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 […]

Amberlynn’s story is one of resilience, determination and inspiration. Originally from New York state, she grew up with her parents and younger brother. Throughout her childhood, her parents’ relationship was unstable—splitting and reconciling until they ultimately separated. Amberlynn relocated to Florida with her father, but his struggles with substance misuse led to a cycle of […]

Pensacola, Fla. (Dec. 17, 2025) – FamiliesFirst Network’s parent company, LifeView Group, has earned the 2026 Military Friendly® Employer designation, marking the organization’s fourth consecutive year receiving this honor. This recognition underscores LifeView Group’s ongoing commitment to supporting the military and veteran community through hiring, career advancement and comprehensive services. As a nonprofit family of […]

When crises arise, Scott Sullivan, child welfare case manager, goes above and beyond. In a recent ICPC case, he acted immediately to secure temporary care for two children by transporting them to and from school, helping with meals and laundry, and even purchasing clothing— all to ensure they felt safe and supported. As his manager, […]

On Tuesday, November 11, our team took a well-deserved break from the office to enjoy a day at the beautiful Island Resort in Fort Walton Beach for the All-Staff Conference. The day was filled with laughter, team bonding, and games that brought everyone closer together. This event was not only about having fun but also an opportunity to strengthen our relationships […]

Heather Albright’s journey with FamiliesFirst Network began with her passion for working with children. As a preschool teacher, she frequently noticed that students who displayed challenging behaviors often came from difficult home environments and had adverse childhood experiences. “I always wanted to be a teacher,” she explained, “but I realized I wanted to help kids […]

Pensacola, Fla. (Oct. 31, 2025)- On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, more than 150 FamiliesFirst Network professionals will gather for All-Staff Day, a time dedicated to fellowship, learning and continuing education centered on supporting abused and neglected children in Northwest Florida. In addition to creating opportunities to share ideas and collaborating on enhancing the services we provide, […]

Pensacola, Fla. (Oct. 30, 2025) – Natasha Sluder has joined LifeView Group as director of development. In this role, Sluder will lead philanthropic initiatives supporting LifeView Group – a nonprofit family of companies that includes Lakeview Center, FamiliesFirst Network and Global Connections to Employment. Sluder brings nearly two decades of experience in communications, marketing and […]

For Megan Hays, benefits specialist at LifeView Group, parent company of FamiliesFirst Network, growth has been a natural part of her journey from the day she joined the organization. What began as a recommendation from a friend turned into a career spanning more than a decade of service, innovation and teamwork. “A friend of mine, […]