Media Guide 2012 - Florida Department of Children & Families

Media Guide 

2012 

Florida Department of 

Children and Families

Table of Contents 

Headquarters Communications Staff....…………...……..……………..…………….3-5 

Regional Communications Staff……………..………………………………..…...…6-10 

Community-Based Care Contacts…..….………….………………….…………….11-12 

Open Government and Confidentiality...…………..………………...………………...13 

Executive Leadership Team.……..………...……………………………...…………14-21 

Regional Leadership Team…..……….……...……………….…………..….……....22-23 

Department Organizational Chart...………….…...………………………..…………...24 

2012 Media Guide provided by: 

Office of Communications 

Florida Department of Children and Families 

1317 Winewood Boulevard, Room 202 

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700 

Office: (850) 717-4450 Fax: (850) 487-0800 

DCF_Press_Office@dcf.state.fl.us 

(Updated October 2012) 

2

Headquarters Communications Staff 

Joe Follick, 

Communications Director 

Joe Follick joined the DCF communications office in October 2009. He has 17 

years of media and writing experience ranging from managing a newsroom in 

rural Ohio to covering gubernatorial and presidential campaigns in Florida. Joe 

has researched and reported on many issues in Florida government and politics for nine years, first 

for The Tampa Tribune and then for four Florida papers owned by The New York Times. He has 

worked in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan. He has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature 

from the University of Cincinnati. 

Erin Gillespie, 

Press Secretary 

Erin Gillespie, named the DCF press secretary in 2011, has been with the 

agency for four years, previously handling media coverage in the SunCoast 

Region, which covers 11 counties from Tampa to Naples. Prior to working at 

DCF, Erin was a newspaper reporter for six years. She spent two years at the 

Fort Myers News-Press covering immigration, social services and child welfare. During a four-year 

stint at the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer, she covered crime, schools, government and business, 

among other issues. Erin graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in journalism 

and Spanish and a master's degree in Hispanic Studies. 

Niki Pocock, 

Director of Digital Media & Outreach 

Niki Pocock joined DCF in December 2011 as the director of digital media and 

outreach. She has launched social media, marketing and public relations 

campaigns for organizations including the Florida Department of Education, 

Florida Healthy Kids, and the Florida Dental Association. She has also served in the press office at 

the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, where she was a public information officer for 

Florida State Parks, Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas, Green Lodging, Clean Marinas, 

environmental education, and during the 2005 hurricane season. Niki has a bachelor’s degree in 

public relations from the University of Florida. 

3


Jennifer Hartshorne, 

Public Affairs Director 

Jennifer Hartshorne joined DCF in May 2011 after holding numerous positions 

in the Governor’s Office of External Affairs during the terms of Governors Jeb 

Bush and Charlie Crist, where she was primarily responsible for public 

outreach activities, scheduling and planning high-profile public events. She also served as a 

Regional Field Director for the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Communications and 

Public Affairs. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Master of 

Education in Guidance and Counseling from Valdosta State University. 

Jon Bristow, 

Webmaster 

Shortly after graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University with degrees in 

Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering in 1997, Jon Bristow left 

England and began his career in the U.S. working with DCF as a contract 

programmer on the FLORIDA system that processes eligibility for federal benefits. In 2007, he 

joined DCF full-time as a report analyst in Information Technology Services before becoming the 

Webmaster in 2008. When the web team moved into the communications office in January 2012, 

Jon brought his knowledge, innovative web design techniques and international flair to the agency’s 

communications team. 

David Taylor, 

Web Services 

David Taylor joined the communications office in January 2012 after serving 

as an applications programmer for Information Technology Services. David is 

part of our web services team assisting in the maintenance and development 

of the department's web presence and specializes in graphic design, layout and accessibility 

compliance. He began work at the department in April 2000 and was promoted to his programming 

position in 2006. He began his state career in 1985 and also has worked in Agriculture and 

Consumer Services and at the Department of Management Services. 

4


Joe Follick, Communications Director 

Office: (850) 413-0771 

Cell: (850) 559-4860 

Joe_Follick@dcf.state.fl.us 

Niki Pocock, 

Director of Digital Media & Marketing 

Office: (850) 717-4449 

Cell: (850) 228-8773 

Niki_Pocock1@dcf.state.fl.us 

Jennifer King, 

Office Manager/Public Records Specialist 

Office: (850) 717-4453 

Cell: (850) 228-6947 

Jennifer_N_King@dcf.state.fl.us 

Jennifer King, 

Office Manager/Public Records Specialist 

Jennifer King joined the communications office in January 2010 after serving 

as an administrative assistant at the Florida Abuse Hotline. Previously, she 

served as an administrative assistant to the Office of Appeal Hearings for the department’s Office of 

the Inspector General. She also served as a staff assistant and senior clerk to the Office of 

Substance Abuse for the Department of Corrections. Jennifer has acquired two Davis Productivity 

awards for the Department of Children and Families’ recycling program. Jennifer is continuing her 

education in the field of Social Science with a focus in Urban and Regional Planning and Public 

Administration. 

