In May 2026, Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) joined child welfare leaders from across Florida at the Annual Florida Institute for Child Welfare Symposium at Florida State University. The conference brought together professionals, advocates, and volunteers committed to strengthening Florida's child welfare system.
This year's theme was prevention: promoting safety, well-being, and thriving families before crises occur. Prevention services reduce the risk of abuse, neglect, and unnecessary family separation while avoiding the need for more costly interventions later.
Gulf Coast was invited to share how philanthropy can spark innovation and foster prevention efforts. I was honored to represent Gulf Coast through my participation on the “Creating Connected Systems That Help Families Thrive” panel, which highlighted local, state, and national strategies for building stronger support systems.
Philanthropy plays a unique role by funding promising ideas before public dollars are available. Once innovative programs demonstrate positive results, government funding can help expand them. Collaboration across sectors allows communities to respond earlier and reduces long-term costs.
The Power of Peer Support
As part of the presentation, I shared about Gulf Coast's partnership with NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties to build a network of Parent Peers who walk alongside parents navigating the child welfare system.
Through Gulf Coast's Mental Health Initiative, the Foundation helped launch the Parents for Parents program at NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties, adapting a successful model from Washington state. Today, Parent Peers provide encouragement, guidance, and practical support to families involved in the child welfare system.
Because Parent Peers are hired for their lived experience, some candidates require a background screening exemption related to past legal involvement before they can be employed. Although these exemptions recognize an individual's rehabilitation and ability to serve effectively, the approval process can take years. Philanthropic funding helps bridge the gap until Parent Peers are eligible to receive public funding.
Thanks to generous donors and NAMI's leadership, the program has grown rapidly. Evaluators at the University of South Florida found that parents who participated in Parents for Parents were more likely to reunify successfully with their children in Sarasota County, with greater participation linked to even higher reunification rates.
Learning Through Collaboration
The Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto delegation at the conference included professionals and parent advocates who exchanged ideas with colleagues from across the state. Workshops highlighted practical strategies for launching programs, strengthening collaborative partnerships, and expanding prevention efforts. The conference also emphasized caring for those doing this challenging work by offering wellness activities including chair massages and sound meditation.
Parent of the Year
One of the conference's most memorable moments came during the Child Welfare Professional of the Year Awards, when a Parent of the Year Award was presented for the first time. Ryan Trout, a Sarasota-area father and NAMI Parent Peer, received the inaugural award while surrounded by fellow Parent Peers.
Ryan, who describes himself as a recovering addict with firsthand experience in the dependency system, now mentors fathers facing similar challenges. "I felt hopeless, alone, and had no male mentors," he shared. "I want to provide hope and inspiration with tangible results. I'm an example of what's possible. Parents can rebuild themselves."
His story reflects the strengths-based approach behind Parents for Parents and the impact of investing in people uniquely equipped to help others succeed.
Authentic Connections
One evening, Parent Peers, their families, and supporters gathered over pizza to share stories and laughter. It was a reminder of what this hard work is all about: ensuring no one feels alone in their challenges.
By investing in parents, building partnerships, and empowering people with lived experience, Gulf Coast supports families today and builds healthier, more resilient communities for generations to come.
