24-25
OUR MISSION
Florida Foster Care Review bridges critical gaps, builds lasting relationships, and creates meaningful connections for children, young adults, and families impacted by - and at risk of - foster care.
354
children and young adults served by FFCR during FY 2024-25
The Citizen Review Panel Program trains, supports, and supervises volunteers who conduct hearings to identify and address the unmet needs of children and young adults in foster care.
323
in-depth review hearings conducted by FFCR’s highly trained volunteers with support and guidance by FFCR’s
3,116
unmet needs identified and addressed by FFCR’s Citizen Review Panel Program
The Permanency Roundtable Program convenes and facilitates teams who help youth in foster care reunify with their parents, creates forever families, and form lifelong bonds with parent-like adults.
867
roundtable sessions facilitated by FFCR’s permanency team to connect youth with forever families
58
teens have participated in Youth Centered Roundtables since the program’s inception
WAYS TO HELP
The Family Preservation and Support Services provide voluntary guidance, assistance, resources, and support to strengthen and stabilize children, young adults and families after their foster care case has closed.
35
VOLUNTEER your time and talent
PARTICIPATE in our events and campaigns
DONATE
funds, a gift from your DAF, a qualified distribution from your IRA or appreciated stock
FUNDRAISE for our cause
GIVE through your estate planning
The Connect2Community Initiative connects children and families to our network of community-based organizations and service providers to support their social, emotional, and practical needs.
95 families received bi-monthly check-ins and ongoing help from our team of experts
children and youth were connected to extracurricular activities, mentors, and community resources
SPONSOR our events LEARN about the needs of the children and families we serve
SHARE our work with others
OUR IMPACT
FFCR methodically identifies gaps and advances solutions to ensure children’s physical, psychological, educational and social needs are met.
Sixteen-year-old Robert had been in and out of foster care since he was one-year-old. During his Citizen Review Panel hearing, Robert shared that he was in severe dental pain, wanted to reconnect with his former therapist, and hoped to change to a new high school to play baseball. After asking thoughtful questions and listening carefully to Robert and the other participants, the Citizen Review Panel took action. They recommended expedited dental care, appropriate therapeutic support, and an educational review to help Robert pursue his goals. Thanks to FFCR’s thorough review process and diligent post-review advocacy, Robert was reconnected with his therapist, enrolled in the new school, and received the dental care he needed. Equally important, Robert was selected to play for the school’s baseball team. Thanks to FFCR’s focus on his safety and well-being, Robert was able to regain stability, support, and hope for his future.
“Thank you so much for having me as an observer today. It was impactful to see how the CRP reviews flow. I appreciate the skilled way that you work with families in our community.”
— Funding Partner
74%
of the unmet health, educational, stability and relationship needs identified by our Citizen Review Panel Program were resolved through FFCR’s targeted advocacy efforts.
FFCR relentlessly pursues a forever family for every youth we serve by facilitating parental reunification, adoption, or a lifelong connection with a supportive adult.
Henry and Charles spent eight long years in foster care, separated by multiple disrupted placements and group homes. When a forever family seemed out of reach, FFCR’s Permanency Roundtable (PRT) Program stepped in. Being mindful of the boys’ initial resistance to adoption, the PRT team connected Henry to an adoptioncompetent therapist, supported his foster parents through monthly roundtable sessions, and linked Charles to martial arts to boost his confidence and self-worth. Henry’s foster family eventually welcomed Charles into their home. Thanks to the targeted services and community resources they’d received, the brothers finally felt ready to be adopted. After years of uncertainty, Henry (14) and Charles (10) are thriving with their forever family, with renewed hope for the future.
92%
of the youth who exited the Permanency Roundtable program were connected to a forever family or a parent-like adult committed to them for life.
“Thank you so much for intervening in this case. I remember how challenging and overwhelming the adoption process was before your intervention. I would not have been able to go through this adoption process if you were not here to help us through it.”
— Adoptive Parent
FFCR provides parents and caregivers with tools, guidance, and resources to strengthen and stabilize their families even after their foster care case has closed.
When the five Suarez siblings were adopted by their aunt, it felt like the happy ending they had longed for. But soon after, life unraveled. Hurricane damage, reduced work hours, and mounting bills left their aunt - now a single mother of five - overwhelmed. During one of FFCR’s Family Support checkins, she tearfully admitted that she was considering returning the children to foster care. FFCR immediately took action. Our team secured rent assistance, replaced spoiled food, provided fans, and obtained new bedding for the kids. With her immediate needs met and her AC finally fixed, their aunt regained stability and picked up extra work hours. Thanks to FFCR’s quick response, five children were spared re-entering foster care and remained in the loving care of their family.
100%
of the caregivers and families who requested help were offered support, assistance, and resources.
“I wanted to reach out to you and say I am so blessed you came into my life and that we have gotten to know you. You have always taken the time to speak to me and make sure I understand what’s going on. I really appreciate what you’ve done for me and the children...I am very grateful for you.”
FFCR connects children to local services, organizations, and activities to help them form new relationships, learn essential skills, celebrate milestones and reach their full potential.
