School districts across the country felt some relief Friday afternoon when the U.S. Department of Education deemed its review of frozen federal funds was complete. The department announced it would begin releasing money to local districts next week after facing a lawsuit and bipartisan pressure.

Pinellas County school board chair Laura Hine credited the power of community input for the reversal.

“The unanimous interest from across our community in the funding of their schools — including our elected officials — was powerful and yielded results,” she said.

The night before, Pinellas County school leaders urged community members to rally for the release of those funds.

They presented what was at stake with an initial$9 million in funding being withheld from them by the U.S. Department of Education.

District Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said a little under $1 million had been recently released before Thursday for after-school and summer enrichment, and the state also released around $2 million in unspent rollover funds from the previous year. The district had around $1 million budgeted for unexpected expenses in the categories the funds are tied to. The Juvenile Welfare Board also stepped in to provide $600,000 toward mental health care services.

The fate of the remaining $5 million caused uncertainty for the coming school year.

Though the district said no employee would lose their job, 13 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) positions could have been eliminated and those employees would be reassigned. Four human resource positions were slated to be reassigned. Funding for professional development, new teacher mentoring and adult literacy and workforce education also faced cuts.

“The board unanimously believes that program reviews for compliance is completely reasonable,” Hendrick said Thursday. “What we argue is that the timing of this review is not reasonable. To do so the day before a fiscal year begins, when we’ve hired 47 people off of these grants into positions, is not a reasonable expectation.”

Community members had a chance to ask school officials questions about what comes next. Some asked if they could expect to not receive the funds at all.

“Could they be repurposed?” Hendrick said. “They could. Could they be never given out? They could. Might they be given out tonight? Maybe. But we don’t know.”

The abrupt halt in funding would have impacted teachers who rely on federal grants for professional development, classroom support and other benefits.

Former Pinellas County teacher Kristi Carroll is among the many educators who did not have an education degree when they began their teaching career. Professional development programs like the Transition to Teaching program she participated in are at risk of going away.

“(The program) was really, really helpful in becoming a teacher, because I was a history major, which helped me a lot when I was teaching history, but I needed to learn how to teach,” she said. “I was able to give my students what they needed, but I needed to learn the skill of being a teacher, because it is a skill.”

Sharon Johnson-Levy, school counselor for Bear Creek Elementary School in St. Petersburg, has been involved in the school system since 2010. Johnson-Levy said she believed it would be just the first of many cutbacks to the education system.

“Teachers have really taken a blow over the last few years,” she said. “There’s been a lot of support that has been lost way before this. And so there comes a breaking point where some one hero can keep things going, but how far does it go before things start to kind of not work?”

At the meeting representatives for both U.S. Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Kathy Castor expressed support and urged attendees to write letters to their lawmakers.

Danielle Shipp, who attended the town hall and has children in both charter and public schools in Pinellas, said she hopes more parents get involved.

“I just want to make sure our children’s education stays consistent, no matter the administration, whether it’s Democrat, Republican, independent,” she said.

Whitney Fox, whose first child is entering school in fall, said she thought the funding freeze was just the beginning and believed the federal government would bring more of Project 2025, a Republican policy blueprint from the Heritage Foundation, into fruition.

“This is just the beginning,” she said. “There is a plan that has been laid out very clearly. This should not be a surprise to anyone that this is happening. There are more cuts coming to public education. We should be incredibly alarmed. What will we do when the cuts continue to come?”

Hine, the Pinellas school board chair, encouraged the community to stay involved, even after the funds are released.

“Florida’s legislative session is around the corner,” she said. “Let the folks who make the funding decisions for our schools know that this matters to you — that these are your tax dollars, you believe in your schools and you want them funded.”

To read this article as it was originally published, visit https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/07/25/pinellas-school-leaders-rally-community-over-federal-funding-cuts/

Pinellas County Schools (PCS) officials held a community forum discussing the federal education funding freeze Thursday at the organization’s administrative building in Largo. 

On June 30, the U.S. Department of Education froze a total of $6.8 billion previously allocated education grant funds, including approximately $400 million statewide at the direction of the Trump Administration. PCS was to receive $9 million of the funds. 

The unexpected freeze came just a day before the start of the district’s fiscal year and a little more than a month before classes begin. 

The funds were “frozen for review with no timeline on when or if those funds would be released,” Kevin Hendrick, Superintendent, Pinellas County Schools said in the presentation. 

When Hendrick and the Pinellas County School Board reviewed the budget for fiscal year 2026 in June, they suspected federal funds would decrease “because of changing priorities in Washington D.C.” 

However, they “anticipated” receiving the federal grant funds that were ultimately frozen. Hendrick was clear that Pinellas County Schools officials are advocating for the release of the funds. 

“Program reviews for compliance are reasonable, the timing of this review is not reasonable,” Hendrick explained.  

The funds affected are Title II, Title III, Title IV and Adult Education and Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education-based grants. 

Title II, Part A funding supports programs that relate to professional development and instructional coaching. Funding under the Title III, Part A classification helps schools offer English language instruction for immigrant students and multilingual learners. 

Title IV, Part A funding is focused on providing children with a more well-rounded education through enrichment programs, mental health resources and technology. 

There is a Part B related to Title IV funding, which includes support for after-school and summer enrichment programs for qualifying students. Part B funds were released Monday. 

Adult Education and Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education funds back literacy and workforce readiness programs for adult learners. 

Decisions about the short-term future of programs and staff have had to be made quickly. “We don’t have a month, or two months or six months to figure this out. We have to act on this now,” Hendrick said. 

No PCS employee will lose their job and their salary will stay the same for the upcoming school year. However, some staff members will have to switch positions. 

“We have to find other places for those individuals and we have to find other ways to either eliminate or accommodate the programs that they were running or the support that they provided to our children in our county,” he added. 

For instance, 13 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers in the district will have to become vacant classroom instructors. 

Positions and salaries will be impacted in the 2026-2027 school year. Programs will be cut as well, including various professional development opportunities for teachers. Some enrichment activities, including a hands-on mobile STEM lab for middle school students, will be eliminated. 

PCS does have rollover grant funds from last year, roughly $2 million, that can be used to help with budget adjustments for fiscal year 2026. The organization also has about $1 million saved in reserved funds for unexpected expenses relating to education enrichment. 

Additionally, PCS has partnered with the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County to provide extra mental health services for students, which would have been covered by Title IV, Part A funding. The Board has made a contribution of $600,000 to fund the program. 

As for the long-term impact of the freeze, it is yet to be determined, Hendrick explained. The current budget cuts are in a draft stage and the funds could be released.  

The PCS team was able to get U.S. representatives Anna Paulina Luna of District 13 and Kathy Castor of District 14 to write letters to the federal government encouraging a release. 

 Eileen M. Long, Pinellas County School Board member, spoke honestly about the implications. 

“We are really feeling this impact. This is my 44th year here at Pinellas County Schools. I taught for 34 years,” she said. 

“This is heartbreaking. This is the only career I’ve ever known and I love our children. My two children are products of PCS and we all benefit from their education.” 

Read the article as originally published at https://stpetecatalyst.com/school-funding-freeze-explained-discussed-in-forum/

Nearly $6.8 billion dollars in federal education grants was frozen by the Trump administration. And $400 million is being withheld from Florida schools.

What You Need To Know

– $9 million in federal grants has been withheld from Pinellas County Schools 
– The school district hosted a community forum on July 24, 2025 to hear from concerned families
– The district said some programs are at risk
– This school year no jobs or salaries are impacted, but that is expected to change for the 2026-2027 school year

On July 24, 2025, the Pinellas County School District answered questions from the community about how it’s dealing with millions of dollars in funding being withheld.

There was a large turnout at the forum, with 200 people in the room and an additional 1000 in the overflow room. Plus, 850 people tuned in online to hear about how the district is dealing with the freeze of millions of dollars.

