JWB Announces First 2025-2026 KidsFirst Award Winner

JWB’s mission of strengthening Pinellas County children and families simply could not be accomplished without those who work directly with families, so, for more than 30 years, JWB has recognized outstanding “boots on the ground” professionals each year with the KidsFirst Cooperman-Bogue Awards.

At a surprise presentation during National Home Visiting Week, JWB COO Karen Boggess presented the first KidsFirst Award of 2026 to Gena Calisch, a Family Support Specialist with Healthy Families Pinellas.

Gena identifies ways to pour into families—mentoring, coaching, and cheering them on. She gives them tools and support to break negative intergenerational cycles—so children grow up with stronger attachments, safer homes, and brighter futures.

But Gena doesn’t just serve families; she also strengthens her team. She launched a regular “lunch bunch”—a safe space for staff to reflect on the work and the big feelings it can bring—helping create psychological safety and supporting retention.

When we asked Gena’s nominator, Program Manager Christy Robinson, to describe Gena, she called her, “a hope broker, a relentless chain-breaker, and a dedicated life changer! Gena equips families with tools to change their lives; she builds real rapport and helps them build confidence and resilience.”

We also learned that in 2023, Gena was named the Best Home Visitor across all Healthy Families programs in America—a prestigious national service award from Prevent Child Abuse America and Healthy Families America—a fact our entire Governing Board celebrated with her during her visit to our May Board meeting.  

JWB’s Board, leadership, and staff are proud to recognize Gena for the way she shows up, the way she leads, and the way she never gives up on families.

She has dedicated 12 years to this mission—and your impact shows in families across Pinellas County. Your work helps parents dream again. It helps children feel safe. And it helps our whole community get healthier—one family at a time.

Enjoy this video highlighting her important work: