Current News
August 13, 2025: CCKids Sees First Net Increase in Foster Homes in Seven Years
Communities Connected for Kids released this month its annual State of Our Children report, highlighting the broad successes and challenges of the local child-welfare community. This year's report shows gains in >
August 13, 2025: CCKids Outreach Transitions with a Goodbye and a Hello to the Community
After 25 years of calling CCKids my professional home and the community my extended family, it’s time for me to step into a new chapter. It’s a bittersweet farewell, because this work—and all of you—have shaped my life in ways >
July 16, 2025: Foster Homes See First Net Increase in Seven Years
Communities Connected for Kids is proud to announce a significant milestone in the local foster care system: For the first time in seven years, there is a >
July 16, 2025: Backpacks, Pencils & Big Hearts: Join the Back to School Drive - We're Halfway There!
There’s still time to make a difference in a child’s life this school year! Our Online Back to School Drive runs through Sunday, July 21, and we’re working hard to collect >
July 16, 2025: CCKids Funding Secured for Another Year
CCKids’ state funding requests have made it through the governor’s veto process, ensuring we can continue providing critical services to children and families in our community. Among the victories is a second year of funding for >
July 16, 2025: Inside the Mission - Celebrating Independence
All month long on social media, we’re shining a light on the Independent Living program — the vital support system that helps teens and young adults transition from foster care to adulthood. Each week, we’re exploring key topics like >
June 11, 2025: Steps Toward Change: CCKids' 1K Draws Crowd and Fosters New Hope
More than 100 community members turned out for the 2025 CCKids 1K for Kids & Story Stroll on May 17, held for the first time at >
June 11, 2025: Backpacks, Pencils & Big Hearts: Join the Back-to-School Bash for Kids in Foster Care
Ready, set… shop! Communities Connected for Kids is kicking off summer with a pencil-sharp mission: making sure every child in foster care heads back to school with the tools they need to >
June 11, 2025: #25in2025 Recruitment Campaign Nears Goal with One Home to Go
A bold campaign to recruit 25 new foster homes is on the brink of success, thanks to a surge in community >
May 15, 2025: Local Caregivers Honored for their Dedication to Children in Care
Communities Connected for Kids is proud to recognize the Payne Family as one of two foster homes who recently received the Topaz GEM – Going the Extra Mile – Award, which honors foster parents who demonstrate >
April 9, 2025: CCKids Celebrates its Volunteers; a Special Breakfast also launches 2025 Manicure Movement
Communities Connected for Kids celebrated more than 30 volunteers Friday, April 4, during the non-profit organization's annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. The event recognized CCKids' volunteers of the year and served as a launch for the organization's annual >
April 9, 2025: Inside the Mission: Youth Advocates Head to Capital for Children's Week
Last month, during Children's Week at the Capital, our amazing youth advocates met with legislators to advocate for housing stability for youth aging out of care and for the importance of >
April 9, 2025: Community Reaches Adoption Goal Early
Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast – the four counties covered by Communities Connected for Kids’ child welfare system – reached its 2025 adoption goal in February with >
February 6, 2025: Recruitment Campaign Rolls into New Year with 12 Months of Activity
CCKids is rolling out another year of outreach and education with its #25in2025 campaign - an extension of last year's campaign to add 25 new foster homes to Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast. "This is an ongoing, yearly, campaign to raise and maintain awareness for >
January 22, 2025: Finding Affordable Housing is Tough; CCKids Tries to Make it Easier
The housing market is tough for everyone, but it’s especially difficult for young people just trying to get a start in the world – especially for those leaving the foster care system. That’s why Communities Connected for Kids, the organization that oversees the child-welfare community in Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast, created the position of >
January 22, 2025: Inside the Mission: Antonia Rocks a Masters
As a young person who spent much of her childhood in foster care, Antonia Fede received federal funding that would help her make a successful transition into independence while also navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. She budgeted carefully and used what she needed. And with the rest, she purchased >
January 22, 2025: Recruitment Campaign Greets New Year with Twist
Communities Connected for Kids ended 2024 a few families short of its 25by2025 goal to recruit 25 new foster homes by January. In total, >
January 9, 2025: Community, CCKids Staff Make Christmas Bright in 2024
This year's holiday season saw a marked increase in participation and impact thanks to a returning army of community sponsors, a healthy increase in new recruits and added efficiencies. Combined, they added up to a first-ever >
January 9, 2025: Guardians Ensure a Bright Future for CCKids Toy Drive
Partnership and community are the hallmarks of CCKids' Making Christmas Bright gift collection. One partner in particular - the Guardians for New Futures - is responsible for a significant increase in >
January 9, 2025: Foster Care Recruitment Doesn't Stall During Busy Holiday Season
A busy holiday season is the perfect time to ramp up foster-care recruitment efforts - and that's exactly what CCKids did in the last quarter of 2024. From local parades to community light shows, Communities Connected for Kids staff were >
