Longtime Pinellas County Commissioner Karen Seel — jokingly referred to as “the queen of U.S. 19” for longstanding efforts to improve Pinellas’ main north-south roadway — has been named the Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year.

The chamber held its 69th annual meeting and awards breakfast on Oct. 18 at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. It had been pushed back a few weeks due to Hurricane Ian.

“This year’s honoree has a history of community service that goes above and beyond in her contributions to the people of Pinellas County,” Chamber Chair Nate Cocco said. “Her work to improve U.S. 19 topped the list,” including creating a special task force and seeking funds to make the road safer, “which ultimately led to closed medians, construction on overpasses and connected sidewalks.” 

Cocco said Seel, who was appointed to the County Commission in 1999, “has also been influential in (improving) Roosevelt Boulevard, Gandy and the gateway extension that’s set to open in a couple of years.” She has served on numerous local boards and committees during her 26-year career, including the Juvenile Welfare Board, Forward Pinellas, and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, among others. 

“It gives me much pleasure, and it is my honor, to present our 2022 Citizen of the Year to someone who has had such a positive impact on Pinellas County,” Cocco said. 

After walking from her front row table to a standing ovation, an emotional Seel reflected on her career. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she said when the applause died down. “It has really been a privilege to be able to work with many of you and service with many of you, including my colleague, Pat Gerard. I bestow unto you making sure U.S. 19 gets finished!” 

Seel said the County Commission “cannot do our jobs without very, very superior city of Largo staff as well as county staff.” She also praised the Central Pinellas Chamber, noting her dad, former Clearwater City Commissioner Don Williams, once told her, “It’s the most hospitable chamber in Pinellas County, and he is absolutely correct.”

In closing, Seel told the group to keep up the great work. “Carry on,” she said. “This is a wonderful county, a great place to live, work and play. Thank you very, very much for this honor.”

The ceremony was attended by dozens of chamber members and local officials, including Largo Mayor Woody Brown and commissioners Jamie Robinson, Eric Gerard and Donna Holck; Pinellas County Commissioner Gerard; and Belleair Bluffs Vice Mayor Taylour Shimkus, Commissioner Suzy Sofer and City Administrator Debra Sullivan. 

Earlier in the program, Cocco and chamber president Tom Morrissette kicked things off by recognizing the recipients of the annual awards, including President’s Award (Mia Cloud); Ambassador of the Year (Kay McKenzie); Chamber Director of the Year (Karen Gonzalez); and Committee Leadership of the Year (Richard Boisvert). 

Morrissette presented the Business Member of the Year award to Debbie Jones of Regions Bank and the Mac Norcross Small Business Leader of the Year award to Tracy and Debbie Jackson of Jackson and Associates CPA.

During his opening remarks, Brown spoke about working together to achieve common goals. 

“Our mission is to be the community of choice in Tampa Bay,” Brown said. “And I think we’re on the right track. But we can’t do it without a strong business community. So, thank you all for investing in our city and making it a great place. Keep up the good work.”

The awards, speeches and passing of the gavel from Cocco to chair-elect Jake Prokop, director of Pinellas Technical College, were highlights of the morning. Prokop cited an African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” in describing the mission of the chamber.

After the meeting, Seel welcomed well-wishers and addressed being recognized by the chamber.

“I had to make sure I didn’t start crying,” she said. “It’s such a wonderful organization, friendly and hospitable. So, to have them give me this award is monumental and very, very special.”

When Seel was asked what’s next after she decided not to run for reelection in November following a change to a state statute that prematurely ended her career two years earlier than expected, the Belleair resident said she and her husband “plan to travel and live part time in California.”

“I’ve had a very long and fulfilling career and I didn’t expect it to end like this,” she said. “But I feel the county is in very, very good shape, in good shape financially, the road network is being finalized. So, I am very proud of what I’ve accomplished for the people of Pinellas County.”

Read the entire article and see photos from the event at https://www.tbnweekly.com/pinellas_county/article_f8da2024-53c3-11ed-8dd4-df7e3bf05335.html

After losing funding for its homeless family shelter that served domestic violence survivors, Hope Villages of America (HVA) has successfully transformed the facility into much-needed affordable housing.

Pinellas County-based nonprofit HVA announced its plans to convert Grace House, a shelter for homeless women and children in Clearwater, into housing for many of the same residents in July. The Juvenile Welfare Board decided to terminate its funding for the facility in Dec. 2020 due to “significant concerns regarding service delivery.” However, the organization still supports the Haven of HVA, which offers similar services.

Due to the lack of funding – and with a previously established strategy to provide more affordable housing options to an area desperately in need – HVA officials unanimously decided to refurbish 14 of the Grace House units and create the Oaks at Hope Villages.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Kirk Ray Smith, CEO of HVA. “I think the pros outweigh the cons because we know we’re preventing homelessness by providing affordable housing.”

