The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas (JWB) and its Fatherhood Collaborative and Turbo Babies Campaign hosted a free car-themed family event geared towards dads and their babies on Nov 8 that included the first-ever Babytona 500 Races, where babies crawled to the finish line.

Nearly 600 families, also known as their Turbo Babies Pit Crews, enjoyed free admission, food, prizes, entertainment, and more at the Collection at Palmetto in Clearwater. Family-friendly activities were offered both indoors and outdoors, including free admission to the car museum and train rides.

See the photos and captions as originally published at https://www.tbnweekly.com/clearwater_beacon/article_43e326ec-b92d-4e01-aefd-37b86d8a9c1c.html

Pinellas County, Florida, is launching a new initiative to safeguard children online.

The Juvenile Welfare Board is providing free subscriptions to Parent Pro-Tech, a platform offering resources on digital safety. Parents can learn about parental controls, social media trends, and AI implications. The platform helps parents understand practical steps to protect their kids from online dangers, including AI chatbots. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri emphasizes the urgency, with more than 100 child pornography cases expected this year.

Parents can access the free annual subscriptions in English and Spanish on the Juvenile Welfare Board’s website.

Listen to this episode at https://shows.acast.com/the-tampa-daily-news-now/episodes/69375bdbfe31b2ca09f57395

The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB), in partnership with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, has unveiled a new initiative to help protect Pinellas children from cybercrimes and human trafficking. 

At a Monday media event held at the Sheriff’s Administration Building in Largo, JWB interim CEO Michael Mikurak announced that Pinellas parents, grandparents, caregivers and concerned citizens will now be able to receive a complimentary annual subscription to Parent ProTech. The platform offers tools to give adults a better understanding of modern technologies and how to help their children navigate them.  

These include videos and guides on topics including parental controls, social media and artificial intelligence. Additionally, the platform is overseen by experts who are actively studying developing digital trends, Mikurak said. 

To exemplify, Parent ProTech chief financial officer Ashby Green discussed how young people frequently use artificial intelligence chatbots for companionship. However, these bots have been instructing children to harm themselves or hide things from their parents. 

Parent ProTech has recently added new safety content to its platform to assist with these types of situations, he explained. 

Mikurak called the initiative “timely,” as the holidays are approaching. This means students will have more time to engage with their electronic devices during break. 

“Technology has reshaped the lives of children. Devices are central to their learning and social activities. But, it brings significant challenges,” he explained. “When JWB was created 80 years ago, stranger danger meant someone in a van offering candy to lure children away. Today, cyberbullies, human traffickers and online predators can enter homes 24/7 through a child’s phone, computer or gaming system.” 

According to JWB, research has shown that there is a “strong” link between online harassment and youth suicide. Suicide rates for individuals between the ages of 10 to 14 have increased 95% between 2000 and 2018. 

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri added that it’s important that caregivers “do their part” and ensure that the children they are responsible for do not do anything “detrimental” with modern technologies. 

“These kids are vulnerable, especially the young ones,” he said. “A lot of them don’t even know what they’re getting into until they get into it and then they find out that they are in deep trouble.” 

In Pinellas County alone, 1,800 sexual offenders and predators are monitored by the Sheriff’s Office every day. These individuals often reoffend. 

“Parents need to be educated about this. They really don’t know what they don’t know about what’s going on in this environment,” Gualtieri explained. “So, something like Parent ProTech is going to give the parents the tools to do their job to help us help them.” 

Pinellas County Schools superintendent Kevin Hendrick also spoke at the event and stressed that the platform is a way to encourage healthy discussions about technology. 

“While Pinellas County Schools provides a comprehensive digital responsibility curriculum to our children, we recognize that there are not a lot of resources for parents and that’s where Parent ProTech steps in,” he said. “We look forward to sharing these essential components, the knowledge and tools, to give parents the opportunity to help educate at home just as we educate at school.” 

To create a free Parent ProTech account, visit this link. 

Read the article as originally published at https://stpetecatalyst.com/jwb-and-sheriffs-office-collaborate-on-new-initiative/

Caregivers and parents in Pinellas County can now add a new tool in their toolbox when it comes to keeping their children safe online. A new coalition created by the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) that includes the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office intends to increase safety online through the use of an app meant to protect children.