Jacob entered FFCR’s Permanency Roundtable (PRT) Program at age 10, after two years in foster care. His PRT team worked tirelessly to help his foster parents, the Beasleys, become his forever family. When adoption fell through due to behavioral challenges and family disruptions, FFCR didn’t give up. Instead, the team shifted focus - strengthening the Beasleys’ bond with Jacob, coordinating therapy, supporting his academics, and guiding his transition to adulthood. Eight years later, Jacob’s story is one of stability and triumph. He remained in the Beasleys’ loving care, graduated on time, and earned college baseball scholarships. His PRT team celebrated every milestone - making sure he could attend prom and graduation, and surprising him with a limo, suit, and long-wished-for headphones. Now thriving in college, the Beasleys are still homebase for Jacob. Their journey embodies the heart of FFCR’s mission: securing lifelong adult support and community connections to help children and youth reach their full potential.
“You know you will forever be in my and the kids’ life. You’re one of the only positive people who helped us through the situation. You went on facts and never judged us…I’m forever grateful to you.”
— Reunified Father
of the children and youth who identified as potentially benefiting from a “community connection” were offered one.
PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS
FUNDERS
FFCR’s success depends on a vast network of individual donors, corporate partners, private foundations, and community agencies who support our efforts to ensure that every child has a nurturing family, a safe place to call home, and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
“I just had a wonderful day of reviews today. I always count my blessings after the day of volunteering, so blessed to be in the company of such bright, caring people.”
— Longtime FFCR Volunteer
LEGACY CIRCLE MEMBERS
FFCR’s Legacy Circle is an exclusive group of our most dedicated supporters and passionate ambassadors. As engaged stewards of our mission, Legacy Circle members have invested $25,000 or more in our mission over the past 5 years.
$100,000+
BILZIN SUMBERG
LISA & JOHN CHIDSEY
PEGGY & DOUG HUDSON
KAISA & DOUG LEVINE
VOLUNTEERS
RUTH & ADAM BEHLMAN • ADINA & JOHN BRUNETTI JR. • THE FAMILY OF JUDI BASH • COMMISSIONER SALLY HEYMAN • MARYANNE LUKACS & MARIA BURES • THE MENARD-KAFKA FAMILY • THE ROSTOV FAMILY • STARWOOD PROPERTY TRUST • WHITE & CASE • THE ZAKARIA FOUNDATION
$50,000+ $25,000+
KATE CALLAHAN & PETER BENJAMIN • CHRISTOPHER HUTCHINS • MITCHELL & LOURDES MARENUS • STEPHANIE & MICHAEL ROSEN • BARBARA & GENE ROSTOV
Since 1989, FFCR has recruited, trained and supported thousands of volunteers from every corner of our community and every walk of life. With caring hearts and open minds, every year, they contribute their time, talent and often their treasure to ensuring the safety, well-being and stability of children and young adults in foster care.
64
1,871
$125,132
FINANCES & FUNDRAISING
TOTAL REVENUE
$2.8M
$2.5M including $248K in-kind
TOTAL EXPENSES
Every November, the week before Thanksgiving, FFCR participates in a community-wide fundraising event alongside more than 1,000 local nonprofits. Every gift between $25$10,000 to Florida Foster Care Review (FFCR) during Give Miami Day receives a bonus match. In 2024, FFCR’s caring community donated $85,000+ to support our critical mission.
Starting on Black Friday through mid-December, our new online holiday auction provides the opportunity to Shop for a Cause. Bid on luxury items, dream getaways, gourmet dining, local experiences, and more - 100% of every winning bid supports FFCR’s critical work. Double the joy and celebrate the season by giving gifts that give back!
FFCR’s 19th Annual Claws for Kids fundraising luncheon at the iconic Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant brought together 280+ community leaders, professionals, and philanthropists for an afternoon of delicious fare, fine wine, and exciting raffle prizes. Sponsors and guests raised $325,000+ to enable FFCR’s work.
VALUES & VISION
Our values of Teamwork, Authenticity, Accountability, Communication, Humility, Growth Mindset, and Self Care drive our vision to ensure that youth in foster care have what every child needs – a nurturing family, a safe place to call home, and the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Aaron Gordon, President - Schwartz Media Strategies
Jennifer Gross, Vice President - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices/EWM Realty
Christopher Hutchins, CPA Treasurer - Christopher Hutchins, CPA, LLC
Ruth Behlman, Secretary - Advocate/Philanthropist
Michelle Weber, MBA - Immediate Past President - Bilzin Sumberg
Iris Acosta - IAZ Hospitality Advisors
Lourdes Aviñó, Esq. - Attorney
Ellina Berdichevsky, Esq., LLM, MAcc - Bilzin Sumberg
Julie Bruno, PsyD - Julie D Bruno, PA
Adrienne Coyle, MBA - Starwood Property Trust
Sandra Dan, MSEd - DCS
Arturo Fernandez - NBCUniversal
Martha Garcia - Florida Blue/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Latasha Hines, Esq. - Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton
Dara Jeffries, Esq. - White & Case LLC
Paulina Kimbel - Concierge Auctions
Donald McCorkell Jr. - Regions Bank
Kelly Penton Chacon - Carnival Cruise Line
Alexander Rattner, Esq. - Mary Street Capital
Ruth Rios, MBA - Generosity Strategies
Raina Shipman, Esq. - Carlton Fields
Kara Stearns Sharp, CPA - Kaufman Rossin