There was not a seat left in the as Pinellas County School families looked for answers about the funding freeze.

“I’m a mom that fights. So if I can go and protest by card, or if I can protest without a card just by voice, then I’m going to fight either way I have to,” said Brittnie Blunt, parent.

Blunt and her two middle schoolers wore signs to get the attention of the school board.

“So we’re here in protest to try to keep things going, to make sure that all the programs that they are in, will hopefully stay in,” Blunt said.

The school board said programs that enhance the middle school experience, increase professional learning for teacher retention, and provide enrichment in the arts, and more are at risk of changes or cuts.

The district said no one will lose their job, but about 40 people are employed through these grants, so their responsibilities will change for this school year. The district said salaries and positions will be impacted in 2026-2027.

“The reason we’re having this tonight is to advocate for the release of these funds, and to do so immediately so that school districts can move forward with their plans,” said Kevin Hendrick, Superintendent.

The U.S. Department of Education said it’s withholding the funds to make sure they align with President Donald Trump’s priorities. The superintendent said that’s reasonable, but the timing isn’t.

“The day before a fiscal year begins, when we’ve hired 47 people off of these grants into positions, is not a reasonable expectation,” Hendrick said.

Mental health services are also facing challenges. The juvenile welfare board, a taxpayer-funded organization aimed at helping children, is reallocating money so it can fund six therapists for the school district.

“Our mission has always been to, to create value and to ensure that the children of Pinellas County, that their education, their overall well-being is cared for,” said Michael Mikurak, Interim CEO, Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County

As for the rest of the programs at risk, there is no timeline on when or if the money will be released.

“We may not want it, but a lot of children need it,” Blunt said.

Nearly $1 million dollars in funding for after school programs has been released.

Read the article as originally published at https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/07/25/pinellas-county-schools-federal-funding

It may seem early, but the back-to-school buzz is in the air since Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas public schools all open their doors Aug. 11.

Florida’s back-to-school tax holiday runs Aug. 1-31 this year with sales tax withheld on learning aids and jigsaw puzzles ($30 or less), most school supplies ($50 or less), clothing, footwear and accessories ($100 or less), and computers and related accessories ($1,500 or less, for non-commercial use).

Here are some supply drives and back-to-school events coming up in the Tampa Bay area.

Free books: The Juvenile Welfare Board’s Summer Book Bus program is rolling through the area offering two free books to any kid who comes on board. From Tarpon Springs to south St. Petersburg, the JWB Book Bus will give away more than 10,000 brand-new books to 5,000 children in just 12 days. See jwbpinellas.org for the bus schedule.

Read the article as originally published at https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/2025/07/22/back-to-school-supply-drive-pinellas-hillsborough/

On Friday, February 14th, JWB hosted the annual Children’s Summit at St. Petersburg College with the theme “For the Love of Kids.” More than 200 community leaders, key influencers, and child advocates gathered to celebrate JWB’s impact and shared commitment to the children of Pinellas County. 

JWB Board Chair Judge Patrice Moore welcomed attendees, recognized board members, and shared briefly what JWB means to her. CEO Beth Houghton followed with highlights from 2024, noting that JWB-funded programs served nearly 80,000 children and families and partnered with dozens of organizations in initiatives and campaigns. 

Attendees then viewed the FY2024 Annual Report Video showcasing JWB’s investments, including 12 new programs aligned with strategic goals, expanded funding to stabilize the workforce, and increased outreach to families. The video also highlighted JWB’s rapid response to emergent needs, such as funding gaps and hurricane relief, as well as the strength of its partnerships in driving positive outcomes for kids. 

Beth and St. Petersburg College President Dr. Tonjua Williams then led an interactive Kahoot! game, testing attendees on key topics from the video. The top scorers included Jesse Turtle (SPC Foundation), Hunter Parkinson (6^th Judicial Court), and JWB Board member PCS Superintendent Kevin Hendrick. 

To conclude, attendees shared words describing their reactions to what they learned from the summit, forming a word cloud that included “informed, educated, inspired, and hopeful.”  