Department Regions and Circuits 

There are six Department 

regions statewide: Northwest, 

Northeast, Central, SunCoast, 

Southeast and Southern. 

When the agency was 

reorganized in 2007, the state 

was divided into 20 circuits 

that align with the state’s 20 

judicial circuits. 

5 

Erin Gillespie, Press Secretary 

Office: (850) 717-4450 

Cell: (850) 459-2063 

Erin_Gillespie@dcf.state.fl.us 

Jennifer Hartshorne, Public Affairs Director 

Office: (850) 717-4597 

Cell: (850) 556-1633 

Jennifer_Hartshorne@dcf.state.fl.us 

David Taylor, Web Services 

Office: (850) 717-4519 

David_Taylor@dcf.state.fl.us 

Jon Bristow, Webmaster 

Office: (850) 717-4489 

Jon_Bristow@dcf.state.fl.us

Regional Communications Staff 

Nicole Stookey, 

Northwest Region Communications Director 

Nicole Stookey first joined DCF in 2003 as a member of the Legislative Affairs 

Team after serving in the Governor’s Office of External Affairs and Scheduling 

and at the Florida Medical Association. Nicole was appointed to Special 

Assistant to the Secretary where she continued her involvement in the 

legislative process and oversaw special interest projects and external affairs. 

Before joining the communications team, Nicole served as the Community Relations Manager for 

Circuit 2,. Nicole graduated from Florida State University with a Master of Science degree in Applied 

American Politics and Policy, a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, and a Bachelor of 

Science degree in Sports Management. 

John Harrell, 

Northeast Region Communications Director 

John Harrell has been with DCF since 2004. He has been interviewed and 

quoted by numerous media outlets. Harrell has done several live interviews on 

the national cable program Prime News on the HLN cable network, where he’s 

discussed child welfare issues and how agencies investigate high-profile 

cases. He’s also appeared on Inside Edition and Nancy Grace. Prior to 

joining DCF, John spent twelve years working in broadcast and print media in Jacksonville. He was 

the news director at one of the city’s leading radio stations and a traffic reporter for two television 

stations. He also worked as a freelance writer for several publications, including The Florida Times- 

Union and HealthSource magazine. For his work with the Florida Public Relations Association’s 

Jacksonville chapter, John was honored with a President’s Award for helping to increase the 

membership and overall visibility of the organization. 

Carrie Hoeppner, 

Central Region Communications Director 

Carrie Hoeppner began her career with our Department in 2001 as a case 

manager. In 2004, was promoted as the local spokesperson for DCF in the 

Orlando market. In 2006, she was appointed by Sheriff Don Eslinger with the 

Seminole County Sheriff’s Office as a member of his public information team. 

There, she helped to coordinate coverage for major breaking news events and also developed 

internal communication resources for the agency. In 2008, she returned to DCF as the regional 

Director of Communications, where she continues to oversee media coverage for 16 counties. 

Carrie regularly works with both national and local news organizations, specializing in crisis media, 

particularly during times of natural disaster or human tragedy. Carrie has a M.A. in Mass 

Communications from the University of Central Florida and her B.A. in Communications from the 

University of Salisbury, Maryland. 

6


Kristi Gray, 

Central Region Public Information Officer 

Kristi Gray began her career with DCF in 1994 as a case manager working 

directly with children and families in the child protection system. She later 

worked as an adult protective investigator and in 2000 was promoted to client 

relations. Kristi was then appointed as the Community Relations Manager for 

Orange and Osceola counties, where she maintains strong partnerships with local social service 

organizations. Kristi recently accepted a new role as the Central Region Client Relations Manager, 

and also serves as the Public Information Officer. She has a B.A. in Social Work from Florida State 

University and is currently working on her Master’s Degree in the School of Social Work at the 

University of Central Florida. 

Anna O’Brien, 

Central Region Media Relations Specialist 

Anna O’Brien joined the Central Region communications team in February 

2012. She was born and raised in Central Florida and is an avid equestrian. 

Anna is currently enrolled at Valencia Community College seeking a degree in 

Public Relations and Organizational Communications. She looks forward to attending the University 

of Central Florida after the completion of her A.A. Anna’s goal is to obtain her Master’s in 

Communications. 

Teresa Durdaller, 

SunCoast Region Communications Director 

Since coming to DCF in 2010, Terri Durdaller has worked in the state 

communications office, covered the Northwest Region and recently took the 

post as SunCoast Region Communications Director to be closer to her family 

in Tampa. Prior to DCF, Terri served as the Public Relations Director for CEA 

Marketing Group. Previously, she served as the Director of Communications for the Missouri 

Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security where she led the communication efforts for 

19 statewide disasters and implemented a successful crisis communication plan. Terri attended 

college at the University of Missouri-Columbia and received a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and 

a master’s degree in Public Administration. 

