Children's Services Council completes its board with appointment of Allie Richards
Allie Richards, aide to District 2 Leon County Commissioner Christian Caban, is Gov. Ron DeSantis' latest appointment to the Children's Services Council of Leon County, bringing the council to its 10-member capacity.
"I look forward to collaborating with the other council members and the community leaders," Richards told the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am very excited." The announcement was made Friday with a press release from the governor's office.
Paul Mitchell, the board's treasurer, and Mark O'Bryant, CEO of Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, also were reappointed.
"We are now complete and will build upon the good work we have started toward moving outputs to outcomes for the benefit of our children, youth and families residing in Leon County," CSC Executive Director Cecka Rose Green told the Tallahassee Democrat.
Richards previously worked as an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher, classroom behavior specialist, and paraprofessional within the Leon County School District, following in the footsteps of her father, Jimbo Jackson.
More: 'Losing a piece of us': Hundreds attend memorial for educator and County Commissioner Jimbo Jackson
Jackson was a well-respected educator and administrator at Fort Braden K-8 school for 14 years and he served as county commissioner in the same seat Caban currently occupies. He died in May 2022 from complications with COVID, about seven months before his daughter was hired by Caban.
"I saw firsthand the impact that support systems, community programs and advocacy can have on a child's future," Richards said, also noting her father was on the commission that worked to establish the Children's Services Council.
The CSC will officially open its second Family Resource Center on April 12. The one stop shop for families to receive resources and support will be in the Fort Braden Community Center which is just up Richards' alley.
"This role is an opportunity to take my experience for education and working in local government to make a real difference and I'm committed to being a strong voice for the needs of our children and families," Richards said.
The next CSC governing council meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 5.
Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Gov. DeSantis fills final seat on Leon Children's Services Council
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