Meet Jennifer & Beth Cayson, whose hearts know no limits! With 7 children in their home—four adopted and three foster children—they’ve created a loving, stable, and nurturing environment for kids of all backgrounds and needs. And when asked if they could take in another child? Their answer was "YES!"
Fostering is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, but it’s also a journey that requires patience, commitment, and an open heart. If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, here are a few key pieces of advice that we’ve learned along the way:
Laurynn Vaughn has opened her heart and home to many children, including sibling groups, ensuring they stay together rather than being separated in the foster system. Today, she is a devoted mother to seven children, four of whom are foster siblings. Her journey began with two siblings, but when the opportunity arose to keep two more together, she didn’t hesitate.
It's Foster Family Appreciation Week! This week, we celebrate the incredible individuals who open their hearts and homes to children in need. Today, we’re highlighting the remarkable Ms. Myles, a recently licensed foster caregiver whose dedication and love for children is truly inspiring.
Meet Eli and Bradley Sandoval, a newly licensed foster family making an incredible difference! Their first foster placement has been nothing short of amazing, and now they’re on the path to adoption for 11-year-old J, a resilient young boy who has finally found the love and stability he deserves. From day one, Eli and Bradley have been unwavering in their dedication—advocating for J's education, ensuring he receives the services he needs, and most importantly, creating a safe and nurturing home where he can heal and thrive.
Parker’s journey as a foster parent has been one of love, mentorship, and lasting impact. She not only fostered but co-parented and mentored the biological parents of her foster daughter—remaining a part of their lives even after reunification.
At Heartland for Children, we are committed to celebrating and supporting our foster families, not just this week but every day. Their kindness, patience, and love truly make a difference in the lives of children and youth in our community
For 20 years, Heartland for Children has been impacting the lives of children & families in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties. We are thrilled to share the latest updates and heartwarming stories from the good work being done to serve and support children and families in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties.
This year's 20th Annual Rudolph Round-Up Toy Drive was a heartwarming success thanks to YOU! Together, we brightened the holidays for over 1,653 children in foster care across Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties. From every gift to every moment of your time, you made spirits shine brighter than ever. Check out this video recap of the joy and love you brought to life – we couldn’t have done it without our incredible community.
Did you know Florida ranks #3 in states with the most human trafficking cases? In 2024, there were 738 confirmed cases of human trafficking in our state. Together, we can make a difference!
We had an unforgettable day for 13 families and 22 amazing kids! We were thrilled to have partnered with LEGOLAND Florida and Florida's 10th Judicial Circuit to finalize these adoptions in a way that was as fun and special as the families themselves! After the emotional and joyous adoption ceremony, the families got to celebrate by spending the day together at LEGOLAND Florida, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Today, we're thrilled to honor Reginald Colston, our dedicated Fatherhood Engagement Specialist, for his incredible work as a Reunification Champion! Reginald's commitment and support have been nothing short of amazing, especially in his work with Mr. Terrence Smith. Read more.
For 20 years, Heartland for Children has been impacting the lives of children & families in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties. We are thrilled to share the latest updates and heartwarming stories from the good work being done to serve and support children and families in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties.
In our Fall Quarterly Newsletter, you'll find:
- Impact Highlights from FY 2023-2024
- Inspiring success stories
- Upcoming events
- Ways YOU can get involved
- Helpful Resources
To subscribe to our email list, click here.
Congratulations to Jack and the Scott Family on your Adoption Day! You can't help but have happy tears after reading this letter!
Gov. Desantis signs HB1083 to update Florida Adoption processes and offer more safeguards and incentives.
June is National Reunification Month and we're celebrating the resilience and love of people, like Brooke, an amazing, local mom, who overcame the battle of addiction and began her journey to healing for herself and her family.
June is National Reunification Month, a time to celebrate and raise awareness about the importance of reuniting children with their biological families whenever it is safe and possible.
Over 15 years ago, the Prestridge Family started their foster care journey. Barbara shares her inspiration, "I wanted to make a difference in each life. A stable home where [children] can feel safe and loved at all times." Read about their journey.
Just 3 years ago, the Goddard family began their foster care journey. Not only have Tiffany and Jason provided a safe and loving home for the children in their care, but they have also fostered a strong, supportive relationship with the biological family.
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.
Today, was Adoption Day for 3 teens and their forever family! This is why we do what we do every day.
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.
Step right up and run for child abuse prevention at Loop the Lake Carnival Run! This 5K is hosted by Florida Southern College's Kappa Delta's to benefit Prevent Child Abuse America and Heartland for Children. Whether you run, skip or walk, this is going to be a fun evening for the entire family.