7


Paige Patterson-Hughes, 

Southeast Region Communications Director 

Paige Patterson-Hughes joined DCF in 2012 as the director of 

communications for Broward and Palm Beach counties after having served for 

12 years as the South Florida public information officer for the Florida 

Department of Law Enforcement, where she handled media relations for 

Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties. Paige handled high-profile cases 

including voter fraud investigations, high-rise burglaries, public corruption and Internet crimes 

against children. She also has prior experience as a public relations executive and journalist. Paige 

is a graduate of the University of Florida and holds a bachelor of science degree in journalism. 

Lissette Valdes-Valle, 

Southern Region Communications Director 

Lissette Valdes-Valle joined DCF's Southern Region in June 2010 after 

spending 18 years working in Spanish language media. Though she began her 

career in local television news in Miami, she soon made her way to the 

Univision Network where she was an associate producer for the internationally 

successful talk show "Cristina.” She then went on to Telemundo as a producer. 

Lissette received recognition for her work in Operacion Saddam, Telemundo's coverage of the U.S 

war in Iraq. In addition to her duties as a producer, she was on-camera talent and performed 

voiceover duties for the network. In 2009, she was part of the team that launched the Americas 

edition of Spain's Elmundo.es, one of the world's most read online newspapers. Lissette, a native of 

Miami, received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism with an area of 

concentration in International Relations from Florida International University. She also has a 

background in theater and is an accomplished flamenco dancer. 

8

Circuits: 1, 2 and 14 


Northwest Region 

Counties: Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, 

Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, 

Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton and Washington 

Media Markets: Panama City, Pensacola and Tallahassee 

Circuits: 3, 4, 7 and 8 

Northeast Region 

Counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, 

Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, 

Madison, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, 

Union and Volusia 

Media Markets: Daytona Beach, Gainesville and 

Jacksonville 

Circuits: 5, 9,10, 18 

and 19 

Central Region 

Counties: Brevard, 

Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Indian River, Lake, 

Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Polk, 

Seminole, St. Lucie and Sumter 

Media Markets: Fort Pierce, Ocala and Orlando 

9 

Nicole Stookey, Communications Director 

Location: Tallahassee 

Office: (850) 488-0568 

Cell: (850) 509-2675 

Nicole_Stookey@dcf.state.fl.us 

John Harrell, Communications Manager 

Location: Jacksonville 

Office: (904) 723-5470 

Cell: (904) 233-7792 

John_Harrell@dcf.state.fl.us 

Carrie Hoeppner, Communications Director 

Location: Orlando 

Office: (407) 317-7056 

Cell: (407) 264-1379 

Carrie_Hoeppner@dcf.state.fl.us 

Kristi Gray, Public Information Officer 

Office: (407) 317-7042 

Cell: (407) 770-8777 

Kristin_Gray@dcf.state.fl.us 

Anna O’Brien, Media Relations Specialist 

Office: (407) 317-7952 

Cell: (321) 239-6541 

Anna_Obrien@dcf.state.fl.us

Circuits: 6, 12, 13 and 20 

SunCoast Region 

Counties: Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, 

Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota 

Media Markets: Fort Myers, Naples, St. Petersburg, 

Sarasota and Tampa 

Circuits: 15 and 17 


Southeast Region 

Counties: Broward and Palm Beach 

Media Markets: West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale 

Circuits: 11 and 16 

Southern Region 

Counties: Miami-Dade and Monroe 

Media Markets: Miami and Key West 

10 

Terri Durdaller, Communications Director 

Location: Tampa 

Office: (813) 558-5531 

Cell: (813) 917-7570 

Teresa_Durdaller@dcf.state.fl.us 

Paige Patterson-Hughes, 

Communications Director 

Location: Fort Lauderdale 

Office: 954-202-3209 

Cell: 954-410-3931 

Paige_Patterson@dcf.state.fl.us 

Lissette Valdes-Valle, Communications Director 

Location: Miami 

Office: (305) 377-5055 ext. 331 

Cell: (305) 345-8407 

E-mail: Lissette_Valdes-Valle@dcf.state.fl.us

Community-Based Care Contacts 

Florida’s child welfare system is operated by 20 community-based care lead agencies across the state. The following 

information allows the media to contact the community-based care agencies directly on issues concerning adoptions, foster 

care, and in-home and out-of-home services for children and families. 

