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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.

Ladies laughing in kitchen
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 […]

Selfless Love Foundation supports foster care youth and adoption success at FamiliesFirst Network

Selfless Love Foundation supports foster care youth and adoption success

Pensacola, Fla. (Jan 15, 2024) – More children across Northwest Florida will find adoptive homes – and more youth aging out of foster care will be connected to the support they need – thanks to FamiliesFirst Network’s $20,000 grant from Selfless Love Foundation. Selfless Love Foundation has been a vital partner of FamiliesFirst Network since […]

Designated a 2025 Military Friendly® Employer

Pensacola, Fla. (Jan. 8, 2025) – LifeView Group – parent company of FamiliesFirst Network – has been named a 2025 Military Friendly® Employer. This marks LifeView Group’s third consecutive year earning this designation, signifying the organization’s commitment to the military and veteran community from hiring to career advancement.As a nonprofit family of companies, LifeView Group […]

headshot of bill on a winter background

Congratulations to FamiliesFirst Network Team Member of the Quarter, Bill!

Bill Ritter, System Support Specialist, has been named FamiliesFirst Network’s Team Member of the Quarter for his exceptional dedication and support. Bill goes above and beyond his duties, often stepping in to assist teammates during PTO, ensuring tasks are completed with the same care and attention he applies to all his work. Marisela DeWitt shared, […]

headshot of Jennie on a winter background

Congratulations to LifeView Group Team Member of the Quarter, Jennie!

Jennie Butler, benefits coordinator has been named Team Member of the Quarter for LifeView Group – parent company of FamiliesFirst Network – for her exceptional contributions to the annual Health & Welfare (H&W) audit at GCE, our affiliate providing career services for team members with disabilities. Over the past three years, Jennie has progressively taken […]

FamiliesFirst Network Adoptions team

FamiliesFirst Network receives national Adoption Excellence Award from Children’s Bureau

Pensacola, Fla. (November 21, 2024) – Local children awaiting adoption – and the Northwest Florida families eager to adopt – are in good hands, according to news from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. FamiliesFirst Network has received the national Adoption Excellence Award by the Children’s Bureau. This award recognizes the organization’s exceptional […]

Operation Santa logo

Operation Santa 2024

Santa’s elves have started planning for this year’s Operation Santa! We need your help spreading the magic of Christmas. This year, FamiliesFirst Network along with our community partners and faith community will help 2,000 local children who have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect. As one of Operation Santa’s helpers, you can make Christmas special for […]

Teen resource rooms for visitation with families

Local churches, nonprofits unite to support teens in foster care

Thanks to the collaboration of several area churches and nonprofit organizations, Walton County teens in foster care have a newly updated space to enjoy visitation time with their families. FamiliesFirst Network provides child welfare, foster care and adoption services, helping abused and neglected children from Walton to Escambia County. Seeing an increased need for supporting […]

Rubi Fournier DeJesus, unit manager for Escambia County case management, has been named Team Member of the Quarter for FamiliesFirst Network!

Congratulations to FamiliesFirst Network Team Member of the Quarter, Rubi!

Rubi Fournier DeJesus, unit manager for Escambia County case management, has been named Team Member of the Quarter for FamiliesFirst Network! Rubi never settles when it comes to engaging with parents and helping them along the steps to reunification. Her commitment extends equally to her team members, as she achieves near-perfect punctuality in completing supervisory […]