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/

One in five kids will be bullied in school, and of those kids, close to half think it will happen to them again. 

Over the summer in Pinellas County, there was such an increase in kids needing help that the Children’s Home Network’s Pinellas Support Team was expanded to take on more students.

Students like 12-year-old Elwood Rogers, who is in the sixth grade. 

Last school year was very tough for him.

“In fifth grade, kids started calling me more names, and some of them almost put their hands on me if I didn’t run away from them quick enough,” said Rogers. 

Rogers was bullied. He is autistic, and it got so bad his mom, Amy Wright, reached out to teachers. 

“You don’t want to hear this type of stuff going on, you know, and it breaks your heart and you think, ‘Gosh, what else can you do?'” said Wright. “You think, ‘Should I change schools or whatever?'”

Wright said administrators did step in, suggesting Rogers and those involved receive mental health counseling through the Pinellas Support Team (PST). 

“So we provide in-home and in-school services for kids who are having behavioral and emotional issues,” said Carol Hajdinak, a community counseling programs director at the Children’s Home Network. 

PST connected Rogers with a licensed clinical social worker, Ginger Wells. 

Rogers admits that at first, the thought of therapy didn’t sit well with him. 

“I honestly thought it was going to be like an invasion of personal space,” said Rogers. “But then when the whole thing actually started, I thought it was more fun than I could have ever imagined.”

Over cards and other games, Wells and Rogers talked about the bullying that Rogers was experiencing. 

“Some of the things that we worked on was learning how to express himself appropriately, using language that is appropriate and won’t get him in trouble and then also seeking help if it’s beyond his ability to handle himself,” said Wells. 

The PST program is not new — it’s been around for 20 years helping Pinellas County kids. 

“We’re funded to provide services to 250 kids a year,” said Hajdinak. 

She added that this year the PST program was inundated with bullying referrals to the point kids were on a waiting list. 

The PST program organizers turned to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, which funds the program. 

Hajdinak said they asked to expand the program from 250 to 300 kids. 

“They were gracious enough to provide us some additional funds so that we didn’t have long waiting lists of like, 35 people waiting for services,” said Hajdinak. “Currently, we still have some on the waiting list.”

Rogers is a success story to a problem that is not going away. 

“I’d say, you know, I don’t know the exact statistic, but I say the vast majority of kids that I work with at some point have experienced bullying,” said Wells. 

For Rogers, therapy has worked tremendously. 

“You shouldn’t let these other people define who you are. You need to be who you need to be,” said Rogers. “If other people don’t like you, womp womp, too bad. Too bad. It’s not my fault that I’m who I am. I’m not changing myself for you. Womp, womp.” 

A new mantra for Rogers: “Womp, womp.” It is his way of putting bullying in its place. 

The Pinellas Support Team services are short term, helping kids for three months. 

The Children’s Home Network says it is also meant to help families without health insurance, or those who have barriers to obtain needed services, like a high co-pay.

Watch the segment and read the article as originally published at https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/11/02/bullying-pinellas-support-team

There are food banks and pantries throughout the state, including mobile pantries for those unable to travel. And many financial institutions offer emergency assistance services and free financial counseling.

Two federal judges are telling the Trump administration to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program using contingency money.

Friday’s rulings came a day before the U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to the country’s biggest food program due to the ongoing government shutdown.

But the judges gave the administration leeway on whether to fund the program partially or in full for November, which leaves 42 million Americans — including nearly three million Floridians — who receive assistance potentially in limbo.

Tasha Cohen-Glynn, a community outreach liaison for a local credit union, said that there are multiple backup plans that many people may not have considered.

“It’s time to tighten your budget and stock up on essentials,” she said. “Families need to seek short-term relief options and prepare.”

There are food banks and pantries throughout the state. Mobile pantries are available for those unable to travel.

Many financial institutions offer emergency assistance services and free financial counseling for their members.

Some food delivery services, like DoorDash, are waiving delivery fees to those with a valid SNAP or EBT card, and a growing number of Tampa Bay area restaurants are offering free meals to children in need.

Cohen-Glynn said it’s okay to seek out help if you need it.

“I want people to know that local help is available, it’s accessible without judgment,” she said. “A lot of times people feel, and I think they let their pride get in the way in receiving assistance that we need. But this is exactly what we’re here for.”

But, beyond seeking external help, Cohen-Glynn said there are other steps people can take.

“Look for ways for your meals to go further by buying in bulk when you can and planning your meals in advance,” she said. “You should also set a small savings goal for when things like this happen again.”

Here are some sources for assistance:

A large number of national and statewide organizations offer searchable databases of food banks:

• Feeding Florida
• Salvation Army
• Ampleharvest.org
• Food Finder
• Feeding America
• Share Food Program
• Full Cart

The Too Good To Go app is a free app designed to reduce food waste by connecting users with restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, and cafés that have unsold surplus food left at the end of the day. You just have to create an account and enter your zip code.

