Honors Bestowed Upon JWB Recently
Honors Bestowed Upon JWB
Recently, the JWB Children’s Services Council, Board members and staff were recognized for several achievements.
On June 17th Florida's Children First, a non-profit legal services organization devoted to protecting the rights of children who are in the care of state agencies or at-risk, honored JWB for its longstanding commitment to improving the lives of children and their families in the community.
The Clearwater Bar Association recognized JWB Board member and 6th Judicial Circuit Unified Family Court Judge, Irene Sullivan with the John U. Bird Distinguished Service Award at the association’s May 14th Law Day Awards luncheon. The John U. Bird Distinguished Service Award recognizes a member of the judiciary for high ideals, personal character, judicial competence and service. Judge Sullivan handles delinquency and related family cases with the Unified Family Court. She also handles truancy court in Pinellas County and previously presided over family law and domestic violence matters. I addition to her service on the JWB Board, Judge Sullivan serves on a number of boards and commissions relating to juvenile justice.
At the May 13th JWB Board meeting, Pinellas County’s Abuse, Neglect and Dependency (AND) Committee presented a plaque in appreciation of twelve years of support. The AND Committee, comprised of representatives from more than twenty social service agencies, began as a technical advisory committee to JWB twelve years ago and has recently become a free-standing committee. AND Committee Chair, Laurallyn Segur presented the plaque to the Board on behalf of the committee.
During the state legislature’s Children’s Week (April 12-16) JWB’s newest Board member, Dr. James Sewell accepted a Community Innovation Award on behalf the Board for work done with the Kinship Services Network of Pinellas County. The award was presented by the Lawton Chiles Foundation and the United Way of Florida. The Kinship Services Network provides support to the thousands of grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives, besides parents, who are primary caregivers to Pinellas county children.
JWB Senior Planner, Yaridis Garcia was honored with the Lealman Community Association’s Special Accommodation for Community Service. Garcia is JWB’s community planner for the mid-County area which includes Lealman and received the accommodation for “invaluable contributions” through her work with JWB’s mid-County Community Council.
