The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County is racing into local libraries with a purpose for families. Turbo Babies “Pit Stops” are now open with brain-boosting bags for kids three and younger.
See all of the Pit Stops at Turbobabies.com/Libraries.
View the segment as aired at https://www.fox13news.com/video/fmc-123naioyawiwbni1
JWB Interim CEO Michael Mikurak joined Joe Hamilton on a recent episode of the Impact Catalyst podcast to discuss the free digital safety tools from Parent ProTech that JWB has made available to Pinellas families to protect their children online.
Cyberbullies, human traffickers, and online predators can enter homes 24/7 through a child’s phone, computer, or gaming device. Left unchecked, it’s as risky as leaving a child’s bedroom window open or your front door unlocked.
“There’s a growing gap between what parents know about technology and how their children actually use it,” stated Michael Mikurak, Interim CEO of the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB). “Studies tell us that kids average 8 to 11 hours on their devices each day, and online crimes against children are up as well. That’s why JWB launched a groundbreaking initiative to safeguard children online and equip families with vital support.”
Watch Episode 125 of the Impact Catalyst podcast below, and claim your free Parent ProTech subscription at app.parentprotech.com/jwb.
A routine staff appreciation event at Freedom Lake Park shifted into a moment of recognition April 24 when the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County honored Gena Calisch with the first KidsFirst Cooperman-Bogue Award of 2026.
Calisch, a Family Support Specialist with Healthy Families Pinellas, has spent more than a decade working directly with parents in their homes, helping them build safer environments, strengthen parenting skills and support healthy child development. The award recognizes frontline professionals whose work creates lasting impact for children and families across the county.
Colleagues cheered as Calisch was surprised during the National Home Visiting Week celebration. The recognition places her among a select group of professionals acknowledged for going beyond traditional service delivery to build trust and stability within families.
“I’m incredibly honored and honestly a little overwhelmed,” Calisch said in a prepared statement. “This work is about the families and the children we serve every day. Being able to walk alongside them as they grow stronger and more confident is the greatest reward.”
Calisch’s role centers on one-on-one engagement with families, often in complex or high-stress environments. From a service delivery perspective, home visiting programs operate at the intersection of prevention and capacity building. They are designed not only to respond to immediate needs but to shift long-term outcomes by equipping parents with tools, knowledge and confidence.
Her colleagues say her impact extends well beyond scheduled visits. Program Manager Christy Robinson, who nominated Calisch, described her as a consistent presence for families navigating challenges.
“She builds trust with families, helps them find their voice and gives them the tools to succeed,” Robinson said. “The impact she makes can be seen in stronger families and brighter futures for children in Pinellas County.”
Within Healthy Families Pinellas, Calisch mentors new home visitors, leads parent support groups and helps colleagues manage the emotional demands of working in intensive family support settings. That peer leadership function is often less visible but remains critical to program continuity and staff retention in high-touch service environments.
JWB Interim CEO Michael Mikurak said the award reflects the broader importance of frontline professionals in shaping community outcomes.
“Professionals like Gena are the reason our community is stronger,” Mikurak said. “She represents the very best of what it means to put children first, doing the hard, meaningful work every day, often without recognition.”
The KidsFirst Cooperman-Bogue Award has been presented for more than 30 years. It is named after JWB founders Leonard Cooperman and Juvenile Judge Lincoln C. Bogue, who helped establish the organization through legislation in 1945. The recognition highlights individuals whose work aligns with JWB’s long-standing focus on early childhood development, abuse prevention and family stability.
Calisch is the first of four honorees to be named this year. Additional recipients will be announced in the coming months and recognized at the organization’s 80th Anniversary KidsFirst Awards Luncheon, scheduled for Oct. 23 at the St. Petersburg Coliseum. Each honoree receives a $1,000 award.