In the Tampa Bay area,

• Metropolitan Ministries is beginning to register families who need Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties.
• Feeding Tampa Bay plans to use its grocery store at the Causeway Center at 3624 Causeway Blvd. in Tampa as an emergency food support site for families who rely on SNAP starting Nov. 3. It also has a series of emergency response events scheduled from Nov. 3-8 across the greater Tampa Bay region.
• First Contact, formerly known as Tampa Bay 211 Cares, offers rental or social assistance.

In Pinellas County,

• St. Pete Free Clinic offers an interactive map of Pinellas County allowing people to search by zip code to find the closest food resource. It also plans to offer extended hours in its
• The Free Clinic’s We Help Services FRESH Pantry offers fresh, nutritious produce, meats, food staples, and hygiene items for free to any Pinellas County resident in need through an indoor choice option and two drive-thru options. They also plan to extend hours of service at its FRESH Pantry on Nov. 4.
• Positive Impact St. Pete offers free groceries every Saturday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at 1770 22nd St So. in St. Petersburg.
• The Juvenile Welfare Board offers assistance in paying electric, water, or gas bills, as well as with other basic needs, such as transportation and diapers.

In Pasco County,

• Pasco County Continuum of Care has a number of food pantries.
• Hudson Community Health & Resource Center has a pantry, clothing closet, resource hub and offers dental, medical and mental health services for children.

And a number of Tampa Bay area restaurants are offering free meals to children in need:

• All Chicken Salad Chick locations in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando counties, as well as its Bradenton location
• BurgerMonger locations in St. Petersburg, Wesley Chapel, and Safety Harbor
• Gigglewaters at 737 Main St #104 in Safety Harbor
• Jack Willie’s Bar, Grill & Tiki at 1013 St Petersburg Dr W. in Oldsmar
• Cracker’s Bar & Grill at 502 Northwest 6th Street in Crystal River
• Orange Blossom Cafe at 2101 Multrees Crossing in Dunedin
• The Living Room locations in Wiregrass and Dunedin

This list will be updated as more information becomes available.

View the article as originally published at https://www.wusf.org/economy-business/2025-10-31/in-case-snap-benefits-temporarily-end-here-are-some-places-to-find-help

Millions of low-income Floridians rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to get essential groceries. With the government shutdown approaching nearly a month, SNAP benefits were scheduled to be suspended Saturday.  

Twenty-five state governments collectively sued the Trump Administration Tuesday because it chose to halt SNAP assistance. 

In the hours before two federal judges ruled that federal food subsidies must continue, several Tampa Bay area organizations and restaurants were prepared to deal with a worst-case scenario. 

Nonprofit St. Pete Free Clinic was already seeing the impacts of the situation. The organization’s pantry locations serve over 30,000 people monthly. The number of individuals have increased recently, said executive director Jennifer Yeagley. 

Over the last two weeks, the organization has served approximately 700 more people.  Roughly 65 percent of these individuals were first-time visitors. 

SPFC plans to extend operation hours for its We Help FRESH pantry, at 863 3rd Ave North on Tuesday evenings. 

Two mobile food distributions are scheduled for next month, Yeagley added. An event in partnership with BayCare and the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County will be held at BayCare’s Clearwater corporate office, at 2985 Drew St., Nov. 8. 

A drive-through event is also scheduled Nov. 22 at the We Help FRESH pantry. 

“What we are committed to doing is monitoring what the need looks like in real-time so that we can then continue to make adjustments and expand services as needed in where we’re seeing the highest spikes,” she said. 

Karen Rae, executive director of nonprofit Positive Impact ST. PETE, wants families and individuals to know that it’s okay to ask for assistance. 

“During this period of time, it’s humbling for people to have to come out and seek support,” she said. “We want to give those families that are faced with hard times the dignity and support that they deserve to be given.” 

The nonprofit, in collaboration with organization partners including St. Pete Free Clinic, hosts a free grocery distribution event every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Tangerine Plaza (1794 22nd St. S.). 

Pia’s Trattoria, located in Gulfport, was planning on offering a free meal starting Saturday for families in need. 

“This government shutdown is affecting some of our neighbors like the hurricanes we went through last year,” said owner Pia Goff. “People are scared and need to know that the community is there for them. If we all help together, we are all better for it. It’s simple, really.”

St. Petersburg-based Love Thy Neighbor Community Market owner Joanne Braccio was also already starting to see the effects of a potential suspension. She said her food pantry got “hit really hard” Thursday with long lines.

Tampa-based Skipper’s Smokehouse is another restaurant that was willing to help local families. It planned to offer free kids meals Thursday through Sunday until SNAP benefits were restored. Additionally, the restaurant partnered with nonprofit Feeding Tampa Bay to collect non-perishable food supplies for community members. 