Circuit(s) Community-Based Care 

Agency 

Northwest Region 

Contact Name Phone E-mail 

1 Families First Network Linda Roush (850) 453-7745 linda.roush@bhcpns.org 

2 and 14 Big Bend CBC Barbara Flury ((941) 626-5729 barbara@capitolalliance.com 


Agency 

3 & 8 Partnership for Strong 

Families 

4 

(Duval, 

Nassau) 

Family Support Services 

of North Florida 

Northeast Region 


Jenn Petion (352) 244-1521 jenn.petion@pfsf.org 

Lisa Collins (904) 421-5800 

ext. 797 

4 Kids First of Florida Irene Toto (904) 278-5644 

ext. 2007 

7 

(St. Johns) 

7 

(Flagler, 

Putnam, 

Volusia) 

lisa.collins@fssnf.org 

itoto@theigd.org 

Family Integrity Program Ven Thomas (904) 209-6080 vthomas@sjcfl.us 

Community Partnership 

for Children 


Agency 

6, 13 Eckerd Community 

Alternatives 

Mark Jones (386) 547-8924 Mark.jones@cbcvf.org 

SunCoast Region 


April Putzulu (727) 461-1236 

x 331 

12 Sarasota Family YMCA Andrea Mertyris (941) 371-4799 

x110 

20 Children’s Network of 

Southwest Florida 

aputzulu@eckerd.org 

amertyris@sarasota-ymca.org 

Aimee McLaughlin (239) 226-1524 amclaughlin@childnetswfl.org 

11

Community-Based Care Contacts 


Agency 

Central Region 


5 Kids Central Danielle Damato (352) 873- 

6332 x 3452 

10 Heartland For Children Kim Daughtery (863) 519- 

8900 x 204 

18 

(Brevard) 

9 & 18 

(Seminole) 

CBC of Brevard 

(Brevard Family 

Partnership) 

Geo Ropert (321) 205- 

3155 

CBC of Central Florida Joe Durso (407) 328- 

3802 

19 United For Families Christina Kaiser (727) 398-2920 

ext. 298 


Agency 

Southeast Region 

danielle.damato@kidscentralinc.org 

kdaugher@heartlandforchildren.org 

geo.ropert@cbcbrevard.org 

joseph.durso@cbccfl.org 

christina.kaiser@uff.us 


15, 17 ChildNet Elizabeth Wynter (954) 557- 

2282 


Agency 

11 & 16 Our Kids of Miami-Dade/ 

Monroe 

Southern Region 

ewynter@childnet.us 


Kadie Black 305-455-6000 kadie@ourkids.us 

12

Open Government and 

Confidentiality 

Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law sets a high standard of open records and transparency 

of public information and meetings, and open government is also a core value of the Department 

of Children and Families and the Office of Communications. 

Our citizens deserve services that are provided in a creative, seamless and transparent manner. 

The Department is committed to providing easy access to public records and the policies and 

procedures related to Department records. 

The Department’s Communications Office staff and statewide media contacts are sometimes 

unable to release case-specific information involving Child Protective Investigations and/or 

Adult Protective Investigations due to the restraints outlined in Chapters 39 and 415 of the 

Florida Statutes: 

�� 39.202- In order to protect the rights of the child and the child's parents or other persons 

responsible for the child's welfare, all records held by the department concerning reports 

of child abandonment, abuse, or neglect, including reports made to the central abuse 

hotline and all records generated as a result of such reports, shall be confidential. 

�� 415.107- In order to protect the rights of the individual or other persons responsible for the 

welfare of a vulnerable adult, all records concerning reports of abuse, neglect, or 

exploitation of the vulnerable adult, including reports made to the central abuse hotline, 

and all records generated as a result of such reports shall be confidential. 

The Department of Children and Families’ Communication Office will work with media outlets 

and the public to fulfill all public records requests to the greatest extent possible. 

Some situations may occur in which a case may be exempt from the restraints outlined in 

Chapters 39 and 415. View both chapters in their entirety at: 

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/ 

The Department of Children and Families also must abide by the Health Insurance Portability and 

Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) which, in most cases, prevents the disclosure of 

personal health information and medical records. View HIPAA in its entirety at: 

http://www.hipaa.org/ 

13

David E. Wilkins, 

Secretary 

Executive Leadership Team 

Secretary David Wilkins brings decades of experience in business 

and charitable leadership to the Florida Department of Children and 

Families. 

His vision for the Department is focused on empowering front-line 

staff, engaging communities, improving programs and helping 

families become accountable and self-sufficient. Early in 2011, 

Secretary Wilkins launched several business improvements focused 

on operational efficiency and improved customer service in child 

welfare, benefit eligibility determination and in the substance abuse 

and mental health service delivery area. 

Secretary Wilkins has emphasized the necessity of community 

engagement in helping children, families and vulnerable adults 

across the state. He has reorganized his regional operations to 

focus on community empowerment. With the leadership of Gov. Rick 

Scott, he kicked off a new initiative called “Partners for Promise,” 

which connects businesses to people in the community who need a 

helping hand. He launched a faith-based agenda for the 

Department, and he created “Camps for Champions,” a statewide 

program that gives thousands of foster children the chance to go to a 

summer camp and connect with nationally recognized celebrities. 

