Heartland for Children is recognizing professional case managers, family support workers, supervisors, Life Coaches, and other front line staff in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties by giving them the distinct title of “Frontline Heroes.” These heroes have been nominated for their outstanding work and for going above and beyond supporting children and families. They are extremely committed to improving the lives of the local children and families they are serving that have experienced trauma.
We are honored to introduce you to some of the individuals that are truly transforming lives!
Nicole Palmieri, Children's Home Society
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We'd like to introduce you to our latest Frontline Hero - Nicole Palmieri, Dependency Case Manager at Children's Home Society! Nicole is being nominated for her outstanding work and for going above and beyond supporting children and families.
Nicole owns her cases and provides case management as it was designed to be provided. She meets with her parents and is responsive to their needs and treats all of her parents, children and caregivers as though they are the only case she has and is responsive and follows up when needed. She asks questions to make sure that she is completing everything that is needed and shares in the joys and sorrows of her families. Thank you Nicole for always going above and beyond!
Joshua Peralta, Lutheran Services Florida
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We'd like to introduce you to our latest Frontline Hero - Josh Peralta - Transition Age Youth (TAYS) Life Coach for Lutheran Services Florida. On 04/18/2022, Josh began and since this time, he has done an awesome job juggling this role, stabilizing youth and his many weeks of training for the ARMY. He is always eager to assist our young adults and brainstorm ideas and solutions to help.
"There is nothing better than to see you reunify parents and kids with each other. There is nothing better than having a young adult come up to you and say, 'Thank you for what you've done!' I wouldn't care how much this job paid. I don't think I will leave this job until I have to."
India Shackelford, One Hope United
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We'd like to introduce you to our latest Frontline Hero - India Shackelford, Adoption Supervisor with One Hope United! India is being nominated for her outstanding work and for going above and beyond supporting children and families.
India shares, "I was surprised to be nominated but I'm grateful for the nomination. I am a true believer that when much is given, much is required. I work tremendously hard daily. This is what I really love to do, even when it's emotional and frustrating but I get up every morning and I do this because I love it!"
Christina Ware, Children's Home Society
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Frontline Hero | Christina Ware - Dependency Specialist at Children's Home Society. Christina was nominated by her leadership team as someone who exemplifies service to families.
Katherine Hiers, Children's Home Society
Frontline Hero | Katherine Hiers - Case Manager @ Children's Home Society. Katherine was nominated by her leadership team as someone who exemplifies service to families.
Alfreda White, Devereux
Frontline Hero | Alfreda White - Adoption Specialist at Devereux. Alfreda was nominated by her leadership team as someone who exemplifies service to families.
Krystal Garza, One Hope United
Frontline Hero | Krystal Garza - Case Manager @ One Hope United. Krystal was recognized by her leaders for her exceptional work.
Tameka Temple, Devereux
Frontline Hero | Tameka Temple - Case Manager @ Devereux. Tameka was recognized by her leaders for her exceptional work.
Elizabeth Parish, Children's Home Society
Frontline Hero | Elizabeth Parrish - Adoption Supervisor @ CHS
Elizabeth was recognized by her leaders for her exceptional work.
Jose Calderon, One Hope United
Michelle O'Connor, Devereux
Frontline Hero | Michelle O'Connor - Case Mgr @ Devereux Michelle was recognized by her leaders for her exceptional work.
Victor Sims, Children's Home Society
Frontline Hero | Victor Sims - Case Mgr @ Children's Home Society
Victor was recognized by his leaders for his exceptional work.
Lora King, One Hope United
Frontline Hero | Lora King - Case Mgr @ One Hope United Lora was recognized by her leaders for her exceptional work.
Harvey Simmons, Devereux
Harvey Simmons was chosen as a Frontline Hero by his supervisors for his exceptional work as a community Facilitator at Devereux.
Bonita Freeman, One Hope United
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Bonita Freeman, case manager at One Hope United was nominated by her leaders to be a Frontline Hero for her exceptional work with our children and families!
Congratulations and Thank You!
Maria Montoya, Gulf Coast
Frontline Hero | Maria Montoya - Case Mgr @ Gulf Coast
Maria was chosen by her leaders for her exceptional work.
Katherine Hiers, Children's Home Society
Katherine was chosen by her leaders as a Frontline Hero for her exceptional work! Way to go!
Karina Escalera, Devereux
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Karina was chosen by her leaders as a Frontline Hero for her exceptional work! Way to go!
Gail Werley, One Hope United
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Gail was nominated by her leaders to be honored as a Frontline Hero for her outstanding work!