The Oaks opened Oct. 1, and Smith said only one unit remains available. Another 11-unit HVA community, Goldsmith Gardens, is full, and the organization is working to acquire 20 more in Clearwater.

Multiple Grace House residents remained at the site and now live in the Oaks at Hope Villages, including Holly Johannes and her 17-year-old son. In addition to some remodeling, she said the atmosphere has also changed.

“I have noticed a sense of calm from the residents and kids now that everything has transitioned from the Grace House to the Oaks,” said Johannes. “I can finally breathe now, and I have no worries as to where I can call home.

“We didn’t know if we were going to be back on the streets or somewhere else.”

While the nonprofit offers several other services to Pinellas residents – and Smith hopes to soon expand throughout Tampa Bay – he said HVA takes pride in addressing area homelessness. According to Smith, 90% of families they help go on to find permanent housing.

He noted that domestic violence victims often stay with or return to their abusers as they cannot afford to live alone. Smith explained that HVA helps people at its shelters qualify for housing assistance and find a more permanent solution.

“And so, this was no different,” he said. “It’s just in this case – she could actually stay there. She doesn’t have to move.”

Housing vouchers, said Smith, allow residents to pay about 30% of their income towards rent, up to a certain amount. For example, he said, families could pay $330 per month for an apartment that would go for $1,700 on the open market.

In addition to thanking HVA’s officials, Johannes said she was also grateful for the case managers at Catholic Charities. She explained that her vouchers through the St. Petersburg Housing Authority ended earlier this year, but the local Catholic Charities affiliate ensured she remained in place.

Those case managers, added Johannes, want to support her success throughout the year and for the long term. While she endured many struggles while fighting to overcome homelessness, Johannes said the turmoil was also a “blessing in disguise.”

“I have built such great bonds with my case managers and other families that are currently living here at the Oaks,” she added. “I am so thankful for what we have received.”

The organization will continue striving to help reduce the number of people without a home by providing affordable options, Smith said. He relayed that HVA also provides wraparound services to the residents, including financial literacy training, workforce development and life skills.

Smith said the overall goal is to offer a self-contained source for everything a family needs to be successful. He expressed HVA’s intent to adding to more affordable units to its inventory in Pinellas and beyond, including through properties that may require some retrofitting.

“We know if we do that, then the need for shelters, although it may not go away, it would certainly be a lot less,” said Smith.

Johannes is on a one-year lease, but she is already looking to the future. She hopes to renew the agreement when it expires and remain in the place she and her son can now call home.

“I am wanting to be within this community and build deeper bonds with the staff and families,” Johannes said.

Read the article at https://stpetecatalyst.com/nonprofit-transitions-shelter-to-affordable-housing/

Girl Scouts of West Central Florida has received a $2 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

This gift is part of an $84.5 million donation awarded to Girl Scouts USA and 29 local Girl Scout Councils selected by Scott, making this unprecedented investment the largest donation from a single individual in the national organization’s history, according to a statement.

Locally, this gift will accelerate GSWCF’s equity initiative to deliver a high-quality Girl Scout leadership experience to more girls across the council’s eight-county footprint.

In the past year, GSWCF has generated nearly $1 million to fund Girl Scout programming and seeks to raise another $1.2 million in this fiscal year to support this equity initiative. Currently, major funders include Juvenile Welfare Board, Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, United Way of Central Florida, Publix Super Market Charities, Simply Healthcare, United Way Suncoast and United Way Pasco.

Read the article at https://tbbwmag.com/2022/10/18/mackenzie-scott-donates-2-million-to-girl-scouts-of-west-central-florida/

A few days ago, firefighters took time out of their busy schedules to volunteer and pack bags filled with items designed to save babies lives during sleep, which is all part of the Sleep Baby Safely Campaign.

Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Rebecca Albert, joins Gayle Guyardo, the host of the nationally syndicated health and wellness show, Bloom, to share more about the campaign.

Watch the interview in its entirety at https://www.wfla.com/bloom/sleep-baby-safely-campaign/

Over a ten-year period in Pinellas County, there have been more than 100 babies lost from suffocation because of unsafe sleep practices.

Rather than responding to tragedy, firefighters in St. Petersburg are trying to prevent it.

On Tuesday, 14 firefighters packed bags with items to help babies sleep safely. There are onesies that say “this side up” which helps remind parents that sleeping on their back is best.

There are also sleep sacks and informational books in the bags as well.

This is all part of the “Sleep Baby Safely” campaign. The Juvenile Welfare Board, which created the campaign, has cut infant sleep-related deaths in half since it launched in 2018.