Like most kids, when Natasha Duncan’s kids are done playing outside, it’s back inside to the tablets and online games.

“It is heavily monitored,” Duncan said. “My youngest is in homeschool so part of her online activity is through schooling, the Pinellas County school system. She did just start playing Roblox.”

The popular online video game is one of many listed on the new Parent ProTech app, meant to help parents like Natasha Dunkin protect her children. 

“It would be very helpful. I’m very interested in keeping my kids away from predators and all of their behaviors that seem to be all over the internet these days,” she said.

At JWB’s press conference, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said many parents have no idea about the online risks and need to be educated.

“Do you want your kid to be one of these stats? That’s why you should care,” Gualtieri said. “Because they need to be responsible, because these kids don’t know either, these kids are vulnerable, these kids have no idea of what they’re getting themselves into and this digital world is the playground for these predators.”

That’s why the Juvenile Welfare Board teamed up with the sheriff’s office and the makers of the app, Parent ProTech, to school parents about the dangers online.

“It allows the parent to better understand what they can do to help protect their child. So how do I set up parent controls? How do I put firewalls and blocks in areas that keep their kids out of those sensitive areas? So, it’s really giving parents the tools they need to go in and keep their child safe,” Juvenile Welfare Board Interim CEO Mike Mikurak said.

It’s a safety measure Rebecca Albert has already signed on for. She said that signing up for the free membership being offered was simple and so were the options offered.

“If only I had access to this tool several years ago when my child was first entering into the social world, if you will. He’s in high school now,” she said. “It’s really a library of resources, short videos. Sometimes it includes experts but it’s really about tips and tools that parents and caregivers can use to not only become informed about the different platforms their children are using but also ways to keep their kids safe.”

It’s a safety measure Duncan says she plans on taking full advantage of, especially with winter break approaching and the potential for more screen time.

Pictured Above: JWB, PCSO, PCS, Parent ProTech & Committed Partners posed at a December 8, 2025 press conference.

View the full coverage as originally published at https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/12/08/app-helps-protect-kids-online

Law enforcement agencies around Pinellas County are backing an initiative launched by the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) aimed at keeping kids safe online.

JWB announced that it is funding subscriptions to Parent Pro-Tech for Pinellas County parents and guardians.

What We Know:

Parent ProTech is an online platform that provides guides to parents and families about how to protect their children from online predators, cyberbullying and other threats.

The platform has an online library of videos and guides on parental controls, social media, AI and other topics related to children’s use of social media.

The JWB is funding annual subscriptions to the platform in an effort to encourage parents and guardians to take a proactive approach to online safety.

“It allows the parent to better understand what they can do to help protect their child,” Michael Mikurak, the Interim CEO, Juvenile Welfare Board said. “So, ‘How do I set up parent controls? How do I put firewalls?'”

Parent ProTech also aims to educate families on some of the commonly used apps and social media platforms and help parents figure out what questions they should be asking their kids.

“Who are you playing with?” Mikurak said. “And the answer is, My friend.’ Who’s your friend? Do I know them? Just that simple question alone will help potentially get a predator away from your child.”

Leaders with the company say their platform has even had to evolve with social media and new trends.

“Students using AI chatbots as emotional companions and relationship substitutes, and the alarming rise across the nation where these tools have encouraged self-harm and advise children to hide things from their parents,” Ashby Green, with Parent ProTech said.

What They’re Saying:

“This digital world is the playground for these predators,” Pinella County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said.

Gualtieri says this year, his office expects to investigate more than 100 child pornography cases, involving more than 1,000 counts of child pornography across the cases.

“And once they view that child pornography, then it builds from there, and they begin reaching out and contacting kids and grooming kids, and then they have contact, and before you know it, we have a really, really bad situation,” he said.

The sheriff says in the majority of cases they investigate involving victims of child predators, parents had no idea what was going on.

“Are they really monitoring? Do they really know? And that’s where something like Parent ProTech comes in, because parents need to be educated about this,” Gualtieri said. “Parents really don’t know what they don’t know about what’s going on in this environment.”

The Pinellas County Schools Superintendent, Kevin Hendrick, also backed this initiative. He says continue to push for more legislation at the state level surrounding online safeguards, particularly with AI.

