Members of the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services (FNYFS), elected officials and key stakeholders convened in Sarasota for the Florida Network’s annual meeting and a celebration of 50 years of impact. Through a series of discussions centered on the theme -- "Honoring the Past, Leading the Present, and Shaping the Future" -- attendees celebrated key milestones in the Florida Network’s history and the communities that have been transformed through proactive efforts to support children and families in need before they encounter trouble.
50th ANNIVERSARY
In The News
FLORIDA POLITICS
50 years in, Florida Network of Youth and Family Services makes the business case for prevention
The Florida Network of Youth and Family Services celebrated its 50th anniversary at its annual meeting in Sarasota last week, and it came with a balance sheet: 14,333 youth and families served in 2025, and an estimated $9.19 returned to the state for every $1 it spends on prevention.
TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT
How Florida saves millions by
helping at-risk youth
Fifty years ago, a group of dedicated leaders recognized a simple but powerful truth: every young person deserves someone willing to step in before a crisis becomes a tragedy.
FLORIDA POLITICS
50 years in, Florida Network of Youth and Family Services makes the business case for prevention
The Florida Network of Youth and Family Services celebrated its 50th anniversary at its annual meeting in Sarasota last week, and it came with a balance sheet: 14,333 youth and families served in 2025, and an estimated $9.19 returned to the state for every $1 it spends on prevention.
Former Governor Bob Martinez and former First Lady Mary Jane Martinez were recognized for their longstanding commitment to Florida’s youth and families.
“When Bob was elected, I thought I would do what I could for the young people in the state of Florida, and it’s been an honor and a great privilege for me.”
Former First Lady Mary Jane Martinez
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