Foster families open their heart + home to love on our children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect. Let's show them love and appreciation this Valentine's Day!
Congratulations to Maria Gutierrez, one of our Transition Age Youth Mentors, for last week, hitting her 1-Year Work Anniversary! Maria herself is a former foster youth and now uses her experiences to help encourage and mentor youth.
Meet the Hargrove Family! Five years ago, Levi and Maria began their foster care journey and they have fostered 10 children and are known as champions for teens. Levi is a High School Economics Teacher, Football and Wrestling Coach for Polk County Public Schools.
During November, we celebrate National Adoption Month and on November 29th we gathered with our Adoptions Teams, case management, families and friends to celebrate 9 families' Adoption Day! The Polk County Courthouse turned into a place full of celebration as we celebrated children leaving foster care and joining their forever families. Congratulations everyone!
Justin & Jon started their foster care journey only wanting to foster one child at a time. Shortly after taking their first placement, they learned that there was a non-verbal autistic child who needed a home and they rose to the challenge, purchased bunk beds, and took the child in their home.
Since becoming a foster caregiver, Rosemund Baptiste has been passionate about keeping siblings together and has fostered several sets of siblings and helped them to transition back home with family. To this day, she remains in contact with each child that has left her home and she offers support to the birth family.
As we're continuing to celebrate Foster Family Appreciation Week, we want to introduce you to the Newell family! When Brian and Danielle heard that there was a young sibling group of 3 that needed a home they quickly rose to the occasion by taking children outside of their normal age range to ensure that the siblings could remain together. They quickly obtained an extra bed and bought clothing and toys for the three siblings.
Meet the Hargrove family! Levi and Maria are passionate about caring for teens. They have helped many foster youth transition into adulthood and maintain contact with all of the teens that leave their home. Their teens know that they can always contact Levi and Maria for guidance and support and that their home is always open to them.
There are countless benefits to fostering or adopting a teen but here are just 8.
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.
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.
Joseph and Rachel Lowe have been licensed for less than a year and within their first week of fostering they received their first placement of twin toddlers. From the very beginning they made contact with the children’s birth family to set up communication and visitation. They treat the boys as if they are their own and they take them with them on all of their family vacations.
Natalie started her fostering journey back in March 2021. She shares, "My reason for fostering goes back to being raised by a single, wheelchair bound warrior of a mother. She could have given me up, but she raised me from that chair very well. I grew up with her fostering relationships on my behalf to make sure all of my needs were met."
In 2019, the Buzzella Family started their foster care journey and they have been instrumental in strengthening the bonds of a separated sibling group.
It's Reunification Month, we're celebrating the efforts of our child welfare professionals, foster families and community members that help support the reunification of families.
Meet the Shaeffer Family who started their foster care journey this year! The Shaeffer's have taken in two 4-year old's with special needs, which made them very difficult to place. Both kids required to have many specialist appointments in which Michelle initiated and scheduled. Michelle has been open to all help to stabilize these children in her home. They are going through the enhanced foster care classes because they desire to learn more on how to help the children in their home. The Shaeffer's are a great family and amazing advocates for our kids in care!
Meet Elivanesa Calderon who was licensed just 4 months ago and received her very first placement two days after being licensed. She jumped right in like a pro and researched daycares, took the siblings to get the necessary immunizations to start daycare and immediately reached out to the birth parents to set up visitation. She put together a last minute birthday party for one of the children whose birthday was week after being placed with her. Elivanesa has such a big heart for children and she advocates for their needs every day.
We have exciting news! Heartland for Children has launched our Let’s Talk About It Podcast where we provide education and resources for family matters in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties!
Meet Jaime and Paul Stewart! In 2016, they began their foster journey by becoming a medical foster home. This awesome family advocate for their children, co-parented, taken the children to all of their medical appointments and have also adopted 3 of their kids!
Meet the Maxey Family! Four years ago, Emily and Keith started their foster care journey. This family has welcomed teens in their family and the teens LOVE them as their parents! This amazing couple ensures that the kids get all that they need so they can be successful now and later in life!
Meet Ms. Barbara Wade! Take a moment a read her story and what inspired her to become a foster parent.
About 7 years ago, the Pierson Family began their fostering journey to give back to the community and help kids in need! They are actively advocating for their kids, positively impacting the system of care, mentoring and continuing to support the children and their families after they've been reunified!
