About Us

Mission Statement

Improving safety, permanency, and well-being for all children in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties.

Vision Statement

To eliminate child abuse and neglect in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties.      

Values:

Heartland for Children will:

  • promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) for all
  • approach relationships with respect, integrity and transparency
  • utilize innovation and excellence to promote best practices
  • approach work and problem solving with creativity and flexibility
  • utilize resourcefulness, accountability and efficiency 

Heartland for Children

Heartland for Children is a community-based care lead agency contracted with the Department of Children and Families. In March 2003, Heartland for Children was selected as the lead agency for Community Based Care in Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties. As the lead agency, Heartland for Children assumed the responsibilities for System Administration of a comprehensive child welfare service provider network that included protective services, foster care, adoptions, independent living, prevention, family preservation, family support services and other related services. Heartland for Children has taken the child welfare system in Circuit 10 to a performance focused and results oriented system.

Heartland for Children is an engaged, fully mature, system administrator. We offer strong leadership and partnership with diverse agencies across Florida. We are committed to safety, quality, consistency, and accountability in everything we do. HFC’s primary role in the system of care is not to provide direct services, but rather to serve as a system administrator dedicated to building an integrated network of services with traditional and non-traditional providers and supports. This network has the capacity to provide a comprehensive array of culturally competent services to children and families in both rural and urban areas. As a system administrator, Heartland for Children manages resources effectively and efficiently to ensure positive outcomes for children and families.

As the existing lead agency, we have a proven track record in this community. We have an in-depth understanding of the vast array of existing community resources, as well as, the strengths and challenges in each of our communities. Going forward, we will continue to build on our strong relationships and past experiences, continuously learning from our mistakes and successes and relentlessly pursuing excellence.

 

Executive Management Team

Executive Management Team
Meet Heartland for Children's Executive Management Team!

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Meet our Board of Directors

2024 Upcoming Board Meetings

  • January 24, 2024

  • February 28, 2024

  • March 27, 2024

  • April 24, 2024

  • May 22, 2024

  • June 26, 2024

  • July: NO MEETING

  • August 28, 2024

  • September 25, 2024

  • October 23, 2024

  • November 20, 2024

  • December: NO MEETING

All board meetings take place at Heartland for Children from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm and are open to the public.  For more information, call (863) 519-8900 x 200.

Our Team

Our Team

Download the Heartland for Children Staff Directory.

Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Interpreter Services for the Hearing-Impaired

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you are entitled to interpreter services at no cost to you. Services may be accessed through Florida Relay by dialing 711 or calling toll free:

  • (800) 955-8770 (Voice)
  • (800) 955-8771 (TTY)
  • (877) 955-8773 (Spanish)
  • (877) 955-8707 (French Creole)

Please inform the following if services are needed:

  • Heartland for Children's Point of Contact, Kristen Embree, (863) 519-8900 ext 256
  • Jamie Horne, DCF Human Resource Analyst, (850)-717-4567

Any person who believes that he/she has been discriminated or retaliated against in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and/or the American Disabilities Act of 1990 may file a complaint in writing or by calling:

Office of Civil Rights 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Building 1, Room 110, Tallahassee, FL 32399; (850) 487-1901 (Voice); (850) 922-9220 (TTY)

Case Management Organization Staff Turnover Data

Case Management Organization Staff Turnover Data

Caseload, Turnover, Home Visits, Placement, Recruitment, Services, and Conversions
Heartland For Children includes the most recent data available for the elements identified below in the weekly performance and quality improvement report published on this webpage under the Quality Improvement & Performance link for all of its subcontracted case management organizations:

