Saturday was a day of firsts for East Pasco Habitat for Humanity. For the first time, Bank of America fully funded and provided volunteer staff for an East Pasco Habitat home, one of six Habitat homes the Bank of America Charitable Foundation is sponsoring across the country as part of a $6 million commitment to Habitat for Humanity International. ...more

February 13, 2009

Department of Children and Families Secretary Bob Butterworth, who announced his resignation last week, will be sorely missed. The straight shooter restored confidence in the much maligned agency. Understanding that when mistakes aren't acknowledged they will be repeated, he encouraged workers to openly admit mistakes, no small task in an agency notoriously adverse to transparency. ...more

August 4, 2008

Given how deeply he cares about student access to higher education, it's surprising that Gov. Charlie Crist would advocate cutting the one grant that helps thousands of Florida students attend private in-state colleges. ...more

February 22, 2008

SEBRING — Healthy Families Florida in Highlands County already has about 25 referrals and is welcoming more. "We are so enthused that the program has been so well received by the community," said Deborah Hadley, program manager for Highlands County. "We have a lot of parents calling asking about it and very excited to start the services." Healthy Families Florida is a nonprofit organization designed to prevent child abuse and neglect before it starts. The program provides voluntary, community-based home visitation services focused on promoting child health and development and positive parent-child interaction. THE PROGRAM EXPANDED INTO HIGHLANDS COUNTY IN FALL 2007 AFTER THE STATE LEGISLATURE ALLOCATED $2.2 MILLION TO THE EXPANSION STATEWIDE. HIGHLANDS COUNTY RECEIVED $296,000 TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM LOCALLY. ...more

January 26, 2008