfare professionals! These graduates just completed our 12-week Pre-Service Training to join the ranks of child welfare to protect and strengthen children and families in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties!
After years of struggling with the effects of trauma and cycles of addiction, Jennifer experienced having her children removed from her care. This moment was frightening and she shares, "I felt as if I was the worst mom ever and I gave up on life." Since no one in Jennifer's family was willing to take her kids in, they had no other option but to go into foster care and ended up in foster caregivers Darlene and Neil Rogers' home. The Rogers are amazing at co-parenting and providing support to the parents of the children in their care and become some of Jennifer's biggest supporters saying, "I believe in you and I know you can do it!"
"What inspires me to be a Foster Caregiver is that there are children, close to home that need a loving home to feel safe. I’m a teacher and I see the need everyday in my classroom. My husband and I want to make a difference in this world and no better way than to show them they are loved and cared for even when they feel like they have no one they will always have us and our families.
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Legal Officer, April Rolle's forum in which to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
- Tamora Boatwright at Lutheran Services Florida
- Markeisha Willis at One Hope United
- Jennifer Cortes at Children's Home Society
A BIG thank you to our long-standing Rudolph Champions Polk County HOG (Harley Owners Group) for helping us kick-off our Rudolph in July by rounding up over $500 worth of toys and making a generous financial donation for our children and teens in foster care! This fantastic group is already working on rounding up more toys to drop off in December!
Living in New York, Betzaida Vasquez just had experienced the loss of her husband and was now a single mom of five children. On top of it all, she was now homeless and for five months she and her children lived out of her car and went from shelter to shelter. Despite the challenges, Betzaida never gave up and continued push forward.
The 2022-2023 School Year is right around the corner! Here is a list of Back-to-School Bashes in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties.
Without conditions or reservations, I wholeheartedly endorse Heartland for Children as the Community Based Organization (CBC) serving abused and neglected children in Highlands, Hardee and Polk Counties.
The child welfare system has improved dramatically under the outstanding leadership of Heartland for Children. For nearly a decade, Heartland for Children has been delivering high-quality services to children and families in our communities. In fact, the system of care that was designed to protect child, our most precious resource, was not always responsive, nor highly respected, before Heartland for Children was selected as the first CBC, covering Highlands, Hardee and Polk counties.
Kevin Roberts - CEO & Founder, Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands County