
Thank you to the participants of the Foster Angel Tree at the Children’s Board! Community Stepping Stones and Senior Girl Scout Troop 1218 crafted foster angel ornaments that adorned the tree in the Children’s Board lobby. Each ornament had a tag with a name and gift requests of a child who has been separated from their family…
Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend – September 25, 2024 Disclaimer: This is sponsored content. All opinions and views are of the advertiser and do not reflect the same of WFTS. Advertiser: Children’s Board of Hillsborough County In the last decade, 208 infants have died from unsafe sleep in Tampa Bay. These deaths affect all families, from…
By Linda Chion – July 15, 2024 Imagine a public library next to a 24-acre park that includes a walking trail lined with displays that bring to life a child’s book, then visit the Seffner Comm“UNITY” Park and Gardens for a ‘StoryWalk’ experience maintained by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Brandon. That’s where kids and…
83 Degrees – Philip Morgan – Tuesday, December 19, 2023 This story is produced through an underwriting agreement between the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and 83 Degrees Media to spotlight the programs and individuals who make a difference in the lives of children and families in Hillsborough County. The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County,…
ABC Action News WFTS – September 20, 2024 Disclaimer: This is sponsored content. All opinions and views are of the advertiser and do not reflect the same of WFTS. Advertiser: The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children under the age of five. According to the…
Dear Community Partners,
Summer is here and I’m thrilled to see so many partners offering safe, enriching programming for children in our community. Together with Hillsborough County BOCC, the Children’s Board has been funding Summer Services for many years. These grants fund program enhancements in the areas of STEM, safety, character development, literacy, art, and fitness and nutrition. Partner agencies include The Family Enrichment Center, the Housing Authority of the City of Tampa, Redefiners World Languages, Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, and Gentlemen’s Quest.
In April, under the leadership of our Board of Directors, we began exploring options to expand summer camp opportunities with our partners if additional funds were available. We are pleased to share that several programs have been able to increase the number of summer camp slots with Children’s Board funding, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay, the YMCA, the Housing Authority.
The Boys & Girls Clubs, the largest expansion, created 422 additional camp slots at nine local clubs, including Belmont, Brandon, Dover, Freddie Solomon, Garcia Salesian, Riverview, Temple Terrace, West Plant City, and Wimauma. Their 8-week summer program offers a structured environment filled with educational activities, recreation, and social-emotional development opportunities.
Additionally in May, the Board approved a contract with the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County to fund a research-based six-week Summer Boost program for 430 preschool children. This program provides intensive reading and math supports to prevent the “summer slide” and better prepare children for kindergarten.
As the temperature rises and families flock to pools, lakes and beaches, it is important to make water safety a priority. Children can drown in as little as 20 seconds, so a few simple precautions can go a long way in keeping our kids safe. Installing barriers to prevent children from having direct access to water, designating a water watcher while children are in or near water, and enrolling children in swim lessons can make all the difference in preventing a tragedy. The Children’s Board proudly continues to fund water safety classes at High 5, Inc. For additional water safety information to keep kids safe, please visit www.preventneedlessdeaths.com.
Wishing you a safe and healthy summer.