Charity McGough, Gulf Coast
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Charity was nominated by her peers and honored as a Frontline Hero for her exceptional work! Congratulations Charity!
Hellanor Wilson, CHS
Hellanor was nominated by her peers and honored as a Frontline Hero for her exceptional work! Congratulations Hellanor!
Debra LaBeouf, Devereux
Debra was nominated by her peers and honored as a Frontline Hero for her exceptional work! Congratulations Debra!
Ashley Fay, One Hope United
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Ashley Fay, Case Manager at One Hope United was honored as a "Frontline Hero" for her exceptional work. Ashley was nominated by her leader, then recognized today in front of co-workers & peers. Thank you Ashley & congratulations!
Lakesha Brathwaite, Gulf Coast
Today, Lakesha Brathwaite (right), Sr. Case Manager at Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services was honored as a "Frontline Hero" for her exceptional work. Lakesha was nominated by her leader, then recognized today in front of co-workers and peers.
Thank you Lakesha and congratulations!
Eugenie Novembre, Devereux Florida
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Bethany Alexander, Children's Home Society
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Maria Gonzalez: Peace River Center - Home to Stay
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JC Gonzalez, One Hope United
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Deb Eulo, Guardian ad Litem
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Helen Jessie, Devereux Florida
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Sarabeth Edwards, Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services
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Tiffany Olsen, Children's Home Society
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Season 2: Brittany Kennedy, Neighbor to Family
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Welcome to Season 2 of Frontline Heroes. We'd like you to meet Brittany Kennedy!
Brittany is a Family Care Manager with Neighbor to Family in Bartow, FL. As a member of one of NTF's Prevention teams, Brittany works with local at-risk families in order to help keep them from entering the judicial system.
Thank you, Brittany, for your service to children and families in Circuit 10!
Music by Everet Almond and www.bensound.com.
Nora Castillo, Guardian ad Litem
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Meet our August 2015 Frontline Hero, Nora Castillo! Nora is a Child Advocate Manager at Guardian ad Litem where she represents the best interests of children placed in the child welfare system in Florida's 10th Circuit. Congratulations, Nora!
Melanie Walkington, Home to Stay
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Meet our newest Frontline Hero, Melanie Walkington! Melanie is Care Manager at Home to Stay and has been in the field of child welfare for over 20 years.
Thank you for your exceptional service to children and families in your community, Melanie!
Music by bensound.com.
Kimberly Newton, One Hope United
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Meet Kimberly Newton! Ms. Newton is a Family Case Manager for One Hope United in Central Florida. Thank you for your service and dedication to see children and families thrive in your community, Kimberly! Congratulations!
Tamira Williams, Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services
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Meet Family Team Conferencing Facilitator, Tamira Williams, is helping to transform the lives of families in her community. Ms. Williams works for Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services.
Congratulations, Tamira!
Cemico Green, Devereux Florida
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Meet Cemico Green, Case Manager for Devereux Florida. Thank you for your years of service to children and families, and congratulations on your nomination as Frontline Hero!
Haveria Butler, Children's Home Society of Florida
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Meet Dependency Specialist, Haveria Butler, who has been advocating for children and families for 17 years! Ms. Butler works for the Children's Home Society of Florida. Congratulations, Haveria!
Luz Mull, Guardian ad Litem
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Meet our very first Frontline Hero from the Guardian ad Litem program, Luz Mull, who has been advocating for children in Circuit 10 since 2001. Luz is a Child Advocacy Manager at Guardian ad Litem in Bartow, FL. Congratulations, Luz!
Susan Buckley, Neighbor to Family
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Meet our newest Frontline Hero, Susan Buckley! Susan is a Family Care Manager at Neighbor To Family, Inc.'s Bartow, FL office. Congratulations, Susan!
Heather Hicks-Chauncy, Care Manager for Peace River Center
Meet Heather Hicks-Chauncy, Care Manager for Peace River Center's Home to Stay program!
Andre & Mitzi Davis, One Hope United & Heartland for Children
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Meet our very first co-Frontline Heroes, Andre & Mitzi Davis! Andre is Case Management Supervisor at One Hope United, and Mitzi is a Licensing Specialist at Heartland for Children.
Kathy Sangster, Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services
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Meet our third Frontline Hero, Kathy Sangster, Independent Living Specialist at Gulf Coast Jewish Family & Community Services!
Wendy Rubio, Devereux Florida
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Meet our second Frontline Hero, Wendy Rubio, Case Manager for Devereux Florida.
James Acevedo, Children's Home Society
Meet our very first Frontline Hero, James Acevedo, Supervisor, Children's Home Society!