Established by voter referendum in 1946, the organization remains one of the only entities of its kind in the country, funded through a dedicated property tax. Today, JWB invests more than $128 million annually in programs that serve tens of thousands of children and families.
Programs like Healthy Families Pinellas reflect a preventive model that aims to reduce long-term system strain by intervening early and consistently.
More information about the Juvenile Welfare Board and its programs is available at JWBPinellas.org.
Read the article as originally published at https://stpetecatalyst.com/juvenile-welfare-board-honors-home-visitor–gena-calisch/
April is Home Visiting Month, highlighting how home visitors strengthen families — supporting parent and child health and helping prevent child abuse. April 20–24 is National Home Visiting Week, and the Juvenile Welfare Board is and celebrating the impact home visitors make every day.
Home Visiting Month coincides with National Child Abuse Prevention Month. That’s intentional — underscoring home visiting as a proactive, non-judgmental way to prevent crises. Home visiting professionals work alongside families to build confidence and self-sufficiency. Utilizing a variety of research-based models, they strengthen parenting skills, share early childhood development and school-readiness best practices, help children build resilience and life skills, and connect families to support.
JWB is highlighting two JWB-funded programs serving Pinellas families:
• Truancy Intervention Prevention Services (TIPS): The TIPS program offered by Bethel Community Foundation is a prevention-based model that serves youth ages 8-17 who face school-related challenges, including habitual truancy and other unmanageable behaviors. Through personalized case management and support services, including home visits, TIPS helps families navigate these challenges with dignity and respect.
• Family Center on Deafness (FCD): FCD is a nonprofit providing services specifically for deaf and hard-of-hearing (D/HH) residents of Pinellas County. They offer specialized services and staff trained in American Sign Language and experienced working with the D/HH population. FCD’s programs and services are geared toward empowering D/HH individuals and their parents/guardians/households; they work with the entire family. Programming includes parent and infant activities (birth-5); after-school, full-day, and summer camp programming for elementary, middle, and high school students; and enrichment and leadership programming. Additional after-school support for school-age youth is provided through individual tutoring, group tutoring, literacy activities, and sign language instruction. These programs are designed to positively impact youth participants’ self-esteem and strengthen their learning capabilities.
Read the article as originally published at https://www.tbnweekly.com/pinellas_county/article_55d2327f-5695-417b-b460-cfb07ad72733.html
Fox 13 News covered the Turbo Babies’ drive to deliver Pit Crew bags to Pinellas County libraries for National Library Week (April 19-25). Bags filled with brain-building activity items and Turbo Tips are available in English and Spanish for 0 to 1-year-olds, 1- to 2-year-olds, and 2- to 3-year-olds for free at your local library. Find your nearest Pit Stop here: Turbobabies.com/Libraries
Watch the segment in its entirety below:
Free baby bags will be available at libraries across Pinellas County in honor of National Library Week.
The county’s Juvenile Welfare Board partnered with the Public Library Cooperative to offer families “pit crew” bags for babies under three years old.
The free bags include books, toys, and brain-boosting activities.
The stops will be available at the following locations:
Leaders say the early years of a child’s life are the most important in their development.
“Zero to three is the most important part of their life because that’s when their brain grows,” JWB Interim CEO Mike Mikurak said. “That’s when 80% of whatever is going to happen for them is happening. And the more we nurture them in that period of time, the better they’ll be able to cope and become part of the community.”
“In libraries, we promote play, read, sing, write,” St. Petersburg Library System Librarian Mandy Morris said. “These are the same types of things that Turbo Babies is promoting.”
View the segment as originally published at https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/turbo-babies-pit-stops-available-at-pinellas-county-libraries/amp/
Start your engines, Pinellas County. The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB) is racing into National Library Week (April 19–25) with a high-energy surprise for families: Turbo Babies “Pit Stops” are now open at local libraries.
Through a new partnership with the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative, libraries across the county are transforming into learning pit stops—where families with babies ages 0–3 can pull in and pick up a free Turbo Babies “Pit Crew” bag packed with playful, brain-boosting goodies.
