UF Child Protection Team Daytona Beach

10/26/2026

🎃👻 Have a SAFE & SPOOKTACULAR Halloween! 🧡🖤

Halloween is full of costumes, candy, and fun—but keeping our children safe is the sweetest treat of all! 🍬🎃

🧡 Remember these Halloween safety tips:
👨‍👩‍👧 Stay with a trusted adult.
🔦 Wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight or glow stick.
🚸 Use crosswalks and watch for traffic.
🍭 Check candy before eating.
💜 Be kind, include others, and keep Halloween bullying-free.
👀 Report anything suspicious to a trusted adult.
🎭 Choose safe, age-appropriate costumes and activities.
❤️ Trust your instincts and speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

Every child deserves to feel safe, protected, and supported—not just on Halloween, but every day of the year. 🧡

📣 Share this post to help keep our local children safe this Halloween!

Wishing all our families a fun, safe, and SPOOKTACULAR Halloween! 🎃👻

09/26/2026

🚗👶 Free Car Seat Check Event! 👶🚗

📅 Tuesday, September 29
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Halifax Health Medical Center, France Tower

No appointment necessary.

🚗👶 Free Car Seat Check Event! 👶🚗

Did you know that many car seats are installed incorrectly? Help keep your child safe by attending a FREE Car Seat Check hosted by SafeKids Volusia/Flagler Counties. Certified technicians will inspect your car seat installation, answer your questions, and help ensure your child is traveling as safely as possible. This free community service is provided by Halifax Health Healthy Communities.

📅 Tuesday, September 29
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Halifax Health Medical Center, France Tower Portico

No appointment necessary. Stop by and gain peace of mind knowing your little one is riding safely!

09/05/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day Weekend! ❤️💙

As families gather to celebrate the long weekend, let’s make child safety part of the plan.

☀️ Keep children within sight and supervision.
🏊 Practice water safety around pools, beaches, and other bodies of water.
🚗 Buckle up and use the appropriate car seat or seat belt every trip.
🧴 Protect children from the sun and keep them hydrated.
👀 Know where your children are, especially in crowded places.
💬 Keep communication open and remind children that they can come to a trusted adult with anything that makes them uncomfortable or unsafe.

A safe childhood builds a stronger tomorrow. Together, we can help make this holiday weekend safe, happy, and memorable for every child. ❤️

🇺🇸 Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!

08/24/2026

Awesome job Rachel, Nicole, and Tim!

I was proud to meet with the University of Florida’s Child Protection Team (CPT) to talk about the importance of helping ensure victims and their families have access to medical care, counseling, and social work experts in the aftermath of a crime. That’s why I am proud to cosponsor the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act to help victims cover direct, out-of-pocket expenses and provide grants for local organizations, shelters, and crisis centers that provide direct services to them.

08/23/2026

🎒💙 A New School Year, A Fresh Start!

As our children head back to school, let’s remind them that kindness matters, every voice matters, and bullying is never okay.

Talk with your child. Listen without judgment. Encourage them to speak up, include others, and always know they can turn to a trusted adult for help.

Together, families, schools, and communities can create a safe and supportive environment where every child feels valued, respected, and included. 💙

🌟 Let’s start the school year with kindness!

08/17/2026

The Swimming Lesson Voucher Program is officially back open! 🏊

Eligible Florida families can receive FREE swim lessons for children ages 1-7 through certified swim instructors.

Swimming is a lifesaving skill that helps children build water safety skills and reduce the risk of drowning. Apply for your voucher at FloridaHealth.gov/WaterSmart.

08/10/2026

🎒📚 BACK TO SCHOOL: SAFETY, KINDNESS & COMMUNITY 💙

As children return to school, families, educators, and community members all play an important role in creating safe environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

Please remind children to:
🚸 Cross safely — use designated crosswalks, follow traffic signals, and look both ways before crossing.
👀 Stay alert — pay attention to their surroundings and avoid distractions when walking or traveling to and from school.
🗣️ Speak up — if something feels unsafe, unusual, or suspicious, tell a trusted adult and keep telling until someone listens.
🤝 Lead with kindness — treat classmates and others with respect, inclusion, and compassion.
💙 Know they matter — every child deserves to feel safe, heard, respected, and supported.

Together, we can help make this school year a safe, positive, and successful one for every child. 🌟

07/27/2026

Last week, members of our team had the privilege of attending the Krimes Against Kids Conference 2026 in Orlando, where professionals from across the country came together with one shared mission—protecting children and strengthening our response to child abuse.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from nationally recognized experts, explore the latest research and best practices, and connect with dedicated professionals committed to making a difference in the lives of children and families.

The knowledge, skills, and partnerships gained throughout the conference will help us continue providing compassionate, trauma-informed services to the children we serve in our community.

Thank you to everyone who made this incredible learning experience possible. We are inspired, energized, and more committed than ever to our mission of protecting children and supporting families.

07/21/2026

📚💙🧡 Save Money While Giving Back! 🧡💙📚

Florida’s Back-to-School Tax-Free Holiday is the perfect opportunity to stock up on school supplies while helping local children start the school year with confidence!

As you’re taking advantage of tax-free savings, please consider picking up a few extra items to donate to our Back-to-School Supply Drive. Every notebook, pack of crayons, backpack, or folder helps support children and families served by the First Coast Child Protection Team.

Together, we can ensure every child has the tools they need to learn, grow, and succeed this school year.

📍 Please see the flyer for donation drop-off locations and collection details.

📅 Donations are being accepted through August 10, 2026.

Thank you for supporting our community and making a difference—one school supply at a time! 💙📓✏️🧡

Thank you to Scooter's Coffee for being a drop off location and offering the coupon to help support our local children.

07/17/2026

Please me mindful of a child’s online activity. Reach out to any local law enforcement for suspicious activity or concerns. Thank you to our community partners at Port Orange Police Department.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1339244628391300&id=100069173260851

PARENTS & GUARDIANS: Do you know all the apps on your child’s phone?

As our kids spend more time online, the Port Orange Police Department wants to make sure our local families stay one step ahead of digital dangers. Many popular apps have hidden features that expose children to cyberbullying, location tracking, and contact from strangers.