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Stories

For more than 20 years, FamiliesFirst Network has served children who have been abused or neglected in Northwest Florida. In our 2023 fiscal year:

Our team members share our mission of “helping people” every day. Some of their stories are below.

All interview requests must be made through our Marketing and Communications department. For assistance, please call 850-503-8164.

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FFN logo with words, "Spring Fling" on a background with a bright blue sky and spring flowers.

Community Spring Fling Event

Get ready for the FamiliesFirst Network Spring Fling! This free, family-friendly event is open to the public and packed with fun. Enjoy exciting Easter egg hunts, crafts, games and food. When: Saturday, April 12, 2025, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Where: (TAC Building) 1201 W Lakeview Ave, Pensacola, Florida 32501 Easter Egg Hunt Schedule: 12PM-12:15 […]

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Professional growth journey: Judy Sands

Judy Sands’ journey at FamiliesFirst Network is a testament to her dedication and a lifelong passion for service. Growing up in a close-knit community, she always felt drawn to helping others. Initially, she pursued a career in early childhood education, earning an Associate of Arts degree and a Child Development Associate credential. However, after gaining […]

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Professional growth journey: Lindsey McGriff

For 20 years, Lindsey McGriff has dedicated her career to supporting others and helping the organization grow. Now serving as LifeView Group’s manager of Quality Systems and Data Analysis, she oversees audit tracking, policy and procedure management, accreditation preparation and reporting to ensure continuous improvement within the company. Lindsey’s path to LifeView Group was shaped […]

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Amy has been named FamiliesFirst Network Team Member of the Quarter

Amy Weeks, child welfare case manager, exemplifies our values in everything she does. Her journey from family support worker to case manager has been marked by dedication and excellence—evident in her completion of certification in less than the allotted 10 months. Now, as a leader in her field, Amy has achieved the highest number of […]

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Growing professionally: Beverly Orezzoli

Beverly Orezzoli’s career in child welfare at FamiliesFirst Network spans over two decades, beginning as an intern before transitioning into case management. From her early role working with families in out-of-home care to becoming an adoption supervisor and now a team manager for case management, Beverly has dedicated her career to advocating for children and […]

adoptions team

FamiliesFirst Network Adoptions team honored as Team Member of the Year

FamiliesFirst Network’s adoptions team has been recognized as Team Member of the Year in honor of their dedication and impact in helping children find loving, permanent homes. Their hard work was further validated on a national level with the prestigious Adoption Excellence Award from the Children’s Bureau, part of the U.S. Department of Health and […]

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Laura Goodall-Brown has been named LifeView Group Team Member of the Year

Laura Goodall-Brown, HR-IS manager, has been named LifeView Group Team Member of the Year! Laura plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of our team member data and ensuring our HR systems run efficiently. Her dedication and leadership have made a lasting impact on our organization. Laura sought a career with LifeView Group because […]

Nemours Children's Specialty Care transforms FamiliesFirst Network visitation space

Nemours Children’s Specialty Care transforms FamiliesFirst Network visitation space

Thanks to Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, parents and children utilizing the Escambia County FamiliesFirst Network service center will now enjoy a newly decorated and welcoming visitation space, plus much-needed amenities supporting foster families. When a child is removed from their biological parent’s home, reunification is the primary goal whenever possible. Visitation plays a crucial role […]

Winter Storm Updates

Winter Storm in Northwest Florida

We are proud to report that all operations will resume as normal on Monday, Jan. 27. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated team members across all departments who stepped up to provide continuous coverage for those we serve. From maintaining critical operations to offering assistance for those in need, our culture of compassion, teamwork […]