  • Average Caseload of Case Managers - located in packet titled "Caseload Census Information"
  • Turnover Rates for Case Managers/Supervisors - located in packet titled "Case Management Organization Turnover" (Note: Rolling 12 month turnover data is also included on his webpage under the Case Management Organization Staff Turnover Data link)
  • Percentage of Home Visits Completed - located in packet titled "Scorecard Measure 4 - Children Seen Every 30 Days"
  • The Number of Unlicensed Placements located in packet titled “Number of Children in Out of Home Care by Placement Type”
  • Percentages and Trends for Foster Parent and Group Home Recruitment located in packet titled “Foster Parent/Group Home Recruitment”
  • The percentage of families being served through family Support services. in-home services, and out-of-home services for the 12 previous monthslocated in packet titled “Number of Children Active by Service Type”
  • The percentage of cases that were converted from non-judicial to judicial for the previous monthlocated in packet titled “Children Entering Out of Home Care”

Children’s Legal Services Staffing Rates are posted by the State of Florida Department of Children and Families at the link below:

Quality Improvement & Performance

Quality Improvement & Performance

In accordance with Chapter 409.988 (1)(k) Florida Statutes, Heartland For Children includes the most recent data available for the elements identified below in the weekly performance and quality improvement report published on this webpage for all of its subcontracted case management organizations:?

System of Care Performance & Feedback

System of Care Performance & Feedback

2023 Surveys

2019 Surveys

 

Joining HFC’s Provider Network

Joining HFC’s Provider Network

P & P: Executive - Human Resources

P & P: Executive - Human Resources

To request a copy of the following policies & procedures, email info@heartlandforchildren.org.

POLICY # POLICY NAME
1-000 Employee Handbook
1-001 Privacy – Personnel Records
1-002 Drug Free Workplace
1-003 Internships
1-004 Overtime
1-005 Position Descriptions
1-006 Employee Fraud
1-007 Workplace Violence
1-008 Employee Separation
1-009 Employee Exit Interviews
1-010 Harassment
1-011 No Solicitation/Distribution
1-012 Personnel Information -New Employees
1-013 Employee’s Children at Workplace
1-014 Membership in Professional Organizations/ Conventions & Professional Meetings
1-015 Volunteer Services
1-016 Staff Tuition Assistance
1-017 Non-Retribution/Non-Retaliation
1-018 Recruitment & Interviewing
1-019 Non-discrimination in Employment
1-020 Performance Management
1-021 Background Screening 
1-022 Motor Vehicle Reports
1-023 Worker’s Compensation
1-024 Transitional Work Program
1-025 On-Call/Call Back
1-026 Ethical Practice
1-027 Disciplinary Guidelines
1-028 Sharing Concerns/Suggestions (Employee Grievance)
1-029 Employees Involved in Reports of Abuse, Neglect, Abandonment or Exploitation
1-030 Secondary Employment/Internships
1-031 Health and Wellness

P & P: Finance

P & P: Finance

To request a copy of the following policies & procedures, email info@heartlandforchildren.org.

POLICY # POLICY NAME
2-000 Reconciliation of Bank Accounts and Petty Cash
2-001 Journal Entries
2-002 Budget Preparation
2-003 Budget Monitoring
2-004 Client Trust
2-005 Capital Assets
2-006 Record Retention of Financial Records
2-007 Cost Allocation Plan – Creation
2-008 Cost Allocation
2-009 Month End Closing
2-010 Staff Travel
2-011 On-Site Audits by Government Funding Sources
2-012 Credit Card Authorization/Usage
2-013 Purchasing and Accounts Payable Authorization
2-014 Resource Management for Authorizing Services
2-015 Gift Card Usage
2-100 Invoice Preparation
2-101 Interest Earned on Advance or Estimated Payments
2-102 Cash Receipts
2-103 Undeposited Cash/Checks
2-104 Internal Control
2-200 Request for Payments
2-201 Signature Authority
2-202 Payments
2-203 Terms, Discounts and Late Fees
2-204 Accounts Payable Process
2-205 Entering Invoices into Oracle for Payment
2-206 Void Check Processing
2-207 Reconcile Payments
2-208 Petty Cash
2-209 Accounts Payable Accruals
2-300 Payroll Department Security
2-301 Payroll Processing
2-302 Garnishments
2-303 Stop Payments
2-304 Payroll Accruals
2-305 Employee Terminations
2-306 Payroll Direct Deposits

P & P: Quality & Performance - Training

P & P:  Quality & Performance - Training

To request a copy of the following policies & procedures, email info@heartlandforchildren.org.