“It’s not about politics – it has absolutely zero to do with that for us. It just has to do with being present for our community,” managing partner Cricket Larson said. 

“There’s no way for us to embrace all of the folks who are going to need help. We can’t afford to do that. But the thought of a child, who can’t fend for themselves and is at the mercy of adults, going to bed hungry is just not something I could do nothing with.” 

Read the article as originally published at https://stpetecatalyst.com/local-organizations-prepared-for-a-potential-snap-suspension/

For years, the Clearwater Neighborhood Family Center has been more than just an after-school program for families in the city’s North Greenwood neighborhood. It’s been a second home.

“When you become a parent, everybody tells you that it takes a village,” said parent Amber Nunez.

Clearwater Neighborhood Family Center is part of that village.

Her three children have grown up in the program, and they’ve been surrounded by staff who’ve become like family.

But now, that “village” is facing major change.

Last week, the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB), a countywide special taxing district that strengthens the lives of Pinellas County children, voted to terminate the center’s contract by the end of the year.

The welfare board, which provides more than $800,000 in taxpayer dollars each year to the Clearwater Neighborhood Family Center, cited serious concerns about the organization’s management and finances.

In a report to its board, the JWB said nearly 60% of documents provided during a recent audit were “insufficient or incomplete.” The agency also cited ongoing leadership instability, including board resignations and missing meeting records, as reasons for ending its funding agreement.

Despite that decision, the JWB says the after-school and family programs will continue. The agency plans to transfer operations to the City of Clearwater and Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center, which already manages similar programs at the same recreation complex.

Still, that news is unsettling for families like Nunez’s and for longtime employees who worry about what the transition will mean.

“It feels like we’re getting punished for something we had nothing to do with,” said staff member Morgan Morris. “We are the heart of this community. We don’t want to go anywhere.”

Another staffer, R’neeshia Brown, said the job is about more than a paycheck.

“It’s just the relationship and the family connection I’ve built with this organization,” she said.

Parents say those relationships are what make the center special.

“When he’s here, he’s just more like, ‘Okay, I can be myself,’” said Gerald Thomas, whose 2nd-grade son is in the program. “These ladies are like family.”

JWB says current employees will have a chance to apply for positions with the city once the transition takes effect.

Former executive director Terry Jones, who was terminated by the nonprofit’s board in August, maintains that he was wrongfully let go and denies any misuse of funds. The current board president, Lisa Harris, says she supports JWB’s decision and hopes the transition will stabilize services for families.

Meanwhile, the nonprofit’s internal leadership remains in dispute. Current staff, including Morris, say they’ve turned a new leaf and removed the former leadership, including longtime board president Lisa Harris, whose name was recently taken off the center’s website.

“Everybody that had something to do with what was happening beforehand, they are no longer attached to this organization,” Morris said.

However, Harris insists she’s still the rightful board president and says she’s sent a letter firing the new director who tried to remove her. It’s a sign of the ongoing instability surrounding the nonprofit’s leadership.

Through it all, parents like Nunez are left waiting and hoping that whoever runs the program next will keep the caring staff who’ve become part of their children’s lives.

“This is the only place my daughter has known,” Nunez said. “She really loves the ladies here.”

View the segment and read the article as originally published at https://www.tampabay28.com/news/region-pinellas/parents-worry-beloved-clearwater-after-school-program-could-lose-its-heart

This week is the first of three opportunities for Pinellas County families to get free groceries at drive-through mobile pantries.

The program, part of a partnership with the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) and the St. Petersburg Free Clinic (SPFC), is designed to address food insecurity and mitigate the financial strain on residents facing high costs of living.

Each household receives approximately 50 pounds of food, including fresh produce, proteins, dairy, and shelf-stable essentials, according to SPFC and Feeding Tampa Bay.

All Pinellas County residents who demonstrate need qualify. While specific requirements may vary based on whether USDA-TEFAP food is distributed, residents are generally advised to bring photo identification and proof of residency (e.g., a utility bill with a current address).

The Family Center on Deafness (5175 45th St. N, St. Petersburg) hosts the first drive-through on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Distribution events are also set for Nov. 20 and Dec. 18.

Outside of scheduled mobile distribution events, Pinellas County residents can access food resources at St. Pete Free Clinic and Feeding Pinellas Empowerment Center.

For updates on mobile food drop-offs and a directory of local food pantries, visit feedingtampabay.org.

Read the article as originally published at https://www.cltampa.com/news/pinellas-residents-can-get-50-pounds-of-free-fresh-groceries-this-thursday/

Michael Mikurak has been the interim CEO of the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County since June. With over 30 years of experience in business, he has focused on creating future-thinking strategies for the organization. 

