For nearly 24 years, Lynne Whittington has been a constant source of leadership, stability and innovation within FamiliesFirst Network. Her journey reflects both the progression of Florida’s child protection system and her own unwavering commitment to strengthening services for vulnerable children and families.
As the director of system improvement & supports, Lynne oversees many of the core functions that ensure FamiliesFirst Network delivers high‑quality, compassionate care. Her areas of responsibility span training and policy, specialized case management, quality assurance, data and records management. Working closely with organizational leadership, she plays a critical role in supporting team members across the entire system, ensuring they have the knowledge, resources and guidance needed to serve families effectively.
24‑years of transformation
Lynne joined the organization at a pivotal moment and became a part of one of the first major privatization efforts in Florida’s child protection history.
“We knew the transition would be hard,” Lynne reflects, “but I also knew deep down that this change would lead to something better for the families and children we were entrusted to serve.”
FamiliesFirst Network was developed to manage child protective services across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties. This shift from a state-run model to privatized community‑based care was a new concept. Lynne saw opportunity.
Selected as the case management director, she helped guide the transition with a steady hand and a belief that a community‑based approach could better serve children and families. Looking back, she cites this as one of her proudest milestones. What once felt uncertain has proven successful for more than two decades. Throughout her tenure, she has seen systems evolve, teams grow and processes shift. Yet the most important part has remained unchanged: the culture of caring for one another and prioritizing the people served.
Leading the transition to community‑based care
Guiding the workforce through one of the earliest privatization efforts in Florida remains a defining achievement. Many doubted the model would last, yet today it stands as a testament to the dedication of leaders like Lynne. Her commitment to innovation and system improvements has helped the organization adapt to new challenges, refine processes and maintain high standards across all program areas.
Lynne highlights the FamiliesFirst Network Parent Advisory Council as one of her most meaningful accomplishments. The group she leads is composed of parents who once navigated the system themselves and now volunteer their time to give back. “No one understands this system better than the parents who have lived it firsthand,” Lynne shares. “Our goal is to help improve the system for families going through this experience and the workers who support them.” Their lived experience provides invaluable insight—helping shape better practices, strengthen family engagement and improve the support network for families who will walk the same path.
When asked how she approaches complex challenges, Lynne points to teamwork, persistence, and compassion as her guiding principles. No matter how difficult the circumstances, she remains driven by a deep belief that the mission—protecting children and empowering families—is always worth the effort. These experiences have molded her into a thoughtful, adaptable leader who understands that truly effective systems require both strong structure and genuine empathy.
Lynne encourages new team members to remember the impact of their role:
“Think about your role in the lives of the families we serve. Think about how you interact with them and how you would want someone to treat you—or your own family—during difficult times.”
She also emphasizes the importance of self-care, urging staff to take breaks, use their vacation time and recognize when they need to recharge. “Taking care of others starts at home,” she reminds us.
Lynne’s passion for improvement and commitment to growth remain as strong today as they were when she first joined the organization. Her leadership has played a defining role in shaping FamiliesFirst Network’s success—and her continued vision ensures the organization will keep evolving to meet the needs of children and families for years to come.
To work with dedicated team members like Lynne, visit our website: FamiliesFirst Network Careers.