POLICY # POLICY NAME
3-100 Child Protection Professional Training Program and Certification
3-102 Continuing Professional Development for Case Management Organizations
3-103 New Employee Orientation Training
3-104 Continuing Professional Development for HFC Personnell
3-105 Standards for HFC Staff Supervision
4-204 Child Passenger Safety

P & P: Quality & Performance - Quality & Contract Management

P & P: Quality & Performance - Quality & Contract Management
POLICY # POLICY NAME
3-218 Email Systems
3-219 Data Transport Encryption
3-300 Grievance
3-301 Incident Reporting
3-302                   Performance and Quality Improvement
3-303 Case & Quality Service Reviews
3-304 Satisfaction Surveys
3-305 Exit Interviews with Children in a Licensed Out of Home Care Placement
3-306 Protection of Rights & Ethical Obligations
3-307 Research Protections for Human Subjects
3-308 Prevention, Reporting and Service to Missing Children
3-309 Ethical Practice for Stakeholders
3-500 Contract Documents
3-501 Contract Invoicing
3-502 Contract Monitoring
3-503 Contract Procurement
3-504 Written Authorizations
3-505 Notification of Circuit 10 Group Home Placement Holds
3-506 Contracts for Research and Evaluation
3-507

Client Fees and Sliding Fee Scale

5-007 Human Trafficking

P & P: Quality & Performance - Information Systems Management

P & P:  Quality & Performance - Information Systems Management

To request a copy of the following policies & procedures, email info@heartlandforchildren.org.

POLICY # POLICY NAME
3-200 HIPAA Compliance-Client Records & Client Privacy
3-201 Closed Record Retention and Retrieval
3-202 Data System Integrity
3-203 Management of Client Files
3-204 Client Background Screening
3-205 Maintenance and Support of IT Equipment
3-206 Virus Prevention, Control, Reporting and Recovery
3-207 Disposal of Information Technology Equipment
3-208 Data Security – Access
3-209 Network Security
3-210 Computer Software 
3-211 Internet/E-mail Usage and E-mail Maintenance
3-212 Cell Phone Usage
3-213 Use of Portable Media Storage Devices
3-214 Information System Access Authorization & Password Policy
3-215 Computer Network Disaster Recovery
3-216

Confidentiality of Client Information

3-217 Data & Network Security - Audit Controls

P & P: Quality & Performance - Quality & Contract Management - Facilities

P & P:  Quality & Performance - Quality & Contract Management - Facilities

To request a copy of the following policies & procedures, email info@heartlandforchildren.org.

POLICY # POLICY NAME
3-600 Workplace Health and Safety
3-601 Operation and Maintenance of Agency Vehicles
3-602 Clean and Safe Working Environment
3-603 Disater Preparedness-Emergency Management Plan
3-604 Environmental Protection and Conservation
3-605 Issuance  Maintenace of Facility Keys

P&P: Quality & Performance - Front End Operations/Independent Living

P&P: Quality & Performance - Front End Operations/Independent Living

To request a copy of the following policies & procedures, email info@heartlandforchildren.org.

POLICY # POLICY NAME
5-006 Independent Living Transitional Services 
5-300 Diligent Search
5-301 Out of County Services/Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children 
5-302 Family Team Conferencing

P & P: Community Relations and Systems Integration

P & P: Community Relations and Systems Integration

To request a copy of the following policies & procedures, email info@heartlandforchildren.org.

POLICY # POLICY NAME
4-100 Fund Development
4-101 Public Information and Media
4-102 Logo Communications & Guidelines
4-200 Screening and Intake
4-201 Case Maintenance and Documentation
4-202 Management of Resource and Support Services
4-203 School Communication
4-300 Recruitment of Foster Homes
4-301 Initial Licensing of Foster Homes
4-302 License Transfer Procedure
4-303 Foster Parent Support
4-304 Foster Parent Retention
4-305 Employees as Foster and Adoptive Parents
4-306 Foster Care Referrals
4-307 Relicensing of Family Foster Homes 
4-308 Family Foster Home Waivers
4-309 State Institutional Claims for Damages Caused by Shelter or Foster Children
4-310 Behavior Support and Management

P & P: Operations

P & P: Operations

To request a copy of the following policies & procedures, email info@heartlandforchildren.org.

