The Rev. Tom Atchison sees long-term drug and alcohol addiction treatment as "hard moments and good times." ...more

November 11, 2009

Roberta Skinner likes seeing people overcome limitations. She volunteers are Quantum Leap Farms in Odessa, where she helps children with autism, disabled adults and returning veterans with brain injuries through therapeutic horseback riding and equestrian activities. She also serves as vice president of the board of directors for the 9-year-old nonprofit organization. ...more

November 11, 2009

Roberta Skinner likes seeing people overcome limitations. She volunteers are Quantum Leap Farms in Odessa, where she helps children with autism, disabled adults and returning veterans with brain injuries through therapeutic horseback riding and equestrian activities. She also serves as vice president of the board of directors for the 9-year-old nonprofit organization. ...more

November 11, 2009

Over the objections of prosecutors, a judge agreed Friday that some of Jasmine Bedwell's past can be brought up in the trial of her former boyfriend, charged with killing her 3-month-old son and throwing the infant out of a moving car. ...more

October 24, 2009

Over the objections of prosecutors, a judge agreed Friday that some of Jasmine Bedwell's past can be brought up in the trial of her former boyfriend, Richard McTear, who's charged with killing her 3-month-old son and throwing the infant out of a moving car. But, Hillsborough County Circuit Court Judge Gregory Holder said it's very early in this case and his ruling could change. ...more

October 23, 2009

The 5th Judicial Circuit Court Guardian ad Litem Program will offer free training for anyone who is interested in becoming a Guardian ad Litem volunteer. The professional staff of the program recruits, trains and supervises individuals who are then court-appointed to advocate for the best interests of children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected and are now in the Foster Care System. Through this program, local foster children are able to have their voices heard in the dependency court process. ...more

August 8, 2009

Frank Martin Gill of North Miami is gay and a foster parent. Gill and his partner want to adopt half brothers they've parented since 2004, but Florida law prohibits it. So the couple and the boys, ages 4 and 8, remain in legal limbo, waiting for a court or the Legislature to make them one family legally. ...more

March 18, 2009

Gloria is huddled against a wall at Kennedy Boulevard and Franklin Street on a postcard-perfect Thursday night, gazing up at a building where city lights cast dazzling images of birds of paradise against a stone wall. ...more

March 14, 2009

About four years ago, Larry and Mary Carmody became foster parents to a 2-year-old girl. She still lives in the area, so let's call her K. ...more

January 16, 2009

The Tri-County area of Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties has the second highest rate of child abuse in Florida. Many of these children who are abused by their parents enter the foster care system. One such child is Jennifer, who came to Children's Home Society's Hansen House at 17 after being in 27 different placements. ...more

November 9, 2008