With May being Foster Care Awareness Month, we’re bringing families in our community together to help us raise awareness for foster care all month! We’re partnering with Family First and their programs, All Pro Dad and iMOM to participate in a 5K for Foster Kids, and we want to invite your family to participate!
There’s a desperate need for teen foster families. Unfortunately, many people feel like teens in foster care are a “bigger challenge” than younger kids. Due to many stereotypes and assumptions, people are more willing to take in younger kids, which leads to heartbreaking stories of teens who have no place to go, who get stuck in the system. Learn about what they want you to know.
During the month of March, National Social Work Professionals Month is celebrated to recognize the contributions of social work professionals in our communities! In a time where so many people are struggling, the time is right for social work to help bridge the gaps to strengthen individuals and families. Thank you to all of our Social Work Professionals who continue to show up every day to solve social issues and improve individual lives!
Run for FSC Kappa Delta's 15th Annual Loop the Lake 5K Glow Run to benefit child abuse prevention efforts through Heartland for Children and Prevent Child Abuse America! Register Now!
It's Foster Family Appreciation Week! In Florida, the second week in February is dedicated to celebrating our state’s foster families who provide safe and loving homes for children + teens who have experienced abuse and neglect. Foster families are changing the lives of our most vulnerable children and making a difference in their communities! THANK YOU to all of our foster families for all you do for children & families!
We're excited to share stories like this one from Monica Stevens, one of our medical foster caregivers, on how the generous donations from Rudolph Champions made an impact in the lives of the foster children in their care through Rudolph Round-Up!
We invite you to join Heartland for Children in our 17th Annual Rudolph Round-Up Holiday Toy Drive. With your help, our goal is to help make incredible holiday memories for over 1,500 local children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect.
This weekend, LoBo Ranch, one of our community partners, rounded-up volunteers to serve 23 kiddos and their 12 caregivers through their Ranch Recharge Program.
So you've been considering fostering? Here are 4 Steps to Become a Foster Parent!
The Prestridge Family has started their foster care journey about 8 years ago and they have fostered about 100 children! Read their story here.
There is no doubt that we live in a community that cares! This past Saturday, our community partner,
LoBo Ranch, hosted a Ranch Recharge for foster families!
Rachel and Sean have been major supporters of uniting sibling groups and co-parenting with the biological families of their kids. Read more about their story.
Meet the Haller Family! One of our foster families who are always willing to take in sibling groups and teens – our greatest need! Read more about their story.
Meet the Sims Family! For over 13 years, Violet and Ronald have opened their heart and home to youth in their community and have even adopted 6 of their children. The Sims do an excellent job being a support to the children in their care and their families. Their partnership with the children's parents and families have led to successful reunifications and they still stay in touch and visit to this day.
Help us raise awareness for foster care all month! We’re partnering with All Pro Dad, iMOM and families across our community through the 1K for 1Kid campaign! Whether it’s biking, running, swimming, or walking, you can help us in our mission to find homes for children by participating in a 1K activity of your choice between May 21-31.
Ashley & Kelly began their foster care journey back in 2017. Ashley shares, “We had 3 young biological children at home when we started our foster care journey. Kel and I had lots of conversations about how fostering would affect our family - we worried about how it might change our children. Be assured, foster care will change you. You cannot experience the things of foster care and stay the same. We have all become more compassionate and empathetic individuals.”
Meet the Hargroves, our Foster Family of the Month!
In 2018, Maria & Daniel began their foster care journey and decided that they only wanted to foster teens (our greatest need)! Since the beginning, they have been very involved in co-parenting, facilitating visits with bioparents and making sure the teens are able to stay connected with family. They champion and advocate for every teen that comes through their home, including the 15 and 16 year olds that are currently with them.
Kimberly Hernandez decided that she wanted to do something for children in our community who are less fortunate and contacted Heartland for Children about donating Easter baskets. She shared that she was originally going to put together 40 baskets but when she heard that there were over 1,500 kids in foster care she decided to do more and was able to connect with her friends and put together 110 Easter baskets for our kids in foster care.
It's Foster Family Appreciation Week! We have an amazing network of 250 foster families in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties and we are excited to highlight how they make a difference in the lives of our children & families every day!
It's Foster Family Appreciation Week! This week we are highlighting just a few of our 250 amazing foster families. Meet Dustin and Beth Ann Prickett.
Hey Parents & Caregivers!
We are excited to announce that we have launched our monthly Parent's Corner Newsletter. Once a month, subscribers will receive an email packed with helpful resources, safety info and parenting tips to strengthen you and your family.
