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• Teen showcased in Heart Gallery eager for adoption — along with her 3 little brothers

  TAMPA BAY TIMES (May 6, 2012) – Long before they went into foster care, Justice Smith was taking care of her three younger brothers, making sure they were fed and clean and comforting them when they were scared. Now 13, Justice looks forward to being adopted someday — adopted by a forever family who will keep all four siblings together. read more

• Eckerd Facility Reopens

  Wilkes Journal-Patriot (March 23, 2012) – After nearly a year of dormancy, the Eckerd property in Boomer is alive again with trained staff counseling and teaching youths with behavioral problems. read more

• NC Division of Juvenile Justice and Eckerd Announce Opening of New Short-Term Juvenile Justice Residential Campus at Boomer

  Boomer, NC (March 21, 2012)– The Department of Public Safety Division of Juvenile Justice in partnership with Eckerd, will hold an Open House event to celebrate the new Short-Term Juvenile Justice Residential campus in Boomer. read more

• Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin Announces 4th Annual Foster Youth Summit Event to Benefit Eckerd and Camelot Community Care Foster Teens

  Clearwater, FL (March 21, 2012)– The Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin, Inc. will hold their 4th Annual Foster Youth Summit and Life Skills Training to benefit dozens of Tampa Bay area foster teens who receive services and support through Eckerd and Camelot Community Care. read more

• Kids’ welfare focus of forum

  The Tampa Tribune (March 20, 2012) – Families who live and work in the 33612 and 33613 ZIP codes are invited to a community meeting March 27 to discuss the large number of children removed from homes there and what can be done to help. read more

• 1st Community Based Child Welfare Meeting Planned

  FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN (February 27, 2012) BY IRIS B. HOLTON – On Tuesday, March 6th, at 6:30 p.m., members of the community will have the opportunity to meet Mrs. Lorita Shirley, Executive Director of Eckerd Youth Alternatives (EYA). EYA was awarded the contract after nine children died and HKI (Hillsborough Kids Inc.,) was stripped of it. The meeting will take place at the College Hill Church of God In Christ, 6414 N. 30th Street. read more

• Eckerd takes over Hillsborough County’s child welfare services

  WFLA-TV NEWS CHANNEL 8 (February 23, 2012)
  Eckerd which runs foster care services in Pinellas and Pasco Counties is taking over foster care for Hillsborough County on July 1st. read more

• Protecting at-risk kids drives child agency’s director

  THE TAMPA TRIBUNE (February 23, 2012) – By Donna Koehn read more

• Child Services Executive Director Back Home To Serve

  FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN (February 16, 2012)
  For more than 20 years, Mrs. Lorita Shirley has campaigned for children in state custody. Last month, Eckerd Community Alternatives was awarded the contract to provide services to Hillsborough County, replacing Hillsborough Kids, Inc., (HKI).
  read more

• Hillsborough’s new child protector pledges case reviews

  TAMPA BAY TIMES (February 15, 2012)
  Hillsborough County’s new child protector introduced herself to Tampa on Tuesday, pledging to review all active child dependency cases to ensure none have slipped through the cracks. read more