In March 2012, Governor Scott appointed Secretary Wilkins as Florida’s Chief Operating Officer for 

Government Operations. As COO, he will assist all executive branch agencies in increasing 

efficiencies and reducing government bureaucracy. Secretary Wilkins is the chair of the Florida 

Children and Youth Cabinet, serves on the Medicaid and Public Assistance Fraud Strike Force and 

sits on the Attorney General’s Commission on Drug Abuse and Prevention. 

In 2010, Secretary Wilkins retired from Accenture after a 29-year career with the global 

management, consulting, technology and business operations company. Promoted to partner at the 

age of 32, Wilkins served in numerous management roles in a business that had more than 200,000 

employees and a market cap of more than $34 billion. His work included overseeing local offices 

and directing business in more than 25 countries. He led the government strategic planning and 

corporate acquisitions and operated several business units. For the last five years of his tenure, he 

was in charge of the global sales organization of the Accenture Health and Public Service business, 

which was one of the five major business units in the company. 

Secretary Wilkins was an active volunteer for the United Way and at the Florida Baptist Children’s 

Homes, serving on the board of directors for both organizations. He also helped launch “Orphan’s 

Heart,” a successful international child care services program. He and his wife Tanya have been 

recognized for their philanthropy and civic leadership numerous times and are active in their church. 

A native of Kentucky, Secretary Wilkins graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lambuth University in 

1982 with a B.S. degree in Management Information Systems. He was president of the student body 

and his fraternity. He was a varsity scholarship athlete in basketball and tennis. Secretary Wilkins, 

his wife and three teenage daughters live in Tallahassee and are active in numerous charitable and 

community organizations. 

14


Suzanne Vitale, 

Deputy Secretary 

Suzanne Vitale was appointed Deputy Secretary in 2012. Suzanne joined DCF 

in 2010, first as the Circuit 15 Operations Manager overseeing child welfare, 

adult protection and ACCESS services and then as the Regional Managing 

Director of the expansive 16-county Central Region. She has 24 years of 

experience in public service, having served as the first Hispanic Deputy Undersecretary at the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, providing policy direction on nutrition and domestic hunger programs 

throughout the nation. This included food assistance, school breakfast and lunch programs, 

emergency feeding, after school and summer camp food programs, and the Women, Infants and 

Children program. Suzanne's broad career has spanned local, state, and federal levels, all focused 

on improving and transforming the health and human service delivery system. Suzanne holds a 

bachelor's degree from Radford University and is a graduate of the Executive Development Program 

at the University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Affairs. 

Gerald Peter “Pete” Digre, 

Assistant Deputy Secretary for Operations 

Pete Digre is the Assistant Deputy Secretary for Operations. He has more 

than 40 years of experience in the health and human services field, with an 

emphasis on community-based care for children, youth and families. He has 

held leadership positions for social service agencies in Los Angeles County, 

Philadelphia County and the state of Illinois. In addition, he previously served 

as Deputy Secretary for Operations at the Florida Department of Health and 

Rehabilitative Services, which precedes DCF. Pete holds bachelor's degrees with honors in 

Sociology and Philosophy from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree with honors in Social 

Work from George Williams College, a master’s degree with honors in Public Administration from 

Roosevelt University, and a doctorate of Ministry from the University of Chicago. 

Robert Siedlecki, 

Assistant Secretary for Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Rob Siedlecki was most recently the Secretary of the Kansas Department of 

Social and Rehabilitation Services, overseeing a social services agency with 

more than 5,000 employees and a $1.7 billion budget. Previously, Rob served 

as chief of staff for the Florida Department of Health and a special assistant at 

the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

in Washington, D.C. Rob graduated from Pine Crest High School in Fort Lauderdale, earned his B.A. 

from Harvard College and his law degree from Cornell Law School. 

15


Scott Stewart, 

Assistant Secretary for Administration 

Scott Stewart was appointed as the Assistant Secretary for Administration in 

2011. He was previously the agency’s Chief Information Officer, responsible 

for overseeing information technology systems and coordinating data sharing 

between state and federal agencies and among our employees and partners. Previously, Scott 

served as Chief Information Officer for the Agency for Workforce Innovation and worked as an IT 

director and officer for the Florida Department of Corrections, the state’s Department of Business 

and Professional Regulation and other state agencies. Scott also brings private sector expertise 

from working with Walt Disney World and Scotty’s. Scott earned his Bachelor of Science in Business 

Administration from Florida Southern College in Lakeland and his Master of Business Administration 

from Nova University in Fort Lauderdale. 

Drew Parker, 

General Counsel 

Drew Parker was appointed General Counsel in May 2011. Before coming to 

DCF, Drew worked for Ard, Shirley & Rudolph, P.A. in Tallahassee, where his 

practice focused primarily on representing public and private clients in civil and 

administrative litigation. Prior to his time in private practice, Drew worked for 

the Florida Department of Financial Services in its Constitutional Issues Section, where his 

responsibilities included representing Florida’s Chief Financial Officer’s in matters related to the 

CFO’s constitutional duty to approve and settle claims against the State of Florida. Drew earned a 

Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Sociology, as well as his Juris Doctor degree, 

from Florida State University. Drew also earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern 

Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame. 

