Frequently Asked Questions
What does "JWB" stand for?
JWB stands for "Juvenile Welfare Board." That is the original name of the JWB Children’s Services Council.
What is JWB?
JWB is a county-wide special taxing district that applies the community’s property tax investment in the welfare of it’s children.
What does the JWB Children’s Services Council do?
The JWB Children’s Services Council works to improve the lives of Pinellas County children. This is done through identifying factors that have a negative impact on youth and meeting those challenges with programs and services that can help children succeed. In addition, JWB advocates for children’s interests wherever needed. JWB does not provide direct services to children, but contracts with agencies who have specific expertise in the services and programs that are needed.
What are some challenges to the well-being of children that JWB is working to address?
JWB is concerned with any obstacle to a child’s well-being and ability to achieve to their fullest potential. Efforts are currently focused on decreasing child abuse and neglect; improving children’s readiness to learn when they enter school; and improving students’ graduation rate and overall level of success in school.
Do other communities have agencies like JWB?
While JWB was the first of its kind in the nation, several other counties in Florida and across the nation have followed suit and now have what are known as Children’s Services Councils.
How and when was JWB created?
A Juvenile Welfare Board Special Act passed the Florida Legislature in 1945. Then, in 1946 Pinellas County voters approved the act by a three-to-one margin.
Who is the "Board" in the Juvenile Welfare Board?
The JWB Children’s Services Council Board of Directors is comprised of eleven members. Six are appointed to the Board by the Governor. The other five are "ex-officio" members. Ex-officio means they serve on the Board because of an elected office or appointed position that they hold. The ex-officio Board members are a Juvenile Judge from the 6th Judicial Circuit Court, the State Attorney for the 6th Judicial Circuit Court, the Public Defender for the 6th Judicial Circuit Court, a Pinellas County Commissioner, and the Commissioner of Pinellas County Schools. Visit the JWB Board page to learn more about the current members of JWB’s Board of Directors.
How much does JWB levy in property taxes?
The JWB Children’s Services Council has the ability to levy up to 1 mill per property – or $1 for every $1,000 in assessed value. The millage rate for fiscal year 2009-10 is set at .7915 mills. For more information on JWB’s budget visit the Contract Management, Finance, & Research page.
Who determines the millage rate?
The maximum rate has been established by Pinellas County voters in a 1990 referendum. Annually, the JWB Board adopts a proposed millage rate and budget within that limit. Two Truth in Millage (TRIM) hearings are held where citizens are invited to comment on the proposed millage and budget. Following the two TRIM hearings the Board votes to adopt a millage and budget for the next fiscal year.
What kind of programs and services does JWB provide?
JWB does not directly provide services, but does allocate funding to agencies with expertise in specific program areas. Programs where JWB invests largely include prevention of child abuse and neglect through family support and parent education; subsidized childcare so that parents can go to work and provide for their children while they are prepared to begin school ready to learn to their fullest potential; and violence prevention and mentoring programs that help students stay out of trouble and succeed in school.
For a comprehensive list of programs funded by JWB visit the Funded Programs page.
How does JWB determine what services are needed?
JWB listens to input from Pinellas County residents and collects data on key indicators of the well-being and success of children to determine areas of need. JWB’s Research Department analyzes data from surveys, standardized tests and many other sources monitor trends affecting Pinellas youth.
How are agencies chosen to provide the programs and services needed by Pinellas County’s children?
Generally, a Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued, and interested agencies reply with proposals to deliver the needed services. The proposals are reviewed and ranked by an RFP review team. The review team makes recommendations to the Board for funding and the Board votes to determine which agencies will receive contracts to provide services.
How do we know if the programs and services funded by JWB are helping children?
Goals and objectives are a part of all JWB program contracts, as well as the processes for measuring whether or not these goals and objectives are met. The goals are designed to measure positive effects on the youth involved in the program. If a program is falling short of its contracted goals, it’s JWB Contract Manager works with them to find ways to improve the situation. A corrective action plan may be put into place to help a program improve its performance. Ultimately, a program that fails to meet its contracted requirements or demonstrate a measurable positive impact on its participants may be de-funded by Board decision.
How does JWB help improve the quality of services available to Pinellas County’s children and families?
JWB Contract Manager’s and other key staff conduct an on-site review visit with each contracted agency on an annual basis to review performance. On a three-year cycle, each agency undertakes an Agency Self-Study Efficacy Tool, or A.S.S.E.T. review. This intensive review of administrative processes and service delivery results in the agency receiving A.S.S.E.T. certification or a development plan that will help the agency work toward certification. A.S.S.E.T. certification helps determine future funding for the agency.
The JWB Training Center helps improve the quality of services by offering affordable, cutting-edge, timely workshops that not only increase the expertise of those who work directly with children, but also improve the administrative capacity of agencies who provide services.
Do individuals have a say in what JWB does?
Citizen input is crucial to identifying the needs of children and families in Pinellas County’s various communities, as well as finding solutions to those needs. Public comment is allowed at every JWB Board meeting. As well, Pinellas County residents have the opportunity to apply to one of JWB’s three regional Community Councils. There is a council for the South, Mid and North sections of Pinellas County with representation from the following categories: community, government, business, education, civic, young adults and youth. They provide input to the staff and Board on unmet needs in their respective regions, advocate for and participate in primary prevention efforts in the JWB strategic areas of focus, and undertake special projects. Applicants must undergo an application process including a background screening. The committees meet on a monthly basis. Individuals are also encouraged to volunteer with the agencies that provide programs and services for families.
How can I keep up with JWB’s work?
The best way to follow JWB’s work is to visit www.jwbpinellas.org frequently. You can also follow JWB through social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. In addition, you can subscribe to JWB’s “About Pinellas Kids” e-newsletter, by clicking here. JWB-TV is a monthly thirty-minute television show that features programs and services that can help Pinellas County youth and families. Visit the Communications Department page to learn more about these outlets.
What are the Cooperman-Bogue Awards and who are Cooperman and Bogue?
In the 1940’s Leonard Cooperman, an attorney, and Judge Lincoln C. Bogue were concerned at the lack of options for helping Pinellas County’s at-risk youth. They were disappointed that jails and detention were often the best they could do for them, so they drafted the Juvenile Welfare Board Act which would eventually be approved by the state legislature and Pinellas County voters in 1946.
Today, JWB recognizes outstanding human-services professionals who have a positive impact on children with the Cooperman-Bogue Awards. Four quarterly winners are chosen every year and from them, one is chosen as the annual winner of the Cooperman-Bogue Award.