Each Pit Crew bag is designed to get little learners off to a great start, including:
🏁 A board book
🏁 Fun, educational toy
🏁 Age-based activities designed to rev up kids’ learning and keep their development on track
🏁 A chance to sign up to receive free birthday gifts for baby through age three
“An astonishing 80 percent of a baby’s brain is developed by age three,” said JWB Interim CEO Michael Mikurak. “That growth happens at lightning speed, making the early years a critical time to fuel development. Turbo Babies puts families in the driver’s seat, giving parents and caregivers the tools they need to boost learning through everyday moments—like reading, talking, and playing together.”
At these library “Pit Stops,” families can grab gear and discover easy ways to keep their baby’s development on track. From storytime to toddler time and pop-up playgroups, libraries offer fun opportunities to bond and learn together. As part of National Library Week and this year’s theme, Find Your Joy, this effort highlights how libraries support early learning and family connection.
“This partnership is a natural fit. In our early literacy programs, we remind parents they are their child’s first and best teacher—and these Turbo Babies bags help bring that to life,” said Mandy Morris, Librarian with St. Petersburg Library System. They’re a great takeaway, giving families simple, on-the-go ways to read, talk, and play together while supporting their baby’s brain development during those critical early years.”
Just like any great team, every child needs a strong crew. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join the Turbo Babies Pit Crew by registering at TurboBabies.com. Members receive expert tips, access to community events, and even free birthday surprises for their child through age three.
For a list of participating Pinellas County public libraries, visit TurboBabies.com/Library-Pit-Stops.
More than 130 attendees gathered for an indoor Caregivers’ Brunch connecting kinship caregivers with resources and one another—made possible by volunteers, partners, and community support.
The South County Community Council hosted a Caregivers’ Brunch to support caregivers raising grandchildren and other relatives, offering expert guidance, helpful resources, and time to connect. The response from families and partners was overwhelmingly positive.
Highlights included a warm welcome by St. Pete’s Mayor Ken Welch; Ashli Doss of the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office as emcee; a panel with expertise from Pinellas County Schools, St. Pete Free Clinic, Bay Area Legal Services, and St. Pete Hubs; live music from the Gibbs High School Jazz Band; and a personal reflection from South County grandmother Rebecca Bray on the joys and challenges of raising her grandchild. Brunch, catered by Johnny Newsome (JNew BBQ and Catering), featured a delicious spread of eggs, grits, sausages, chicken, and waffles.
Kelly and the Community Council expressed their thanks to the exhibitors and volunteers—including JWB staff (Yaya, Joanne, Adelson, Cristen, Brianna, Marlaina, and Cristina); JWB Board Member Alicia McShea; and South County Council Member Michael Flores and his wife Eliana.
The Council planning team (Dexter McCree, Deneen Wyman, and Kerry Carlisle) deserve a warm round of applause, along with the City of St. Pete and the Lake Vista staff for their seamless support.
The event reflected the strength of our community—and the importance of showing up for kinship caregivers.
Enjoy even more photos of the day in this Facebook post.
Parenting can be hard. Growing up can be, too.
April is Home Visiting Month, highlighting how home visitors strengthen families—supporting parent and child health and helping prevent child abuse.
Home visiting professionals work alongside families to build confidence and self-sufficiency; utilizing a variety of research-based models, they strengthen parenting skills, share early childhood development and school-readiness best practices, help children build resilience and life skills, and connect families to support.
You might’ve noticed Home Visiting Month coincides with National Child Abuse Prevention Month. That’s intentional— underscoring home visiting as a proactive, non-judgmental way to prevent crises.
Next week (April 20–24) is National Home Visiting Week. We’re proud to highlight two JWB-funded programs serving Pinellas families and celebrate the impact home visitors make every day.