SUBSCRIBE HERE and check out January's Parent's Corner.
What started as 3 families that were interested in becoming foster caregivers from Lakeland's Harvest Church has now developed into a ministry that meets the immediate needs of children being removed from their homes for abuse and neglect on a weekly basis. We love to see our community partners, like ECHO (Everyday Christians Helping Orphans) Ministries Florida, being highlighted for the amazing service they provide to our children and families! Thank you, ECHO for being a part of our community that cares!
Despite all of this year's challenges we saw our community rise up to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children and families. Let's take a trip down memory lane and remember all of the amazing things that happened this year!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Meet the Stanton Family! Check out their story on how our community has made a difference in their family through the Rudolph Round-Up Toy Drive!
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work
IN THIS EDITION:
- Jill Gellibert at CHS
- Amanda Followell, Niki Putsolka, Lisette Colon, Angela Findley at OHU
- Sherry Bickel, Lakesha Brathwaite, Emily Kue, Michelle O'Connor at Devereux
Rudolph Champions are needed to help make holiday memories for over 1,500 local children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect.
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
- Roger Vazquez, Monaya Crossen & Trina Stevenson at OHU
- Shane Bishop at CHS
- Minoo Khordehpaz, Michelle O'Conoor, Alfreda White, Maria Cartegena, Julie Bartle, Mariel Sepulveda, Roshonda Lofton, Mykira Johnson, Kathryn Marini, Lisa Pyles, Amensha Willix, Katelyn Davis, Karla Diaz, Shedlie Desraines, Candice Hailey, Rachelle Louis, Adrianna Williams-Rice, Tangela Coleman, Rodina Lynch, & Valderria Mitchell at Devereux
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
- Leticia Gilchrist, Krystal Garza, Becka Kampman,Tammy Cleveland, Shantel Lyons, Becky Distler, and Drake Sherwood at OHU
- Danielle Williams, Laura Civetta, Renee Cummings and Sherry Bickel at Devereux
- Fabiola Thelemaque, Michael Harris, at CHS
Heartland for Children celebrates #ReunificationMonth every June & Daniel is one of our parents who is a true success story. Now, he comes in & talks to prospective Foster Caregivers & new case managers in training. He tells his story to inspire & encourage not only bio parents eager to reunify with their kids, but also to Caregivers, urging them to not be afraid to work in unison with the bio parents & co-parent. VIDEO - https://vimeo.com/343733189
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
- Lora King, Danielle Meinke at OHU
- Alfreda White, Katelyn Davis, Rachelle Louis, Shedlie Desravines at Devereux
- Christina Ware at CHS
READ MORE...
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
- Austin Morgan, Nena Cizewski-Baird, Pam Brack, Gail Werley, Dorcas Statham-Walker, Kimberly Helmick, Brittany Pinkney, Tammy Cleveland, Pamela Brack, and Natasha Hardin at OHU
- Tyrica Morris, Stephanie Balmaceda, Shedlie Desravines, and Walner Pierrissaint at Devereux
- Anna Easley at CHS
READ MORE...
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
- Nicole Luebke at CHS
- Stephanie Balmaceda at Devereux
- Mamie Lumpkin at NTF
READ MORE...
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
-India Spence at Devereux
- Austin Morgan, Austin Morgan, Chenoa Baldwin, & Ed Ramey at One Hope United
-Todd Raines at Children's Home Society
- NTF Family Advocate, Shanique Outley
READ MORE...
Heartland for Children believes that all parents want to be good parents.
It is this foundational belief that fuels our work in establishing a Positive Culture Framework within the Communities that we serve. Part of this framework is a Prevention Portfolio highlighting the great child abuse prevention work already being done in our community, as well as some opportunities for new approaches and methods that can positively impact parenting practices and keep children safe. One such opportunity is a Positive Community Norms campaign.
Benefits of Adopting Florida's Children
Adoption provides unique opportunities to change children's lives and enrich the life of the adoptive parent or family that welcomes them in. Adopting one of Florida's children from foster care offers many special benefits
by: Bill Nunnally
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
-Karina Escalera of Devereux
-Danielle Meinke of One Hope United
-Ana Cruz of Neighbor to Family
-Cris Allphin of Gulf Coast
-more...
CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE...
The availability of quality foster and adoptive homes is an ever present challenge within child welfare. Historically, homes for teens and large sibling groups are even more difficult to recruit. There is an added challenge, currently, in that the number of new foster homes being licensed is outpaced by the numbers of children being removed from their homes. Removals are at a ten year high within Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties. Heartland for Children is committed to innovation in the approaches used to recruit and retain quality foster parents.
