Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Investing in Children, Strengthening Families
Established in 1945, the Pinellas County Juvenile Welfare (JWB) has dedicated over seven decades to advocating for children's rights and strengthening families in our community. As a high-performing, data-driven organization created by a Special Act of the Florida Legislature, we responsibly direct community investments to create equitable opportunities for children to thrive. Our strategic focus areas - Early Childhood Development, School Readiness, School Success, Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, Strengthening Community, and Organizational Capacity - guide our $126 million annual impact budget that served 77,000 children and families through 98 quality programs in FY24. Governed by an 11-member Board of Directors representing diverse community sectors, we collaborate with 51 nonprofit agencies to address complex issues like childhood hunger, grade-level reading, and preventable child deaths.Our proven track record of innovation and accountability demonstrates our commitment to measurable outcomes, evidenced by our recognition through awards like the KidsFirst Cooperman-Bogue Award. With a skilled workforce and robust technology infrastructure, we maintain transparency in operations while pioneering partnerships that create lasting change. Our team of experts specializes in strategic grantmaking, program monitoring, and community engagement to ensure every dollar invested creates meaningful impact. As Florida's first citizen-created child welfare entity, we continue evolving our approaches while staying true to our founding mission of making children a priority. Our comprehensive services span from prenatal support through adolescence, creating pathways for families to achieve long-term stability and success.
Services
Early Childhood Development
School Readiness Programs
Grade-Level Reading Initiatives
Child Mental Health Services
Family Support Programs
Community Strengthening
Preventable Child Deaths
Organizational Capacity Building
Parent Education
Crisis Intervention
Details
- Year established: 1945
Highlights and features
- We have 79 years of experience strengthening Pinellas County families
- Our data-driven $126M annual investments create measurable community impact
- We partner with 51 nonprofit agencies to maximize program effectiveness
- Our six strategic result areas address comprehensive child development needs
- We pioneered Florida's first citizen-created child welfare model
Services
Early Childhood Development
Our Early Childhood Development programs provide critical support for children aged 0-3 through parent education and family resources. We invest in evidence-based initiatives that establish strong developmental foundations, focusing on cognitive, social, and emotional growth. These services help parents become their child's first teachers while connecting families with essential community resources.
School Readiness
School Readiness programs ensure children develop foundational skills for academic success. We fund services that promote developmental milestones through early learning centers and home-visitation programs. Our investments help children build literacy, numeracy, and social skills necessary for kindergarten success while supporting families with educational resources and parenting guidance.
Family Services Initiative
The Family Services Initiative connects families with comprehensive support networks through our FSI Connect program. Available 24/7 in 150+ languages, this service provides crisis intervention, childcare assistance, and referrals to essential resources. Our approach combines immediate support with long-term solutions to help families achieve stability and self-sufficiency.
Community Strengthening
Our Community Strengthening efforts address systemic challenges through neighborhood-based solutions. We invest in local initiatives that combat childhood hunger, improve educational outcomes, and prevent child abuse. By partnering with community organizations and faith-based groups, we create tailored programs that address specific neighborhood needs while promoting collective problem-solving.
Preventable Child Deaths
The Preventable Child Deaths initiative focuses on reducing child mortality through targeted interventions. We fund programs addressing child abuse prevention, safe sleep education, and family crisis support. Our data-driven approach identifies at-risk populations and implements evidence-based strategies to create safer environments for children across Pinellas County.
People
Jim Millican
Board Chair
Division Chief Jim Millican leads the Juvenile Welfare Board as Board Chair, bringing extensive public service experience to guide strategic decision-making for children's welfare investments.
Kristen Gnage
Board Vice Chair
Kristen Gnage serves as Board Vice Chair, contributing leadership in nonprofit governance and community engagement to advance the organization's mission of strengthening families.
Bruce Bartlett
State Attorney
The Honorable Bruce Bartlett represents the State Attorney's office on the Board, providing legal expertise and advocacy for children's rights within the judicial system.
Kevin Hendrick
School Superintendent
Kevin K. Hendrick brings educational leadership as Pinellas County Schools Superintendent, ensuring alignment between JWB initiatives and school system needs.
Chris Latvala
County Commissioner
Commissioner Chris Latvala represents county government interests, connecting JWB's work with broader community development efforts and policy initiatives.
Questions
How does JWB support early childhood development?
We invest in home-visitation programs, parent education, and early learning resources to establish strong developmental foundations for children aged 0-3.
What educational programs does JWB fund?
We support school readiness initiatives, grade-level reading programs, and after-school tutoring through partnerships with 51 local nonprofit agencies.
How can families access crisis support services?
Families can call 727-888-HELP (727-888-4357) or visit eleoswellness.org for 24/7 confidential assistance in over 150 languages.
What community initiatives does JWB lead?
We address childhood hunger through neighborhood programs, strengthen families through the Family Services Initiative, and work on preventing child abuse and neglect.
How is JWB funded?
We responsibly direct community investments through our annual $126 million impact budget derived from local tax support and strategic funding partnerships.
How can providers apply for funding?
Nonprofits can explore current opportunities at jwbpinellas.org/funding and participate in our competitive procurement process aligned with guiding values.
Videos