Each guest also received a children’s book to give away in honor of International Give a Book Day, thanks to Brianna Ray and Elicia Hinson, who curated several age-appropriate selections. A Grade Level Reading resource table, set up by Brianna, provided additional books and information. 

JWB extends gratitude to the Pinellas County School Board, government officials, partner agencies, board members, staff, and volunteers who contributed to this successful event. 

To view our 2024 Annual Report Video, click here. 

To view more event photos, click here. 

Mental illness costs the economy about $200 billion in lost earnings each year. That’s why it’s so important to normalize conversations about mental health, especially in the C-suite. Mental health is physical health, but too often shame and stigma prevent employees from seeking treatment. When leaders openly share their own emotional and mental health challenges, it models this behavior, so employees feel safe to do so as well.

In Tampa Bay Thrives’ 2023 Resident Mental Health Study, 14% (a 4% increase over the previous year) of respondents reported missing work due to a mental or emotional condition, and the typical employee missed 4 days per month. This corresponds to a loss of 524,500 workdays per month or 6.3 million workdays per year, a significant increase from 2022.

At The Mosaic Company, the world’s leading integrated producer of concentrated phosphate and potash, some company huddles begin with a mental health query: “How is everyone doing today? Let’s check on how you’re feeling.” It’s all part of a psychological wellness program rolled out by Mosaic three years ago that moves beyond the risk reduction environment to one that centers around overall wellness: physical, psychological, and financial health.

This year, Tampa Bay Thrives is partnering with companies such as, The Mosaic Company, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, and Polk County Board of County Commissioners, to guide them on their journey to becoming Bell Seal certified. The Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health is a national certification program recognizing employers committed to creating mentally healthy workplaces.

Mental health isn’t just about one person. It affects the entire family. Our generation of young people has experienced multiple traumatic events: the pandemic, school shootings, widespread environmental and natural disasters, and global humanitarian crises. More than half (54%) of all Mental Health America screenings were completed by children and young adults under 25, and screenings skyrocketed by over 594% from 2019 to 2022.

Parents with children under 18 make up 40% of the workforce, and, beyond that Gen Z-ers are the future of our workforce. If the kids are not alright, neither are working caregivers. 1 in 3 Tampa Bay residents does not feel comfortable talking with their children about mental health. The main reason is that parents fear they might upset their children or make them worry unnecessarily.

Tampa Bay Thrives has engaged over 1,000 individuals, youth, parents, teachers, and providers to support our children’s mental health and will convene stakeholders and leaders to build a transformational approach in 2024.
Tampa Bay Thrives needs CEOs, employers, and business leaders to join the mental health movement! You play a pivotal role in helping shape a more mentally healthy future. The benefits and culture around mental health support that you or your company provides can create the ripple effect that leads to saved lives and systems change.
Join the movement, together, for a better tomorrow.

Deputy Sheriff Tyler Wilson recalls how he overcame the stigma to seek help in our #IYKYK campaign.

“While serving my community as a Deputy Sheriff, I began to experience severe PTSD symptoms, including flashbacks, depression, and anxiety. I had been exposed to multiple critical incidents, one involving a shooting with a suicidal individual and another with a terribly violent traffic crash involving the death of multiple children. The flashbacks and other symptoms became so severe that I seriously contemplated taking my own life to end the pain.

I sought help through my Employee Assistance Program, only to find the counselor inept at dealing with the severity of the trauma I had experienced. I also met with a psychiatrist who quickly prescribed me strong and habit-forming medications, which didn’t feel like the right fit for me.

Luckily through perseverance, I found a therapist who better fit my needs, and she was able to help guide me out of the darkness. I was also blessed to be treated by a cutting-edge virtual reality treatment. These treatments are the reason I am able to share my story today. I am now fortunate enough to speak nationwide about my experience and assist others in their healing process.”

Read the article as originally published at https://tbbwmag.com/2023/12/06/the-economic-impact-of-mental-health/