English
Spanish
Children First Blog
Want to know the latest news?
You'll find it all in the most recent newsletter HERE!
You'll find it all in the most recent newsletter HERE!
July 13, 2020
July 13, 2020 | Sarasota
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce has named the finalists for the 2020 Frank G. Berlin Sr. Small Business Awards.
Three finalists have been selected in each of the seven new categories that will be awarded at a luncheon on Aug. 28 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. The Herald-Tribune is the [...]
June 1, 2020
June 2020 | Lisl Liang
Jessica Rogers believes access to opportunity for all is the base for building a strong community.
This belief has transformed her passion for helping women, children, and families into a dynamic professional career focused on the well-being of humankind. As a mother, she raises her daughter the way that her own [...]
May 21, 2020
May 21, 2021 | Tampa
As part of the agency’s efforts to address continued food insecurity amongst its families, local members of the community teamed up with Paradise Grill restaurant in Nokomis to bring chef-prepared meals to each of the children and families who attend Children First, Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start and [...]
May 13, 2020
May 13, 2020 | By Scene
Children First announced that 330 members of our community came together to raise $85,010 during the 2020 Giving Challenge, hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. All giving is inclusive of a 1:1 match provided by the Patterson Foundation, and a $30,000 ‘match on top of the match’ [...]
May 6, 2020
May 6, 2020
Mark and Corey talk with Jack Baker, Families First Institute Manager at Children First, about his career and passion for early childhood development and how it led to his involvement in The Nurturing Father’s Program. They also discuss some important things to consider as a father while spending more time at home [...]
April 18, 2020
April 1, 2020
Thank you to all who voted for Children First in SRQ Magazine’s ‘Best of SRQ Local’ 2020 competition! Our agency was chosen as the Platinum winner in the ‘Best Children’s Nonprofit‘ category and as a Bronze winner in the ‘Best Nonprofit‘ category.
Children First also received a second platinum designation this month with the [...]
Facebook Feed
Thank you CBS Tampa Bay for helping spread the word about two important grants we recently received that provide mental health and child safety support to our agency. We are grateful to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for this incredible support of our children, families, staff, and mission.
tampa.cbslocal.com
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has provided Children First with a $30,000 Equity and Access Grant supporting access to mental health care for Sarasota County’s most vulnerable young chi...
The #StaffSpotlight is on Jane Shaw, Early Learning Inclusion Coordinator as she shares her thoughts about working at Children First!![]()
![]()
In her role, Jane works with children and families to ensure every child receives the services they need and assists classroom teachers with a child’s accommodations or modifications for learning success. She is truly a ray of sunshine and always has a smile to spare!
At Children First, there are many things we are thankful for: our children and families we serve, our committed staff, dedicated volunteers, and amazing supporters just like you, who make our mission possible each day. ![]()
![]()
From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
Our #StaffSpotlight is on Bonnie Eskell, Early Learning Inclusion Coordinator!![]()
![]()
Bonnie worked previously as an Early Childhood Development Specialist, helping to run daily operations at 4 Children First locations. She recently earned her M.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development from Capella University and joined our Comprehensive Services Team as an Inclusion Coordinator, where she works to support children and families in receiving the individualized services needed for success, both in school and in life.
Our #StaffSpotlight is on Miss Connie Vermette, lead teacher in the Red Crayon Classroom at our Dr. Marieb Early Learning Center!![]()
![]()
Miss Connie has been with Children First for nearly 18 years and can always be counted on for a smile or helping hand. She is known for her positive, can-do attitude and can be found creating incredible memories with children both in the classroom and on the playground.
October 26, 2017
Transitioning from one distinguished learning institution to another, Jessica Rogers will join Children First on December 6, 2017 as the new Vice President of Philanthropy after spending eleven years working in fundraising at New College of Florida, the state’s designated honors college for the liberal arts and sciences. As the leader of Children First’s philanthropy [...]
November 3, 2017
SARASOTA (Kim Doleatto, Herald Tribune, Nov. 1, 2017) — When young children in the backseat see a caretaker get pulled over for a traffic citation, or depictions of law enforcement in the media, it can lead to early perceptions of police that may spook and intimidate them.
But Sarasota Police Department officers took time out this [...]
December 13, 2017
SARASOTA, FL (WWSB) – The Sarasota Bay Rotary Club brought seasonal cheer and gifts to the students at Children First, Sarasota County’s Head Start provider.
Many of the children at Children First come from low-income families, and may not be able to receive gifts this season without the generosity of the community.
Club members also joined the [...]