Pam Smith walked into Lakeview Center 55 years ago not knowing she would help shape the organization into what it is today. What started as a role answering the crisis line turned into a decades-long journey of leadership, service and professional growth. This July, Pam transitions into retirement, closing one of the most impactful chapters […]

When FamiliesFirst Network’s Hannah Cole began her career in child welfare, she didn’t realize how this field of work would shape her life. Starting with case management, Hannah spent more than 5 years working alongside families during some of their most difficult moments. Last year, an opportunity arose, transitioning Hannah to the position of adoption […]

On Tuesday, May 6th, FamiliesFirst Network proudly hosted its 20th Annual Child Welfare Conference! We are grateful to everyone who joined us for an informative and inspiring day where speakers discussed past accomplishments, present challenges and the future potential of child welfare. Thank you to our host, Gateway Church of Christ, and to all of […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]