Pasco Kids First

Child Advocacy and Protection

Pasco Kids First

Children's Advocacy Center

Keeping Kids Safe, Strengthening Families

Daughters of Penelope Baby Shower

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The Daughters of Penelope EROS Chapter 356 held a baby shower event at their monthly meeting at St. George Community Center in New Port Richey. There was no specific mommy to be or baby present but the group of caring and generous women each brought in baby items such as diapers, toys and some of the most darling outfits for baby boys and girls. The gifts were presented to Becky Bennett with Pasco Kids First for their Healthy Families Pasco-Hernando program, a positive-parenting home visiting program for expecting families or those with newborns. In addition, the ladies donated journals, toiletry items, undergarments and more for the kids served at the Pasco Kids First Children’s Advocacy Center.  The Daughters of Penelope formed 38 years ago and support a variety of charities throughout the year.

Pasco Kids First Ribbon Cutting/Open House

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Pasco Kids First is holding an Open House and Ribbon Cutting on Friday, May 10th from 12pm – 2pm of their new East Pasco Office located at the Dade City Business Center – 15000 Citrus Country Drive, Suite 103.  The ribbon cutting will take place at 1pm by the Dade City Chamber of Commerce.   The new office houses the Healthy Families Pasco-Hernando East Pasco Team and Trauma Treatment Team.  Guests will enjoy light refreshments while meeting team members and learning more about the services provided for children and families in East Pasco.

Pasco Kids First is a private, not-for-profit organization serving children and families in Pasco County for 30 years with the mission to keep kids safe and strengthen families by providing services addressing child abuse and neglect. The programs include prevention, assessment and treatment services.

In 2018, Pasco Kids First served 1,473 children at the Children’s Advocacy Center through child abuse assessments or therapy services. The Healthy Families program provided 3,984 educational home visits to 252 families with 461children.  For more information about Pasco Kids First, visit www.pascokidsfirst.org or call 727-845-8080.

Flyer: Dade City Ribbon Cutting (1)

Tampa Bay Newcomers Donate $2,500 to PKF

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The Tampa Bay Newcomers Charity Committee, chaired by Sandy Smith, selected Pasco Kids First as their annual charitable donation recipient.  Pasco Kids First representatives Becky Bennett and Jon Wisenbaker were joined by Healthy Families Pasco-Hernando Graduate Michelle Barber at the group’s monthly membership luncheon. Barber shared her story of being a first time mother of twins and the impact the organization made on her family.   Tampa Bay Newcomers President Marleen Eagan presented Pasco Kids First with a check for $2,500.

Tampa Bay Newcomers was founded in 1950 to extend the hand of friendship for women who want to make new friends.  The club is both a social and community service organization. Monthly luncheons are held throughout the Tampa Bay area and feature local speakers.

  Photo Attached: Pictured left to right: Sandy Smith, Michelle Barber, Becky Bennett, Jon Wisenbaker, Marleen Eagan

American Legion Riders Raise $1,400 for Pasco Kids First

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New Port Richey – The American Legion Riders, Chapter 79, held their 2nd Annual Poker Run with stops in Pasco and Hernando Counties to benefit Pasco Kids First. They had 29 riders and raised $1,400 for the non-profit whose mission is to keep kids safe and strengthen families by providing services focused on the prevention, assessment and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Ken Vaughan, the winner of the ride also donated his $100 prize to Pasco Kids First. “Chris Kilmetis and his fellow American Legion Riders and guests are so generous every year to our cause”, stated Becky Bennett, Pasco Kids First Director of Development. “They also couldn’t have had a more beautiful day. We so appreciate their support of the work we do with children.”

Primrose VPK Students Shop to help Other Kids

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Three VPK classes of  Primrose School at Collier Parkway took field trips to Publix to buy food items for other kids in need. Each class of 15-21 children took turns boarding the Primrose bus and were given $100 and a shopping list.  They went lane by lane at the Publix of Collier Parkway in Land O’Lakes choosing items to put in their cart with a sign that stated “We worked for weeks doing chores for change so we could go shopping for Pasco Kids First.”

