Learn more about Heartland for Children and how you can get involved.

In this episode of "Let's Talk About It", we talk with Carolyn Burnett, Reading Pals Program Manager with United Way of Central Florida to share about the history, impacts and need for more Reading Pals. It's important that we teach children a love for reading at an early age and the goal is create life-long readers.

To learn more about Reading Pals, email [email protected] or visit https://uwcf.org/readingpals/

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month! Did you know that 1 in 12 teens in the US reported experiencing physical or sexual dating violence?

In this episode of "Let's Talk About It", we talk with Cassie Long, Outreach Coordinator with Peace River Center about what is teen dating violence, the warning signs and resources for teens and families. It's important that we start the conversation with our teens about what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like. 

Confused about what’s normal in a relationship? Don’t know how to leave an unhealthy one? Concerned about a friend’s relationship? Call Peace River Center's 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotlines:

To learn more visit: https://www.peacerivercenter.org/teen-dating-violence-awareness/

Have you heard of The Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children's Resource Center? This wonderful resource is designed to serve families and is located at Lakeland's beautiful new Bonnet Springs Park.

The Resource Center offers a variety of FREE resources:

Learn more about all that the Carol Jenkins Barnett Resource Center has to offer at https://uwcf.org/resourcecenter

Did you know that January is Human Trafficking Prevention Awareness Month? In this special episode, Heartland for Children's Kadian Parchment, Resiliency Coordinator and Amanda Wilson, Community Development Administrator for the Department of Children and Families talk about human trafficking, how it is impacting Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties, what are the warning signs and how people can make a difference in preventing this crime.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or check out https://humantraffickinghotline.org/

To learn more about our local Human Trafficking Taskforce in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties email [email protected] or [email protected]. 

In this episode, Heartland for Children's Natalya Clemens, Community Engagement Specialist, interviews Allison Montgomery, Child Protective Investigator Supervisor for the Substance Exposed Newborn (SEN) Unit for the Department of Children and Families regarding resources available to families in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties. 

To get connected to resources check out Hope Florida or speak with a Hope Navigator by calling 850-300-HOPE.

Did you know that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of   domestic violence? This is a community-wide issue that we want to talk about on this episode of "Let's Talk About It".

In this episode, our team visits Peace River Center's Victim Services to connect with Kirsten Pindar, Director of Victim Services for Peace River Center, about what is domestic violence and the resources that Peace River offers for victims.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, visit peacerivercenter.org to learn more about their services or call one of their   hotlines:

Find more episodes Let's Talk About It Podcast: heartlandforchildren.org/podcast

November is #NationalAdoptionMonth! On this episode of "Let's Talk About It" Natalya Clemens, Community Engagement Specialist, interviews Paige Ross, Adoption Specialist with Heartland for Children, about adoption.

In this episode, Paige & Natalya discuss the importance of adoption, the need for forever families for teens and siblings, the adoption process and answer our most FAQ's.

To learn more about our children that are currently available for adoption, visit heartlandforchildren.org/gallery. If want to connect with someone from our team regarding adoption, call 863-519-8900 x 223.

On this episode of Let's Talk About It, we invite Briana Edwards, Recruitment Specialist at Heartland for Children along with seasoned foster caregiver, Lori Chapman, to talk about Heartland for Children's Rudolph Round-Up Toy Drive. This operation provides magical holiday experiences for over 1,500 children in the foster care system in Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties.

There are 4 ways you can become a Rudolph Champion:

To learn more visit heartlandforchildren.org/rudolph

To learn more about Heartland for Children or becoming a foster caregiver, call 863-519-8900 x 289 or visit heartlandforchildren.org