Strides for Suncoast children and families

Largo, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2025) – Family Support Services (FSS) marked three years of serving families in Pasco and Pinellas counties with an intimate anniversary celebration in Dunedin on Thursday, Feb. 27, at Dunedin Mix. Tasked with a “cannot fail mission” by then-Secretary Shevaun Harris of Florida Department of Children and Families three years ago, FSS has remained steadfast in its commitment to strengthening families, prioritizing reunification, and securing permanency for children.

Since assuming responsibility for the Suncoast child welfare system in January 2022, FSS has achieved transformative milestones, including:

• A 55-percent reduction in the number of children in out-of-home care, down from 2,670 children in 2022 to 1,200 children in February 2025
• Foster parent inquiries surged from 15 to 73 per month, representing a 387% increase and totaling 873 prospective homes, thanks in part to regular information sessions and a robust advertising campaign including billboards, digital ads and even a bus wrap
• FSS Suncoast Adoption team members finalized more adoptions than any single agency ever has in one year, helping children find loving, permanent homes

The anniversary event brought together community partners, staff, and supporters who have played a vital role in these successes. The agency is looking ahead to advocacy months with community engagement in the spring and summer, including a Child Abuse Prevention Month education series in April that is open to the community and a Foster Parent Appreciation Month event in May for their licensed caregivers.