Paul Kleeman, a veteran and tutor with the city, has received the KidsFirst Award from the Juvenile Welfare Board.

After his service with the U.S. Air Force, Kleeman “wanted to give back to his community and was drawn to the opportunity to work with students in Clearwater’s Parks & Recreation out-of-school-time programs,” officials said.

What began as a short-term volunteer opportunity became his personal mission and passion project. Kleeman has worked professionally tutoring nearly 400 Clearwater students since 2019.

For more than 25 years, the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County has used the annual KidsFirst Cooperman-Bogue Awards to recognize outstanding social services professionals “who provide direct services and work tirelessly to put children first.”

See the article as originally published at https://www.tbnweekly.com/clearwater_beacon/article_d93817a8-4229-4a42-8df8-bb36f0b04733.html

TAMPA, Fla. — A Hurricane Community Expo is being held in Clearwater Saturday to help residents prepare for storm season.

Juvenile Welfare Board is partnering with about twenty other community organizations, including the St. Pete Free Clinic, the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center, and the Hispanic Outreach Center, to provide much-needed resources to residents and a approach to disaster readiness efforts compared to last year, especially in specific populations.

“We all were impacted by the hurricanes and the different storms but we know we have some vulnerable communities like the Latino community and grand families,” said Yaridis Garcia, community engagement manager for the Juvenile Welfare Board.

The organization started preparing for this storm season immediately after Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit last year. Committees were formed to begin proactive planning to reach specific populations at events geared toward grandparents who raise their grandchildren, and ensuring resources and information are provided in Spanish.

And to make sure supplies are readily available immediately following a disaster, JWB recently approved $200,000 for the St. Pete Free Clinic to pre-stock hurricane supplies in advance, to include things like: hygiene items, diapers and baby wipes.

This means warehouse shelves will already be stocked with items ready to distribute.

The Hurricane Community Expo will take place Saturday, June 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Clearwater East Community Library, located at 2465 Drew St.

Read the article as originally published at https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/06/06/hurricane-community-expo-in-clearwater-saturday

Beth A. Houghton has announced her retirement as CEO of the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County after heading the agency for six years.

Her retirement is effective July 11.

“Beth has been an extraordinary leader and champion for the children and families of Pinellas County,” said Patrice Moore, Sixth Judicial Circuit Court judge and chair of the Juvenile Welfare Board. “Under her leadership, JWB responded rapidly to meet emergent needs during a global pandemic, weathered back-to-back major hurricanes last year, successfully implemented a five-year strategic plan, and balanced accountability with new program growth, ensuring today’s funds are invested wisely to strengthen the lives of today’s children.”

Houghton was hired in 2019 after a national search. Previously, she had served as CEO of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic for eight years.

The JWB Board has named Michael Mikurak as interim CEO, effective June 9. Appointed to the JWB board in 2013, he held the positions of board chair, vice chair, and finance committee chair, and represented JWB on several child-serving boards until his term expired in April.

View the article as originally published at https://www.tbnweekly.com/pinellas_county/article_f94c5aaf-0887-4f98-ba28-5873edd16803.html.

After six years of service, Beth A. Houghton will retire as CEO of the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB), effective July 11.

Houghton leaves behind a legacy as an extraordinary leader and champion for children. Under her leadership, JWB successfully implemented a five-year strategic plan, met emergent needs during the global pandemic and major hurricanes, and balanced accountability with new program growth to ensure today’s funds are invested wisely to strengthen the lives of today’s children.

Learn more about JWB at www.jwbpinellas.org.

View the article as originally published at https://www.tampabay.com/sponsored/2025/06/06/beth-houghton-retires-from-jwb/.

The Juvenile Welfare Board announces Michael Mikurak as Interim CEO, effective June 9, 2025.

A prior member and chair of the Board, Mikurak is a staunch advocate for Pinellas children and families and has always held JWB to the highest standards of accountability while promoting innovation, strategic thinking, and process optimization. With more than 30 years’ business strategy and supply chain management experience, Mikurak brings his rich business acumen and depth of knowledge to the role.

Learn more about JWB at www.jwbpinellas.org. Learn more about Michael Mikurak at www.linkedin.com/in/mike-mikurak-6033498.

View the article as originally published at https://www.tampabay.com/sponsored/movers-shakers/2025/06/06/mike-mikurak-interim-ceo-at-jwb/.

Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Pinellas County

The Juvenile Welfare Board announces Michael Mikurak as Interim CEO, effective June 9, 2025. A prior member and Chair of the Board, Mikurak is a staunch advocate for Pinellas children and families and has always held JWB to the highest standards of accountability while promoting innovation, strategic thinking, and process optimization. With more than 30 years’ business strategy and supply chain management experience, Mikurak brings his rich business acumen and depth of knowledge to the role.

See this article as originally published at https://www.floridatrend.com/movers/2025-6/

Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Pinellas County

After six years of service, Beth A. Houghton will retire as CEO of the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB), effective July 11. Houghton leaves behind a legacy as an extraordinary leader and champion for children. Under her leadership, JWB successfully implemented a five-year strategic plan, met emergent needs during the global pandemic and major hurricanes, and balanced accountability with new program growth to ensure today’s funds are invested wisely to strengthen the lives of today’s children.

See this article as originally published at https://www.floridatrend.com/movers/2025-6/

After six years of service, Beth A. Houghton will retire as CEO of the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB), effective July 11. Houghton leaves behind a legacy as an extraordinary leader and champion for children. Under her leadership, JWB successfully implemented a five-year strategic plan, met emergent needs during the global pandemic and major hurricanes, and balanced accountability with new program growth to ensure today’s funds are invested wisely to strengthen the lives of today’s children.

See this article as originally published at https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/potmsearch/detail/submission/6560200/Beth_Houghton

The Juvenile Welfare Board announces Michael Mikurak as Interim CEO, effective June 9, 2025. A prior member and chair of the Board, Mikurak is a staunch advocate for Pinellas children and families and has always held JWB to the highest standards of accountability while promoting innovation, strategic thinking, and process optimization. With more than 30 years’ business strategy and supply chain management experience, Mikurak brings his rich business acumen and depth of knowledge to the role.

Read the article as originally published at https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/potmsearch/detail/submission/6560201/Michael_Mikurak