How to Get Involved:

Parent Pro-Tech offers its platform in English and Spanish.

You can find more information about the platform and how to sign up here.

JWB is making annual subscriptions free for families in Pinellas County.

View the full Fox 13 coverage as originally published at https://www.fox13news.com/news/pinellas-sheriffs-office-parent-pro-tech-launch-online-safety-program-children

In a new Pinellas County partnership aimed at protecting children from online predators that is being described as “historic,” the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) is bringing together law enforcement, schools and child-welfare leaders to confront what they say is an escalating digital threat — and giving parents a free tool to help.

JWB Interim CEO Michael Mikurak announced Monday that the organization will offer every parent and caregiver in Pinellas County a free, one-year, bilingual subscription to Parent ProTech, an online training platform that explains emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and how predators exploit them

During JWB’s press conference, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said they’re on track to investigate more than 100 child pornography just in the county alone by the end of the year.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said investigators frequently see cases escalate quickly. Experts also said children spend more time on their devices during school breaks, like those on the horizon over the next few weeks. 

Risks particularly grow with children spending copious amounts of unsupervised time online, Gualtieri said.

“Once they view that child pornography, it builds from there, and they begin reaching out, contacting kids, grooming kids,” Gualtieri said. “Then they contact them. Before you know it, we have a really, really bad situation.”

Pinellas County currently has about 1,800 registered sex predators and offenders, many of whom reoffend through online platforms. That reality has left parents frightened, Gualtieri said, especially as technology evolves faster than adults can keep up.

“They don’t know how Snapchat works and all these other things that these kids are like this, sitting in a restaurant on it talking about it,” he said. “Some of it is basic stuff like what are you doing and who are you talking to, but the parents have no familiarity with the breadth, the scope of what’s out there and what these kids have access to. They need to know what it is before they know how to control it.”

JWB’s new countywide subscription to Parent ProTech will focus heavily on artificial intelligence — an area where educators say risks are climbing sharply.

“Students using A.I. Chatbots as emotional companions and relationship substitutes and the alarming rise across the nation where these tools have encouraged self-harm and advised children to hide things from their parents,” Ashby Green, chief financial officer of Parent ProTech said.

“We need to educate without assuming an A.I. Chatbot can do all the things for us,” Kevin Hendrick, the Pinellas County School Superintendent, added.

The Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) of Pinellas County is fully funding the program to ensure access for all families.

“Lots of children are being protected and supported by their grandparents who have no clue,” JWB Interim CEO, Michael Mikurak, said. “They’re barely able to use their phones, let alone think about what’s being used on the computers.”

Law enforcement is urging parents to be especially vigilant this holiday season, when many children receive devices like video game systems, computers or smartphones that allow them to communicate with strangers.

The launch of the program comes as Gov. Ron DeSantis promotes what he calls an “A.I. Bill of Rights,” aimed at countering what he described as an unregulated rise in artificial-intelligence dangers.  Florida’s legislative session begins in January.

See the full news coverage as originally published at https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/pinellas-county-parent-protech-historic-online-children-protection-online-predators/67-f2f4d125-29d2-4143-8c6a-0999e33c7a64

Tampa Bay 28 covered JWB’s December 8 press conference announcing a groundbreaking initiative to safeguard Pinellas County children online and equip families with vital support.

JWB is offering all Pinellas County parents, grandparents, and concerned citizens a free annual subscription to Parent Protech where they will find the latest expert tools to navigate their child’s technology safely.

Parent ProTech’s vast online library includes videos and guides on topics like parental controls, social media, AI, and more. Plus, their experts keep pace with developing digital trends, alerting families to new, emerging dangers on their child’s devices.

Superintendent Kevin Hendrick, also a JWB Board Member, spoke of Pinellas County Schools’ commitment to sharing this resource with their parents and parent groups, utilizing their communication channels, family liaisons, counselors, and more to help get this invaluable resource to Pinellas families.  

Watch the news segment here:

The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office introduced a new free program that will help protect children from cyber crimes.

The Juvenile Welfare Board has teamed up with the sheriff’s office to combat cyberbullies, human traffickers, and online predators by offering a free annual Parent Protech subscription to parents, grandparents and caregivers.

The initiative “safeguards Pinellas County children while online and equips families with vital support as students approach the holiday break, a time marked by increased device usage,” the sheriff’s office said.