POLICY # POLICY NAME
5-000 Placement of Children
5-002 The Prevention and Placement of Child Victims and Aggressors Involved in Child on Child Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Seduction or Exploitation
5-003 Sharing Records with Children
5-008 Child Placement Agreements (formally  policy 5-002)
5-009

Medicaid Care Coordination & Responsibilities

5-100 Behavior Support and Management
5-101 Caregiver Support
5-102 Guardian Assistance Program
5-103 Initial Licensing
5-104 Licensing Transfer Procedure
5-105 Relicensing
5-200 Adoption Supports and Services
5-201 Recruitment and Evaluation of Adoptive Applicants 

Honors & Awards

Honors & Awards

2024

Heartland for Children has been selected as a recipient of a 2024 Impact Polk grant in the amount of $10,000 that will support "Creating Safety & Security for Children within the Child Welfare System". This project is being funded by the George W. Jenkins Fund within GiveWell Community Foundation.  

Marquina Butts Fisher, Transition Age Youth Services Program Manager was awarded the 2024 Selfless Love One Voice Impact Staff Champion

2023

Heartland for Children has been selected as a recipient of a 2023 Impact Polk grant in the amount of $10,000 that will support "Behavioral Health Supports and Interventions for Children." This project is being funded by the George W. Jenkins Fund within GiveWell Community Foundation. 

A special thank you to the Iron Horse Family Foundation for the $50,000 grant award to support capital improvements at our Heartland Youth Village. The Iron Horse Family Foundation is a Lakeland, FL based, private family foundation that is devoted to carrying on the legacy of David M. Clark. Iron Horse Family Foundation exists to improve the lives of children through initiatives, projects, and support of organizational missions that bolster children’s health and wellness. Iron Horse Family Foundation is an invitation-only grantor. 

A special thank you to the Lakeland Florida Stake Latter-Day Saints for donating $20,000 to support our young adults transitioning into their own housing. This donation will be used to purchase much needed household items. There was an additional in-kind donation of $5,000 to shop for a variety of commodities that includes dry food items and personal hygiene products. We appreciate your continued partnership!

2022

Heartland for Children has been selected as a recipient of a 2022 Impact Polk grant in the amount of $19,955 that will support "Creating Safety and Security for Children in the Child Welfare System." This project is being funded by the George W. Jenkins Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation. 

Crystal Lake Elementary was awarded certification as the first Community Partnership School in Polk County by the UCF Center for Community Schools in November of 2022.

2021

Heartland for Children has been selected as a recipient of a 2021 Impact Polk grant in the amount of $20,000 that will support "Respite Services for Special Needs Children." This project is being funded by the George W. Jenkins Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation. 

Heartland for Children was awarded a 4 year grant through the Florida Blue Foundation in the amount of $399,606. HFC will partner with Central Florida Health Care to improve the well-being and reseiliency in children and families through trauma informed care and a trauma informed response.

2020

We are grateful to be a recipient of the 2020 Impact Polk grant in the amount of $18,950.00 for our project “Caregiver Support Program for Children in Foster Care.” This project is funded through this grant from the George W. Jenkins Foundation, Inc. within the GiveWell Community Foundation.

We are so grateful to be the recipient of a $30,000 grant from the George Jenkins Foundation, Inc. in order to purchase 50 Chromebooks and 250 Pack & Plays for our children and teens in care.

2019

Adoption Excellence Award
Presented by Children's Bureau and the Department of Health and Human Services

Sustaining Partnership Award
Presented by Champion for Children Foundation

2018

In May 2018, Heartland for Children was awarded $5,000 though Impact Polk towards the Community Partnership School Needs Assessment. The grant was made possible by the George W. Jenkins Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation.