Chris Hirst, 

Inspector General 

Chris Hirst comes to DCF from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 

where he most recently served as Chief of Investigations, overseeing major 

investigations including public corruption and police officer-involved shootings. 

Chris has worked closely with DCF for more than 25 years in a variety of roles 

at FDLE and local law enforcement. He also currently serves as co-chair of the North Florida Child 

Death Review Team, which researches the role of child abuse and neglect in the deaths of children 

in Circuits 2 and 3. 

16


Amanda Prater, 

Chief of Staff 

Amanda Prater was named Chief of Staff in 2012 after serving as the 

department’s Legislative Affairs Director. She has also served in state 

government focusing on health and human services over the past six years. 

She has worked as a health and human services analyst in the Governor's 

Office of Policy and Budget, the Governor's Legislative Affairs Office, the Florida House Majority 

Office, and most recently, the House Health and Human Services Committee. She has extensive 

experience concerning the legislative process and health and human services issues. She 

graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Political Science. 

Ian Cotner, 

Director of Legislative Affairs 

Ian Cotner was appointed to serve as Legislative Affairs Director for DCF in 

2012. He has roughly a decade of experience in the legislative process, and 

more than three years of experience practicing law. Ian previously served in 

the legislative offices of former House Majority Leader Adam Hasner and 

Speaker Pro Tempore John Legg. He also served as Assistant Attorney General under former 

Attorney General Bill McCollum. In the private sector, Ian provided legal and consulting services on 

a wide array of legal and public policy matters. Most recently, he provided consulting services for 

The Fiorentino Group and Floridian Partners while managing his own law practice. Ian earned his 

Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences from Florida 

State University, and his Juris Doctor degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville. He 

has been an active member of The Florida Bar since 2009. 

Kristin Vallese, 

Director of Executive Communications 

Kristin Vallese is the Department’s Director of Executive Communication, 

managing a myriad of duties including correspondence, client relations and 

internal and external communications. Kristin was recently the interim CEO 

and Director of Outreach and Operations for the Florida Children’s Services Council and has 

extensive experience in management, strategic communications and legislative affairs. Previously, 

Kristin was the Director of Communications for the Florida Association of Counties and the Florida 

Association of the American Institute of Architects. 

17


John F. Davis, 

Director of External Affairs 

John F. Davis serves as the Director of External Affairs, focusing on grassroots 

outreach to develop and maintain critical relationships with community partners 

and associations. John was most recently president of the JFD Consulting 

Group where he worked closely with community leaders and organizations as an advocate. John 

graduated from The Florida State University in 1994 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science 

and a minor in Criminology. 

Pat Badland, 

Director of Operations 

Patricia Badland is responsible for coordinating and integrating the work of all 

of our program areas throughout the regions. She joined DCF in July 2005 and 

has also served as the director of the Family Safety Program Office and 

administrator for the Assistant Secretary of Operations. Her professional career began in 1980 as an 

assistant for the 10th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Program and later as the Director of the 2nd 

Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Program. From 1987-2005, Pat served the judicial system in a 

variety of capacities, including lead staff to the Commission on Family Courts, analyst for the 

Dispute Resolution Center and Chief of the Office of Court Improvement for dependency, 

delinquency, dissolution, child support, domestic violence and drug courts. Pat graduated with a BA 

in 1980 from the University of South Florida, Tampa. 

Elisa Cramer, 

Family and Community Services Director 

Elisa Cramer was appointed Director of Family and Community Services in 

2012. Elisa started at DCF in 2009 as the Communications Director in Palm 

Beach County, and has more recently served as a Community Development 

Administrator for that region. Prior to joining DCF, Elisa worked at The Palm 

Beach Post for 15 years, serving in various roles until March of 2003, when 

she was appointed to The Post's editorial board, where she remained until August 2008. Her 

columns and editorials on the welfare of children and women earned her the 2005 Extra Mile Award 

by the Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County. Elisa earned a bachelor's degree from 

Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga., graduating with honors with a major in English. 

18


Kimberly Barrett, 

Director of the Florida Abuse Hotline 

Kim Barrett was appointed as Director of the Florida Abuse Hotline in March 

2011. Kim has served the department as an Abuse Registry Supervisor for the 

Crime Intelligence Unit, a Data Analyst, a Business Analyst, a Management 

Analyst and a Systems Manager. Work experience outside of the agency 

includes being an Education Director for the Twin Oaks Juvenile Development Corporation at the 

Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and as an Underwriter for SEFCO/PrimeRate Premium 

Finance Corporation. Kim holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business/Marketing from Florida State 

University as well as a Master’s in Public Administration. Additionally, Kim has received certification 

Kellie Sweat, 

Director of Child Protection Transformation 

Kellie Sweat Darnell joined DCF in 2011 as the Director of the Child Protection Transformation. 

