We believe must do all that we can to ensure that our children are able to reach their full potential. We have a shared responsibility with the communities of Pasco and Pinellas to build the health and well-being of our next generation and secure a better future for our city. Healthy, nurturing, and supportive environments and experiences in childhood lay a stable foundation for lifelong health and development.
Our Mission, Vision and Values
Our mission is to be the leader in providing safety, stability, and quality of life for all children by working with the community to strengthen the family unit.
Our vision is that children grow up connected to their own families, supported by families and embraced by the community; that children have the opportunity to achieve in school and to learn to be productive citizens; and that citizens of Pasco and Pinellas counties, organizations and agencies recognize that child protection is a community responsibility and represents the best interests of all county residents.
Community-based care and why it works
The concept is simple. The more we invest in preventing abuse, preserving families, and reunifying families so that kids are not growing up in foster care, the more we succeed in helping our community thrive.
Community-based care is the result of a redesign of Florida’s Child Welfare System under the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)––an initiative that allows nonprofit agencies to provide child welfare services within their local community. It combines the outsourcing of foster care and related services to competent service agencies with an increased local community ownership of service delivery and design. This statewide reform increases accountability, resource development, and system performance. Currently, there are 17 lead agencies serving Florida’s 67 counties.
The transition to community-based care began in 1996, initiated by Governor Jeb Bush and the Legislature. By December 2005, all regions in Florida using the Lead Agency design, had implemented the community-based care model through a competitive procurement process.
Because every county is unique, they have their unique challenges. Serving children and families in their communities through individualized services, and strong community collaboration can yield better outcomes.
- Local supports can respond quickly and are more knowledgeable of a child’s needs in their own community
- Local resources allow for better leverage
- There’s more flexibility and autonomy to implement innovative solutions to respond to changing care demands
- Local case management organizations, CEOs and boards of directors have more staying power and commitment than that of centralized state-based care
As the number of children in care continues to drop, the more it proves that community-based care works.
Case Management Organizations
As the lead agency Pasco and Pinellas counties, FSS is responsible for administering, outsourcing and managing its services to the community, both directly and indirectly, in partnership with other local case management organizations (CMOs) and community partners. Together, we provide a comprehensive system of care to keep children safely in their homes. We mobilize to stabilize families without the need of intrusive and costly interventions.
In Pasco County we collaborate with Camelot Community Care, Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services and Youth and Family Alternatives.
In Pinellas County, our FSS CMO provides direct services to local children and families, and in partnership with Camelot Community Care, Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) and SailFuture. Diversion programs are provided through Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services and the LSF Connecting Family Paths program.
Our Values
Child-focused: The safety, permanency and well-being of children are the leading criteria in all child welfare decisions.
Family-centered: Children, parents and extended family members are involved as partners in all phases of engagement, assessment, planning and implementation of case plans.
Strength-based: Practices emphasize the strengths and resources of children, biological and extended families, and their communities.
Individualized: Case plans are individualized to address the unique needs of the child and family to appropriately address needs for safety and permanency.
Culturally competent: Problems and solutions are defined within the context of the family’s culture and ethnicity.
Comprehensive: Services address a broad range of family conditions, needs and contexts.
Community partnership-oriented: Planning and implementation of case plans are undertaken in partnership with caregivers, staff and agencies from different systems that together make a formal commitment to provide the services and supports the child and family need.
Outcome-based: There are measurable outcomes for services regarding the safety, permanency and well-being of children.
FSS Executive Team
Jenn Petion, President and Chief Executive Officer
Brian Zaletel, Chief Financial Officer
Natalie Clayton, Vice President and General Counsel
Chris Compton, Vice President Technology and Operating Services
Precious Hill, Vice President Human Resources
Jennifer Pendergraph, Vice President Case Management Services
Amanda VanLaningham, Vice President Quality Services
Tory Wilson, Vice President Placement Resources
Jada Hunter, Executive Director of Community Reinvestment
Carlos Cruz, Chief of Staff
FSS Board of Directors
Josh Nixon, Board Chair, Grant Thornton
Matthew Brockelman, Board Vice Chair, VyStar
Heather Poynter, Board Vice Chair, Donna Lynne Custom Homes
Dr. Michael De La Hunt, Nemours Children’s Health
Dr. Akilah Pope, Florida Department of Health (Duval)
Dr. LaTonya Summers, Jacksonville University
Susan Gottesmann-Jarzyna, Story & Song Bookstore/Bistro
Ryan Graff, First Tee
Asst. Chief Brian Kee, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
Jeff LaConte, Johnson & Johnson
Travis Ramsey, JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Kisha Shabazz, Macquarie Group
LaTanya Wynn-Hall, Lutheran Services Florida
Frequently asked career questions
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Are there any requirements to work at FSS?
Potential candidates are required to submit to a drug screening, a local background screening, and a Level II screening, which includes criminal background checks.
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What are the work hours?
Office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time, with a 30-minute lunch break. Individual schedules may be adjusted according to departmental requirements and employee preference, when possible.
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When can I enroll for benefits?
You are eligible for benefits the first of the month after being employed for 60 days.
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Do you offer a wellness program?
FSS is committed to supporting health and well-being. Programs and events such as Health and Wellness Lunch & Learns, on-site flu vaccinations and biometric screenings, a Weight Loss Challenge, a Health and Wellness Fair, and monthly newsletters are offered throughout the year at minimal or no cost to employees.
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How will I be paid?
The main form of payment is direct deposit. However, if an employee fails to complete the direct deposit information in the Paycom portal, a paper check or pay card will be sent to the employee’s home address on file.
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What is the holiday schedule?
We are closed on the following days for the 2023 calendar year. Employees also receive a floating holiday to be used within the calendar year at their discretion.
Date Observed Holiday January 2, 2023 New Year’s Day (Observed) January 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day May 29 Memorial Day June 19 Juneteenth July 4 Independence Day September 4 Labor Day November 13 Veterans Day November 23 & 24 Thanksgiving December 25 & 26 Christmas -
Is there a cost for parking?
Employees receive their initial parking pass at no cost.
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What is the dress code?
We adhere to a relaxed dress code. Employees are expected to maintain good personal cleanliness, attire, and hygiene. Employees should present a neat, professional appearance at all times and be well-groomed and dressed appropriately when in the office or traveling on Agency business.
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Is tuition reimbursement offered?
Yes, full-time employees with at least one year of service can participate in our tuition reimbursement program and receive up to $5,250 per year.
Careers
Please review our open positions and apply to join our team and our work to be advocates for children and families on the Suncoast (Pasco and Pinellas) and First Coast (Duval and Nassau).
FSS is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. FSS is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please call 904-265-8105.