My name is Monica, and I have been part of Florida’s Early Childhood Court work since 2017.
I first became involved as a case worker in child welfare. Very early on, I understood the importance of this program and the potential we have to positively impact the lives of children and families.
What makes me especially proud to be part of Safe Babies is the lasting relationships I’ve built with my families and the way they’ve grown over the years.
I think about Willow, who just turned 9. I can see how she has grown into such a happy, beautiful, loving, sweet and healthy kid. She doesn’t remember me anymore, but I see that as a success.
To me, that means her life moved forward. It means the support around her family helped create the kind of stability and love every child deserves. It means the hard season that brought us together did not have to define her childhood.
I also think about Gabby, who is now reconnected with her family, maintaining her sobriety, working and has a car. Watching families continue to grow after their case closes is one of the most meaningful parts of this work.
Even though I am no longer their case worker, families still reach out to me when they need help with something or have a question.
Whenever I ask them to serve as a speaker, they are always happy to share their story and encourage other families.
That is what Safe Babies makes possible: relationships that do not end when a case closes, families who feel supported enough to keep reaching out, and parents who use their own experiences to offer hope to others.