Dyer Difference Award - In recognition of outstanding achievements and tireless efforts in making our community a better place to live.
Presented by Dyer Chevrolet & Dyer Kia, Lake Wales

Partners in Caring Award
Presented by Florida State Foster & Adoptive Parent Association

Partnership Legacy Award
Presented by Once Church One Child

2017 

Re-accreditation for meeting the highest National standards for professional performance
Council on Accreditation

American Advertising Awards Silver ADDY Award
Presented by American Advertising Federation

Non-Profit of Excellence Award
Presented by Lakeland Chamber of Commerce

2012 

Re-accreditation for meeting the highest National standards for professional performance
Council on Accreditation

2010

Not-For-Profit Community Action Organization of the Year
Presented by the Bartow Committee of 100

Community Champion for safely reducing the number of children in foster care in the 10th Circuit of Florida
Presented by the Florida Department of Children & Families

2007 & 2008

Recognition of Outstanding Support of Florida's Foster Families
Presented by the Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association

2006

Creative Services Excellence
Presented by Brighthouse

2005

Recognized as one of Polk County's Best Places to Work
Presented by CareerSource Polk (formerly PolkWorks)

2003 - 2004

Achievement Award - Permanency Through Adoption
Presented by the Florida Department of Children & Families

Heartland Thanks

Heartland Thanks

This is where Heartland can recognize all the organizations that have donated to, sponsored, or provided grants for Heartland programs.


United Way of Central Florida

Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation

HOBBS Foundation

George Jenkins Foundation

George W. Jenkins Foundation within the GiveWell  Community Foundation

Embrace Families Foundation

LOBO Ranch

Echo Ministries

Foster Flock

Florida 111 Project

Caring Hearts Charities

Christmas Angels

Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial

Florida Southern-Kappa Delta’s

Nextran Truck Centers

Website Privacy Policy

Website Privacy Policy

Download our Website Privacty Policy here

Important Forms

Important Forms

Provider Input Form

Compliance Documents

Compliance Documents

Budget and Compensation
Heartland for Children’s current FY Budget and Executive Compensation Report as required by 409.988 F.S. are listed below:
- Compensation Report
- Budget

Compliance Data required by Chapter 409.988 (k) F.S.:

Caseload, Turnover, Home Visits, Placement, Recruitment, Services, and Conversions
Heartland For Children includes the most recent data available for the elements identified below in the weekly performance and quality improvement report published on this webpage under the Quality Improvement & Performance link for all of its subcontracted case management organizations:

  • Average Caseload of Case Managers - located in packet titled "Caseload Census Information"
  • Turnover Rates for Case Managers/Supervisors - located in packet titled "Case Management Organization Turnover" (Note: Rolling 12 month turnover data is also included on his webpage under the Case Management Organization Staff Turnover Data link)
  • Percentage of Home Visits Completed - located in packet titled "Scorecard Measure 4 - Children Seen Every 30 Days"
  • The Number of Unlicensed Placements – located in packet titled “Number of Children in Out of Home Care by Placement Type”
  • Percentages and Trends for Foster Parent and Group Home Recruitment – located in packet titled “Foster Parent/Group Home Recruitment”
  • The percentage of families being served through Family Support Services (in-home and out-of-home services) for the 12 previous months – located in packet titled “Number of Children Active by Service Type”
  • The percentage of cases that were converted from non-judicial to judicial for the previous month – located in packet titled “Children Entering Out of Home Care”

Children’s Legal Services Staffing Rates are posted by the State of Florida Department of Children and Families at this link.

Performance on Outcome Measures
Performance on outcome measures pursuant to Florida Statute 409.988 is provided for the previous 12 months in the following document titled 409.988 and 409.986 Child Protection and Child Welfare Outcomes.  Additional outcomes and performance measure information can be found at www.heartlandforchildren.org on the About Us page under the Quality Improvement & Performance link.

409.988 and 409.986 Child Protection and Child Welfare Outcomes

Current policies related to 2023 SB 664:

Customer Service Training Resources

Customer Service Training Resources

- Customer Service Training PowerPoint