As a valued member of the board of directors for our parent company, LifeView Group, Jerry Maygarden brings both personal passion and decades of community leadership to our mission. His commitment to service began long before his distinguished public career Raised by banker parents, Jerry’s first full-time job was in the financial sector, where he gained valuable […]

Scott is known throughout FamiliesFirst Network for always showing up fully, consistently and with a smile. His steady dedication to children, families and colleagues is a key reason why he was selected as the 2025 Team Member of the Year. Those who work with him describe him as the person you can count on in […]

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 […]

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, […]

Samantha Jones entered the field of child welfare with a mission to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. Twelve years ago, her mother became a foster parent to two children in what was intended to be a temporary arrangement. Today, those children are still part of their family. Witnessing their transformation from experiencing […]

For many young people, turning 18 means freedom and new beginnings. But for youth aging out of foster care, adulthood can feel overwhelming — and even frightening. The fear of being alone, unsupported or homeless is a harsh reality. That’s where FamiliesFirst Network’s Young Adult Services steps in, offering guidance, resources and stability to help young adults […]