The school has held a food drive for the holiday for Pasco Kids First for the past two years with the students bringing in items they collect from home. In the days that follow, the children and teachers discuss how food banks and shelters help people in their community. Each activity supports the lessons at the heart of the Caring and Giving Food Drive: compassion, citizenship and giving without expectation. This year’s donation was more than $500 of food goods.

“At Primrose, we believe who children become is as important as what they know,” said Gloria Julius, Ed.D., vice president of education for Primrose Schools. “Our goal is to help children develop a love of learning, but also encourage them to be kind people who naturally show caring and empathy toward others.”

A growing body of research shows that children as young as 6 months old can begin to demonstrate outward signs of budding empathy skills. However, in a recent national survey sponsored by Primrose Schools, more than half of parents indicated that they feel their child did not or will not acquire honesty, generosity and compassion (54, 54 and 62 percent, respectively) during their early education experience.

“We can nurture positive character traits earlier than many people think – that’s why we incorporate character-building into daily experiences starting as early as our infant classrooms,” said Dr. Julius.

The Caring and Giving Food Drive has been a part of the Primrose-exclusive Balanced Learning® approach for more than a decade. Visit PrimroseSchools.com/blog to read more about the food drive and tips for encouraging empathy, selflessness and generosity in young children.

Pasco Kids First is a non-profit organization serving Pasco County for 30 years with the mission to keep kids safe and strengthen families.  In 2018, Pasco Kids First served 1,473 children at the Children’s Advocacy Center through child abuse assessments or therapy services. The Healthy Families program provided educational home visits to 252 families with 461 children.

“We cannot thank Primrose School at Collier Parkway enough for their partnership to help us provide food to families during the holidays”, stated Becky Bennett, Director of Development. “Many kids receive their main meal at school and this allows caregivers to not have to choose between the extra groceries needed or bills while the kids are out of school”, stated Becky Bennett, Director of Development.

About Primrose Schools®

Primrose Schools is the leader in providing premier early education and care to children and families in the United States. Founded in 1982, there are more than 350 Primrose schools in 29 states today. Each school is independently owned and operated by Franchise Owners who partner with parents to help children build the right foundation for future learning and life. Primrose believes who children become is as important as what they know. The Primrose-exclusive Balanced Learning® approach is created from the best early education wisdom and balances purposeful play with nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, confidence and compassion. For more information, visit www.PrimroseSchools.com, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, explore our blog,sign up for our Pointers for Parents emails and find a Primrose school near you.

 

AJ’s Power Source Supports Pasco Kids First

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AJ’s Power Source in Land O Lakes presented Pasco Kids First’s Director of Development Becky Bennett with a check for $777.  The company was established in 1987 with the sole intent to design and manufacture power and power distribution equipment and now has more than 40 employees. The management team of AJ’s Power Source, promotes volunteering and giving back to the community. This year, AJ’s Power Source, chose Pasco Kids First as their charity partner to support throughout the year.  They held raffles at their office and holiday party for baskets to raise the funds. Pasco Kids First has been providing services to children and families in Pasco County for 30 years to address child abuse and neglect.  For more information about AJ’s Power Source, visit ajpowersupply.com.

Photo Attached: Pictured left to right – Nigel Pearson, Angela Moore, Adalyn Moore, Becky Bennett

https://twitter.com/AJsPowerSource?lang=en

https://www.facebook.com/ajpowersupply/

https://www.ajpowersupply.com/

 

 

Pasco Kids First Announces New Executive Director

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Dr. Marcia Brevard Wynn

New Port Richey, FL – Pasco Kids First welcomes Marcia Brevard Wynn, Ph.D. as the organization’s new Executive Director. Dr. Wynn brings more than seven years of nonprofit experience to Pasco Kids First, to include leadership roles as both an Executive Director and Housing Director. She has also successfully served several years in the areas of development, grant writing, and fundraising to include roles as the Vice President of Research and Sponsored Programs for a university, and the National Director of Major Gifts and Grants for a large, national nonprofit. Her background also includes eight years as an Assistant Professor of Human Services at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL.

Dr. Wynn earned a B.A. in Public Affairs and a master’s degree in Human Behavior & Conflict Management, both from Columbia College in Columbia, SC. She also earned a doctorate in Human Services from Capella University.