Kellie comes to us from CGI, an international information technology and business process service 

firm. She was a Manager of Consulting Services and was the lead subject matter expert and project 

manager for the Florida Safe Families Network system. Previously, she was the Chief Operations 

Officer for Community Based Care of Brevard. Kellie previously worked for DCF from 1998 until 

2004, starting as a child protective investigator before moving into several leadership roles. Kellie 

will lead the implementation of our critical child protection transformation plan, including a new 

safety management framework, creating a Command Center at the Florida Abuse Hotline, new 

career model for investigators, enhancing the role of supervisors, improving training curriculum, and 

ensuring the success of the transformation pilot projects. 

Mary Cagle, 

Director of Children’s Legal Services 

Mary Cagle began her career in the 11th Judicial Circuit State Attorneys Office 

under the guidance of Janet Reno. Since then, she has demonstrated her 

talent for leading by example and for working with many diverse populations to 

achieve a just end to any issue she confronts. Under Mary’s leadership, Children’s Legal Services 

has led the nation in advocacy for children and their families. Guided by her belief that state lawyers 

have a duty to protect our children’s best interest, Mary has transformed the way law is practiced in 

Florida on behalf of the thousands of children in foster care. She has tirelessly worked to restructure 

how legal services are delivered to dependent children and has relentlessly pursued solutions to 

some of the most difficult legal issues that face children and families. 

19


Joe Vastola, 

Enterprise Project Management Office Director 

Joe Vastola was appointed Director of the Enterprise Project Management Office in October 2012. 

He joined DCF in March 2005, first as Project Director overseeing the implementation and statewide 

rollout of Florida's child welfare information system, then as Information Technology Staff Director 

responsible for all DCF business systems. Joe has 27 years of diverse information technology 

experience having managed teams and delivered IT solutions in the private, nonprofit, and 

government sectors. He has served as a member of the Federal Technology Advisory Group for 

child welfare. He graduated from the State University of New York College at Buffalo with a degree 

in Information System Management. 

Amanda Huston, 

Director of Public Benefits Integrity 

Amanda Huston came to DCF in 2012 after working in law enforcement since 

2001. Amanda has worked with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and 

Firearms as well as the Florida Departments of Financial Services and 

Transportation. Most recently, she served as a Lieutenant in the Attorney 

General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. She represented the AG’s office as a 

member of the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, Health Care Fraud Task 

Force and has also served as a liaison to several inter-agency fraud groups, the Florida Fusion 

Center, and the State Emergency Operations Center. She received her bachelor’s and master’s 

degrees in Criminology from Florida State University. 

Jeri Flora, 

Economic Self-Sufficiency Director 

Jeri Flora was named the ACCESS Program Director in 2012. She is 

responsible for overall policy development and interpretation, training and 

quality control work in support of the economic self-sufficiency programs. Jeri 

joined DCF in 2007 as Chief of Quality Management where she re-engineered 

the systems that helped position the state for national recognition as a leader 

in program accuracy. Under her guidance, Florida earned its first ever SNAP accuracy bonus, an 

achievement in Florida for five years in a row. Since December 2011, Jeri has served as our Chief of 

Program Policy. She has worked in social services for more than 15 years and has more than 27 

years of corporate personnel and management experience. Jeri received her BA in Liberal Studies at 

Lincoln University with an emphasis in social issues, criminal justice and psychology. 

20

Regional Leadership Team 

Hiram Ruiz, 

Director of Refugee Services 

Hiram Ruiz, appointed Director of Refugee Services in 2008, was born in Cuba 

and raised in Miami. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Florida 

State University. He spent eight years as a social worker in London, England, 

and later worked in Vietnamese refugee centers in Scotland and England. 

Hiram spent three years working with refugees in Somalia and Sudan with the 

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. After returning to the United States, he joined the 

District of Columbia’s refugee program. He subsequently spent 16 years as a Senior Policy Analyst 

with the U.S. Committee for Refugees, a private, Washington, D.C.-based refugee advocacy group. 

He traveled to more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to assess the needs of 

refugees and advocated for adequate U.S. and international responses. Hiram has authored more 

than 20 publications on refugees and wrote articles and chapters for numerous other publications, 

including Forced Migration Review, International Journal of Refugee Law, State of the World's 

Refugees, and the Brookings Institution's The Forsaken People, Case Studies of the Internally 

Displaced. Ruiz later served as Director of Communications for USCR. In 2004, he returned to 

Miami as the political director of a local union. 