JWB, which was established by a special act of the Florida legislature in 1945, develops and invests in programs and initiatives that support local children. 

Mikurak was first appointed to JWB’s board in 2013. He held several positions including Board Chair, Vice Chair and Finance Committee Chair before his term expired in April. 

“Coming into the role with the background and knowledge I had from a board member’s perspective, I was able to take that and really begin to move forward quickly in identifying areas of change and where we can enhance the value and benefit.” 

For Mikurak, the job is a passion project. 

Growing up in Trenton, New Jersey in a poor but loving family, he saw firsthand the impact of community. “What was really valuable about my upbringing was the communication, collaboration and the belonging that neighbors had.” 

Support from family and friends allowed Mikurak to pursue a business career and he eventually became an international consulting partner at Accenture plc. 

“That’s what makes JWB so important. Because we have the opportunity to really help kids become who they want to be.” 

Mikurak views the organization as a “retail company” with customers. Those clients are the children as well as the providers and nonprofit agencies JWB supports. 

“In essence, we have to be flexible and understand the issues that are going on within the community, the families and the children themselves,” he explained. “We have to prepare to develop programs that are supportive to create this neighborhood thought and environment.” 

Serving children throughout their adolescence is key, Mikurak said. When organizations come together to educate the young population about career fields, this can have a lasting impact. 

For example, Mikurak argued that giving middle school students skill training in technical industries such as plumbing can ensure job security. 

This should be a team effort between for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, Mikurak continued. 

“My vision is to weave them together to create an environment where we can actually work closely with everyone in the community to drive economic development and high-quality lifestyles,” he explained. “JWB can’t be the funder of everything, but we could be the integrator and thought leader.” 

Mikurak believes JWB can also be a test ground for programs. To exemplify, he spoke about the organization’s Turbo Babies initiative, which focuses on learners between the ages of zero and three. 

According to the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, 80 percent of a child’s brain is developed during their first 1,000 days. The program provides parents with tips and activities to aid in their child’s growth. 

As for Mikurak’s future at JWB, he hopes to lead the organization long-term if the board desires. 

“In my past experience in my consulting business, I didn’t just build strategies. I worked there to implement them,” Mikurak said. “So that’s what I want to do. I would be very happy if the board decided to drop the interim title.” 

Read the article as originally published at https://stpetecatalyst.com/interim-ceo-wants-juvenile-welfare-board-to-thrive/

The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County recently announced a new slate of officers, with each serving two-year terms.

Division Chief James Millican now serves as the JWB Board chair. He was appointed to the JWB Board by former Florida Gov. Rick Scott in 2017.

Kristen Gnage was named board vice chair. She was appointed to the JWB Board in 2023 by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Bruce Bartlett continues to serve in the role of JWB Board secretary. He served as chief assistant state attorney for 28 years until his appointment as the state attorney of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court by DeSantis in 2021.

Patrice Moore, Circuit Court judge with the Sixth Judicial Circuit, concluded her term as JWB Board chair on Sept. 20. She continues to serve as an ex-officio member of the JWB Board.

Read the article as originally published at https://www.tbnweekly.com/pinellas_county/article_d966e59f-8ed7-4765-9a75-962084e12ea9.html

Dozens of Tampa Bay business leaders recently attended a Bosses for Babies Breakfast [in Clearwater].

The event was hosted by the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County and the Florida Children’s Movement.

Attendees discussed various early-learning initiatives promoted by the statewide Bosses for Babies program.

Guests included Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Kevin Hendrick, St. Petersburg College President Tonjua Williams, and many other area officials.

…Bosses for Babies encourages companies to adopt family-friendly workplace practices.

PHOTO CAPTION: Tampa Bay Bosses for Babies Champions (L-R): Faith Bornoff – Pinellas County Licensing Board; Dr. Ulyee Choe – Florida Dept. of Health in Pinellas County; Mary Jo Plews – Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas County; Maris Mowat – Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County; Lisa Huff – Learning Empowered; Dr. Frederick Hicks – Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County; Matt Spence – Learning Independence for Tomorrow (LiFT); Madeleine Thakur – Children’s Movement of Florida; Dianne Jacob, PNC Bank (Retired); Michael Mikurak – Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County; Amanda Payne, Amplify Clearwater; Katie Roder-Turner – Family Healthcare Foundation; Jean Pierre – Suncoast Center; Kristen Arrojo Gnage – Florida Council Against Sexual Violence/JWB Board Vice Chair; April Lott – Directions for Living; Jake Hornstein – Our Children Have Rights; Elodie Dorso – Evara Health; and Ric Banciella – Children’s Movement of Florida/Bosses for Babies

Read the article as originally published at https://www.tbnweekly.com/clearwater_beacon/article_fb6c5ccf-8c74-4871-81db-932b25f21631.html