“Suffocation from unsafe sleep is the #1 cause of preventable child death, not just in Pinellas County but across Florida and the U.S.,” St. Petersburg Rescue Chief Ian Womack, who is part of the campaign, said in a statement. 

“It’s a tragedy that’s 100% preventable, and we’re committed to doing whatever we can to educate and prevent these needless deaths.”

Over a ten-year period in Pinellas County, there have been more than 100 babies lost from suffocation because of unsafe sleep practices, according to the JWB. This campaign is one way to help.

Read the article and watch the video here: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/pinellas-county-st-pete-firefighters-sleep-baby-safely/67-cf9f708a-3d76-4af8-9a99-6e024f741185

The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County enlisted the help of St. Petersburg Fire Rescue to help babies sleep safely across Pinellas County.

September is “Baby Safety Month” and October is “Infant Sleep Awareness Month.” According to the JWB in Pinellas County, over a dozen firefighters with St. Pete Fire Rescue packed bags filled with sleep-safe items for babies.

According to the county, nearly 7,000 bags to parents of newborns were given out, including onesies imprinted with “Sleep Me This Side Up,” sleep sacks, storybooks and door hangers.

Thousands of the bags are given away annually and more information can be found online.

Read the article and view the news coverage in its entirety at https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/st-pete-firefighters-pack-care-packages-for-newborns/

We’re seeing an increase in infant deaths from unsafe sleeping in Tampa Bay. We’re getting some helpful tips to ensure your kids are safe while sleeping.

Dr. Kelly Devers, Hillsborough County Medical Examiner, and Dr. Ashley McPhie, Chief Medical Officer, Tampa Family Health join us to share helpful tips to ensure your child is safe while sleeping.

In 2021, there were 11 child deaths due to infant unsafe sleep – which is an increase from last year, according to the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner,

In the last 8 years, 190 infants have died from unsafe sleep across Tampa Bay.

Dr. Devers tells us these are 100% preventable deaths. She says she’s seeing cases where babies are dying because their cribs are full of stuff, or they get wedged between the couch. Infants lack the muscle control needed to move their necks if something is blocking their airways.

Dr. Ashely McPhie says Black infants are two times more likely to die from sleep-related causes.

They also strongly recommend infants do not sleep with pillow-top mattresses, comforters, fluffy pillows, and stuffed animals. These pose a danger to infants in cribs as well as adult beds.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants 6 months and younger should practice the ABCs of safe sleep. The safest way for infants to sleep is alone on their backs in a crib. This minimizes the risk of the infant suffocating, especially if they have not developed neck muscle control. Babies should be put to sleep on their backs in a crib with a tight-fitting crib sheet and firm mattress.

For more information, head to PreventNeedlessDeaths.com.

Read the entire article and watch the video at https://www.abcactionnews.com/morning-blend/infant-sleeping-related-deaths-up-in-tampa-bay-tips-to-keep-your-kids-safe

The mission of the School-Based Health Services Program is to assess, protect and promote the health of children and adolescents, helping to assure that they are healthy in the classroom and ready to learn. To assess, preserve, and promote the health of children and adolescents, helping to ensure that they are healthy in the classroom and prepared to learn.

Prevention, intervention and emergency school-based health services are provided every day to adolescents attending five Pinellas County schools:

• Boca Ciega High School
• Gibbs High School
• Northeast High School
• Pinellas Park High School
• Largo High School

The high schools selected are based on several factors:

1. A high percentage of free or reduced lunches
2. High numbers of youth with significant discipline issues and histories of risky behaviors
3. High incidences of chronic health problems

School-Based Health Services staff deliver effective, efficient and quality healthcare on-site and provide the infrastructure necessary for treating:

• Obesity and other chronic diseases
• Provide care for acute illnesses
• Work towards alleviating co-morbidities among at-risk high school students
• Deliver culturally competent primary preventive, and emergency health care
• Improves the overall health status in a substantially uninsured and medically underserved population through shared school-based and community resources
• Provide a focus on prevention and early intervention
• Offers a combination of testing such as pregnancy or STD testing
• Medical assessments
• Physical examinations
• Substance abuse counseling
• Case management
• Dental health education
• Diabetes education
• Nutrition education
• Health education and health promotion

The School-Based Health Services Program is a partnership between the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County, Pinellas County School System, and the Juvenile Welfare Board.

Visit bit.ly/schoolbasedhealthservices for specific forms to fill out.

Read the article on the Weekly Challenger: https://theweeklychallenger.com/school-based-health-services/

R’Club Child Care will expand its program at the Lemon Street Early Learning Academy to include children ages 2 months to 3 years old, starting Aug. 10.

Enrollment began July 26.

The academy is located at 1019 E Lemon St.

For information, call 727-938-1611 or email vbotts@rclub.net.

Funding for the program was provided by the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County.