21


Vicki Abrams, 

Northwest Regional Managing Director 

Vicki began her career in 1977 with the former Department of Health and 

Rehabilitative Services at Florida State Hospital’s Mentally Retarded Defendant 

Program. After serving as the Executive Director of the Gulf County Association 

for Retarded Citizens, Vicki returned to HRS in 1984 with the Developmental 

Services Program Office in Panama City. From there Vicki worked in Contract Management for 

Developmental Services (now Agency for Persons with Disabilities), Family Safety, and ACCESS 

Florida. She also has experience in managing Volunteer Services, and operations in Foster Care, 

Child Care Licensing, Adult Services, ACCESS Florida, and Substance Abuse & Mental Health. 

Mike Carroll, 

SunCoast Regional Managing Director 

Mike Carroll is a 21-year veteran with the Department and has a wide array of 

program and service experience. He served as the program director overseeing 

substance abuse and mental health, family safety, adult protective services, and 

ACCESS programs in the 11 county SunCoast Region, which spans from Pasco 

to Collier County since March 2006. He is recognized as a skilled 

organizational and work system’s assessor, has served on the Florida Sterling Board of Examiners 

for 13 years, and is currently a master examiner and facilitator for the Governor’s Sterling Award 

process. He was an integral member of the region’s effort in implementing the managing entity 

concept in substance abuse and mental health, transitioning to a community-based system of care 

in child welfare, and redesigning the ACCESS service delivery system. Mike’s previous management 

experience included foster care and day care licensing, strategic planning, quality assurance, 

ACCESS eligibility programs, and special programs including one focused on reintegrating ex-felons 

into the community. He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Boston College 

and is a Certified Public Manager. Mike is active in the local community and has served as a youth 

coach and mentor for more than 25 years. 

David Abramowitz, 

Northeast Regional Managing Director 

In 2012, Col. David Abramowitz, a former Inspector General with the United 

States Armed Forces Command, began leading the Northeast Region, which 

covers 20 counties including Jacksonville, Gainesville and Daytona Beach. David 

has 30 years of experience with the U.S. Army, starting as an aviation officer, 

then serving as a battalion commander in Germany and a brigade commander in 

Korea. In 2007, he served as commandant of the Sergeants Major Academy in 

Fort Bliss, Texas, and then as chief of staff for the Iraq Assistance Group in Baghdad. He graduated 

with a bachelor’s degree in science from the United States Air Force Academy, and has a master’s 

degree in international security strategy studies from the United States Army War College and a 

master’s degree in military art and science from the United States Army Command and General 

Staff College. 

22


William “Bill” D’Aiuto, 

Central Regional Managing Director 

Bill D’Aiuto, appointed in 2012, began his career on the front line as a public 

assistance specialist for the agency. During his 20-year tenure, Bill has held 

various positions, bringing a wealth of experience to the Central Region. He 

served as the region’s ACCESS Director and was also the Circuit 5 Administrator. 

Bill is a graduate of the 2006 Department of Children and Families Executive 

Leadership Program and played a crucial role in the modernization of public 

assistance. He was also a critical figure in the Haiti Repatriation Operations of 2009, assisting with 

the emergency re-entry of more than 12,000 Haitian-Americans to the United States. Bill earned his 

Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Arts Degrees from the University of Central Florida. 

Dennis Miles, 

Southeast Regional Managing Director 

Dennis Miles joined the department in 2003 as a child protective investigator and 

worked his way up as a supervisor, program administrator and director of 

support services before being named the Director of Family and Community 

Services. In 2012, Dennis was appointed as Regional Managing Director for the 

Southeast Region, heading up operations in Palm Beach and Broward counties. Dennis was 

honorably discharged after a 13-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, leaving with the rank of 

Captain-select. At the time, he was Company Commander in the 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion. 

Before coming to the Department, he also worked at the Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s office 

and in the financial services industry. A proud Gator, Miles earned a bachelor’s degree in Political 

Science from the University of Florida in 1985 while on active duty. 

Esther Jacobo, 

Southern Regional Managing Director 

Esther Jacobo has been with the Department since 2008 and most recently 

served as Statewide Deputy Director for Children’s Legal Services, where she 

was responsible for statewide litigation practices of CLS across the state. Ms. 

Jacobo received her Law Degree from St. Thomas University in Miami in 1992. That same year she 

was appointed as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade County by Janet Reno and remained in 

that office until April 2007. In January 2001, she was promoted by Katherine Fernandez Rundle to 

Division Chief of the Domestic Crimes Unit. There, Ms. Jacobo supervised all domestic violence 

prosecutions in Miami-Dade County, participated in community-based initiatives to assist victims of 

domestic violence and developed protocol to be used in both the felony and misdemeanor courts 

with regard to these cases. In April 2007, Ms. Jacobo joined the prestigious family law firm of Elser & 

Foster-Morales in Miami. In February 2008, she was asked to take a leadership role at DCF under 

then-Secretary Bob Butterworth and Statewide Director of CLS, Mary Cagle. Ms. Jacobo has 

dedicated most of her public service career to the safety and well-being of Florida’s families. 

23

Media Guide 2012 - Florida Department of Children & Families

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