SHABBAT GUEST SPEAKER FROM HEARTLAND FOR CHILDREN

About Heartland for Children: Heartland for Children is the community-based care agency, contracted with the Department of Children and Families, that oversees all of child welfare for Circuit 10, which is Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties.  Heartland for Children is committed to improving the safety, permanency, and well-being for all children in our Circuit.

About Carmen Walker: Carmen Walker is here to share about Heartland for Children and the urgent need for more foster parents.  Carmen and her husband have been foster parents for over 8 years and worked as houseparents in a children’s home before that.  They have 3 children aged 3, 5, and 8.  They have had the privilege of caring for over 20 children during that time, and the joy of adopting their oldest child through the foster care system. They currently have 2 foster children.  Carmen’s background education is in Mental Health counseling, they own a bookstore in Lakeland, and she serves as a Foster Care Recruiter with Heartland for Children.

Mission & Vision

• Mission: Improve the safety, permanency, and well-being of all children and families in the tri-county region 

• Vision:

  • Eliminate child abuse and neglect within Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties 

  • Build an ethical, effective child welfare system that values innovation, diversity, accountability, collaboration, and results‑orientation

️ Role & Services

As the lead community‑based care agency (Circuit 10), HFC does not deliver most services directly but instead contracts and manages a comprehensive support network across child welfare programs 

Areas they coordinate include:

• Protective services

• Foster care and relative care placements

• Emergency shelter

• Family preservation and reunification services

• Adoption support

• Independent living services for youth aging out of foster care 

Scale & Reach

• As of July 2025, Heartland for Children is serving over 1,162 children in Polk County, 536 in Highlands, and 35 in Hardee County, though these numbers fluctuate daily 

• In fiscal year 2023, HFC served approximately 6,000 clients and reported program expenses of about $65 million, with revenues near $66.7 million

Support & Resources for Families

Heartland for Children offers a wide array of caregiver and adoptive family support:

• Foster caregiver training and ongoing education, including modules on parenting skills, placement protocols, and legal requirements .

• Post‑adoption services, including subsidy programs, Medicaid coverage, college tuition waivers, and access to support specialists .

• Community accountability and prevention resources, such as the annual “Pinwheels for Prevention” awareness campaign, holiday toy drives like Rudolph Round-Up, and partnerships with faith-based groups and local nonprofits

Community Engagement Opportunities

Residents can get involved through:

• Fostering or adopting children (especially teens, sibling groups, or children with special needs)

• Mentorship programs or volunteering

• Donations—monetary gifts, wish-list sponsorships, or support for events

• Faith and community partnerships to support families and raise awareness 

✅ Trust & Accountability

Heartland for Children holds a rating of three stars from Charity Navigator, with a balanced compensation ratio indicating responsible financial management

Summary Table