This is why my family chose to become a foster, and eventually adoptive family in Polk County, Florida. As a foster and adoptive brother, I have been allowed the opportunity to help shelter ten different children within our home over the past eight years. During this time I have been able to develop patience and empathy for those who have experienced great trauma. Since I was an only child for the first six years of my life, these experiences led me to share my space, toys, time, and even my family. With every child that was taken in, I felt it was my responsibility to make sure they didn't leave without knowing that there was someone who cared. I have helped prepare numerous meals, organize clothes, provide safety and fun at the park, entertainment at home and in the car, reading of books, bedtime prayers, and much more. Although some of my foster brothers and sisters stayed for only a short time, I believe that each day counts.
“Mom, are you coming?!” my youngest daughter wailed, “Come on! We’re ready to FREE it!” In order to understand what is taking place, let me rewind to about eight weeks ago.
It was a normal Sunday afternoon and the family was outside working in the yard like we do twice a month. As we were weeding the flower beds, our cat, Rasputin, appeared from around the corner, carrying something that was moving in his mouth. My daughters, knowing that the little creature was facing an untimely death, started to scream at Rasputin. Rasputin immediately dropped the creature from his mouth and ran the opposite direction. My youngest daughter had made it to the wiggling animal first and exclaimed “Oh Mama, it’s a baby bird!” As I approached, I could tell that the bird appeared to be in very bad shape. “Mama, you have to help the little guy!” Looking first at the little shivering mess of feathers, then at the two pleading faces before me, I caught myself saying ”Go get a towel and a box. We’ll take it to the ER vet down the road.”
Thanks to the generosity of all the donors who chose to be Rudolph Champions in 2015, contributing financially, purchasing items from children’s wish lists and/or sponsoring one of over 60 toy drives in our community, we were able to not only meet our goal, but exceed it!
“I could never foster a teenager”. I’ve heard it time and time again during my twenty two years working in child welfare. Why are people so afraid of teen agers? We were ALL teenagers at one point…is that why you don’t think you can do it, because you’re afraid of a child like yourself? (insert funny photo?) I have met some of THE most amazing teens during my career. These kids are earning athletic and academic scholarships to college, they excel in their high school sports and community clubs…but they couldn’t do this without a caring foster parent by their side to support them every step of the way.
Forming relationships and attachments with others is inevitable even among the most shy and isolated individuals. So long as one lives and interacts with others, a form of attachment or relationship is established. There are different types of relationships that the average person can associate with: parent to child, foster parent to foster child, grandparent to grandchild, and sibling to sibling, spouse to spouse relationship along with extended family relationships. There are also the romantic, friendship, colleague, and the roommate relationships. The list can go on and on. A relationship, simply put, is being related to or interrelated with another individual on some level.
Our journey first began long before September 2011; it began about 16 years ago with kinship care. We were contacted by the department and asked if we would consider taking in our nephews who were going to be removed from their home. My husband and I said yes. About two years later, there was a TPR hearing and the boys came up for adoption. Again, my husband and I said yes and adopted. After having previously being involved with the system through kinship care and adoption...and having two empty bedrooms (can’t have that!), we decided to take the leap and attend foster parent classes. We will soon celebrate our three-year anniversary as foster parents.
After nearly 10 years of being opposed to the idea of fostering, I finally decided to take the first step back in 2009 to learn more about the need and exactly what my commitment would be if I were to foster.
HEARTLAND FOR CHILDREN - [Foster Care Blog] -
Today, our foster parents are highly skilled volunteers that work in partnership with biological parents, case managers and other child welfare professionals to ensure that while the children are away from their parents, the parents still feel supported and connected to their children. Lori Wasson was licensed on October 18, 2011 for one child, but when she was asked if she could take two in order to keep sisters together, she quickly agreed. She was later told that they had two brothers who were also in care and she welcomed the idea of having all four siblings placed with her.
When Cebien Alty’s wife, Joy-Lynn, brought up the subject of becoming foster parents, as her biological mother had been during her adolescent years, his quick reply was a resounding “NO!" He wanted to focus on having children of their own and was quite honestly worried about the "type" of children in the foster care system.
HFC's commitment to building community partnerships has helped improve and provide quality services for the children and families in our community. The staff works with our school liaisons to ensure that our families receive the support that they need to care for our children.
Teresa Hall - Hardee County Schools