“Home visiting is a powerful tool to help make our families and communities stronger and more resilient,” said JWB Interim CEO Michael Mikurak. “Our local home visitors are incredible, and we’re proud to highlight their important work through National Home Visiting Week and beyond.”
The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is an evidence-based home visiting program funded by JWB to promote the well-being of first-time, low-income mothers and their children.
Pinellas Nurse Family Partnership serves mothers experiencing socioeconomic challenges and risk factors for poor key health outcomes; priority is given to first-time mothers. Home visits are used to educate, counsel, and guide the first-time mother: NFP nurses provide pregnancy and parenting education, breastfeeding support, referrals to community resources, and promote family enrichment beginning in pregnancy through the child’s second birthday. Goals for the program include improving pregnancy outcomes, child health and development, supporting early identification of developmental delays, and family economic self-sufficiency.
The program is available to residents of Pinellas County beginning in pregnancy prior to 28 weeks’ gestation through the child’s second birthday. Visits are made every two to four weeks.
Julie Goodrich, an RN with NFP, was recognized as one of JWB’s 2023-2024 KidsFirst Cooperman Bogue Award Winners (above). Following in her mother’s footsteps, Julie supports first-time moms through their pregnancies and until their children turn two. When her clients graduate from the program, they have direction in their lives and the tools to successfully raise healthy children and build strong families. What matters to Julie is connecting so that, long after she’s gone, her families are able to nurture and advocate for their children.
Bethel Community Foundation’s mission centers on strengthening families emotionally, physically, and spiritually through services that yield both immediate and lasting benefits for the community. BCF’s philosophy stems from a prevention-based model, teaching families replacement behaviors that foster positive change both within the household and as individuals.
Their TIPS program serves youth ages 8-17 who face school-related challenges, including habitual truancy and other unmanageable behaviors. Through personalized case management and support services, including home visits, TIPS helps families navigate these challenges with dignity and respect.
Key TIPS offerings include:
By equipping youth and families with tools to succeed, BCF’s TIPS program aims to reshape futures and restore promise across Pinellas County.
Deafness can impact home life and personal relationships. FCD is a nonprofit providing services specifically for deaf and hard-of-hearing (D/HH) residents of Pinellas County. They offer specialized services and staff trained in American Sign Language and experienced working with the D/HH population. FCD’s programs and services are geared toward empowering D/HH individuals and their parents/guardians/households; they work with the entire family.
Programming includes parent and infant activities (birth – 5); after-school, full-day, and summer camp programming for elementary, middle, and high school students; and enrichment and leadership programming. Additional after-school support for school-age youth is provided through individual tutoring, group tutoring, literacy activities, and sign language instruction. These programs are designed to positively impact youth participants’ self-esteem and strengthen their learning capabilities.
Outside of FCD’s home visitation services, parents are also engaged not only through educational and recreational activities but also parent networking events.
While the center provides literacy classes, counseling, home visits, resources, and more for the whole family to fully support its clients, FCD is also an essential hub for connection and community building for D/HH Pinellas families and children.
Learn more about JWB’s work and partnerships around the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect every day.
JWB staff and Community Council members showed up in blue Not just to wear the right color on Wear Blue Day, but to stand for something bigger and show that we believe that when we, as a community, invest in Pinellas families early and often, our community’s children grow up safe, supported, and full of possibility.
We work with partners across Pinellas County every day to put kids first.
Still, Wear Blue Day serves as a meaningful reminder of our shared responsibility to create safe, supportive, and nurturing environments for our kids.
The blue pinwheel, the national symbol of child abuse prevention, represents the healthy and secure childhoods all children deserve; JWB staff planted a pinwheel garden in front of our office as a reminder that we all play a role when it comes to the healthy development of our children.
We welcome every Pinellas resident to join JWB in showing your commitment to prevention by standing with Pinellas County children and families—today and every day. When families are supported, communities thrive—and possibilities are endless!