To learn more about the program, visit app.parentprotech.com/jwb.

View the video segment and article as originally published at https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/pinellas-county-sheriffs-office-introduces-free-program-to-protect-children-from-cyber-crimes/amp/

As students prepare to swap classrooms for living rooms during the upcoming holiday break, local officials are warning that the most dangerous place for a child, may be sitting right in the palm of their hand. In a direct response to rising digital threats, the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office launched a massive initiative on Monday to give every family in the county free access to cyber security tools. 

The partnership, which includes tech safety platform, Parent ProTech, aim to secure devices before the inevitable spike in screen time that a company school vacations.

Effective immediately, the JWB is covering the cost for all Pinellas County parents, grandparents, and citizens to access a full year of Parent ProTech.

The platform serves as a dynamic resource library, offering video guides on setting up parental controls and navigating complex topics like artificial intelligence, social media, trends, and hidden apps used by predators.

During the announcement, JWB interim CEO Michael Mikurak drew a sharp contrast between the threats of the past and the digital reality of 2025.

“When JWB was created 80 years ago, ‘stranger danger’ meant someone in a van offering candy to lure children away,” Mikurak said. “Today, cyber bullies, human traffickers, and online predators can enter homes 24/7 through a child’s phone, computer, or gaming system, putting them in imminent danger.”

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri reinforced the urgency of the program, using a stark analogy for parents who leave devices unmonitored. “It’s like leaving your child’s bedroom window open, or your doors unlocked,” Gualtieri said. “Together, let’s put online predators on notice.”

The push for digital safety is driven by data that paints a concerning picture of modern childhood. Studies cited by the coalition indicate that children are averaging between 8 and 11 hours of screen time daily, a figure that often climbs when school is out.

Beyond the immediate risk of predation, the initiative is a component of the JWB’s broader Children’s Mental Health Initiative. Officials pointed to research correlating high social media use with a rise in cyberbullying and youth suicide. Data shows suicide rates among children aged 10 to 14 shot up by 95% between 2000 and 2018, a crisis the U.S. Surgeon General has linked to the digital environment.

The program is designed to move beyond simple warnings by providing actionable tools that evolve as fast as technology does. Parent ProTech updates its subscribers on emerging digital dangers, ensuring parents aren’t fighting yesterday’s battles.

Residents looking to utilize the resource can create their free account immediately by visiting app.parentprotech.com/jwb.

Read the article as originally published at https://www.tampafp.com/pinellas-county-leaders-unite-to-hand-families-free-defense-against-online-predators/

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast worked with St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) to open a new community food pantry at Jordan Park. The Jordan Park Community Food Pantry gives residents consistent access to groceries and household essentials during a time of financial uncertainty.

“This food pantry represents more than just access to essential groceries; it symbolizes our commitment to creating opportunities for stronger communities,” said SPHA President and CEO Michael Lundy in a media release. “With uncertainty surrounding SNAP benefits, this pantry will help fill the gaps.”

Leadership and Collaboration

Jordan Park is St. Petersburg’s first African American housing community and the oldest federal public housing project in Florida. It was originally built between 1939 and 1941. 

The idea for the food pantry began with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast. The team recognized the need through their after-school food program. According to the media release, SPHA Director of Social Services Kiara Lovett helped turn the vision into a weekly service.

“Having the pantry on-site eliminates many barriers,” Lovett said. “The pantry offers a sense of security for many households.”

A team of teens from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast manages the pantry each week. They stock, organize, and assist residents, gaining leadership and service experience.

“I am elated to see this pantry making a positive impact here,” District 7 Council Member Corey Givens Jr. said in a media release. “Local government can find solutions that are culturally affirming and empower residents to take control of their health and well-being.”

Jordan Park Food Pantry

The pantry operates with support from community partners including Dole, St. Pete Free Clinic, the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Partnership for a Healthier America, and the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation.

The pantry operates every Thursday from 3-5 p.m. at the Jordan Park Clubhouse (1245 Jordan Park St. S., St. Petersburg).

For more information or assistance, contact SPHA or visit the Jordan Park Clubhouse during pantry hours.

Read the article as originally published at https://thegabber.com/new-jordan-park-food-pantry-helps-during-snap-crisis/