On a personal note, she is the mother of three adult children—30-year-old twin sons (Jordan and Jeremy), and a 22-year-old daughter (Lauren). She is originally from Camden, SC and relocated to Apollo Beach, FL in 2014. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Pasco Kids First is a private, not-for-profit organization founded in 1989 as the Pasco Family Protection Team. Pasco Kids First is committed to continuing to advocate for the best interests of children with assessment, therapy and prevention services through their work as a fully accredited Children’s Advocacy Center. It is their mission to keep kids safe, strengthen families through empowerment and enhance our community by preventing child abuse and healing children from trauma. For more information about Pasco Kids First, visit www.pascokidsfirst.org.

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Farewell Open House for Rick Hess

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The Pasco Kids First Board of Directors are holding a Farewell Open House for President & CEO Rick Hess this Thursday, June 28th from 11am-3pm at the PKF Children’s Advocacy Center.  Come by to thank Rick for his 21 years of service with Pasco Kids First! Refreshments will be provided.

400 Pasco and Hernando Families to Benefit from Bilingual Oral Health Program

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Pasco Kids First has launched a new bilingual oral health navigation program benefiting children and families in Pasco and Hernando counties thanks to a grant from the Florida Blue Foundation. Through the new program a bilingual Oral Health Navigator, Julissa Cantillo, will provide in-home education visits with families in the Healthy Families Pasco-Hernando program as well as guidance to families seen at the Children’s Advocacy Center.

In addition to providing free education about oral health and the importance of establishing a routine of caring for your teeth at a young age, the Oral Health Navigator will also link parents and children to appropriate dental providers for prevention visits and needed treatment. Pasco Kids First is partnering with Premier Community HealthCare and the Pasco County Health Department to provide assessments and treatment for kids and their parents at no cost to the families.

“Research shows that poor oral health has an effect on overall health,” said Becky Bennett, Director of Development of Pasco Kids First. “Having an Oral Health Navigator educate families and link them to dental providers will make an impact on missed work and school days and reduce the number of visits to the emergency room due to a tooth ache.”

The $283,553 three-year grant from the Florida Blue Foundation will allow the Oral Health Navigator to provide assistance with treatment costs as well as transportation to appointments when it is a barrier for families by providing bus passes or scheduling Uber rides.

“Our mission is to help people and communities achieve better health. As we see the number of visits to the emergency room for dental pain and oral health issues skyrocket across the state, it’s important that we start the habit of good oral health at a young age,” said David Pizzo, Florida Blue Market President, West Florida Region. “The Pasco Kids First program will help build a foundation of good oral health for children and families in Pasco and Hernando counties that can benefit their overall health for a lifetime.”

Pasco Kids First has been serving children and families in Pasco County for 29 years and Hernando County for 11 years by providing services addressing child abuse and neglect. The programs include prevention, assessment and treatment services. For more information about Pasco Kids First, please visit www.pascokidsfirst.org.

Oral Health Program featured on Bay News 9 – Florida Blue Foundation Grant Funds Pasco Kids First Oral Health Program

Oral Health Program featured in June 21, 2018  Dade City News – Page 5 – Oral Health Program – Dade City News

Oral Health Navigation Program Flyer – Oral Health Program Flyer

Rick Hess Announces Retirement from Pasco Kids First

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New Port Richey, FL – Rick Hess, President & CEO of Pasco Kids First announced his retirement to the Pasco Kids First leadership team. Hess has been with Pasco Kids First for 21 years and his retirement date will be June 29, 2018.

Hess joined Pasco Kids First after 22 years of experience in juvenile justice and child welfare. During his tenure at Pasco Kids First, his leadership led the organization in substantial growth to a budget of $3 million and 43 staff members. The Children’s Advocacy Center also became fully accredited and the Healthy Families Pasco-Hernando Program received national recognition on more than one occasion.

“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve first as Executive Director and then as CEO of an organization that has been life-giving to so many as we have carried out our mission to keep kids safe and strengthen families,” Rick Hess stated in his retirement letter to the Pasco Kids First team.

Pasco Kids First is a private, not-for-profit organization serving children and families in Pasco County for 29 years and Hernando County for 11 years by providing services addressing child abuse and neglect. The programs include prevention, assessment and treatment services. For more information about Pasco Kids First, please visit www.pascokidsfirst.org.

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