"It's Time for Someone Else to Step In and Take the Helm": Children's Forum President and CEO Set to Retire
After 22 years as President and CEO of the Children’s Forum, Dr. Phyllis Kalifeh has announced her plans to retire on August 1, 2022.
 
Dr. Kalifeh has worked tirelessly to advocate for the early learning workforce, expand professional development opportunities and bring awareness to the poor compensation for those working with our youngest citizens. She has made it her life’s mission to make sure young children have quality early learning experiences to prepare them for success in school and in lifeRead More
Come Work with Us!
Are you looking for a great place to work? The Forum is dedicated to building and supporting systems that promote positive experiences and outcomes for both young children and educators working in the early childhood field.

We are currently accepting applications for a variety of positions. Check out our current job opportunities at flchild.com/jobs.
From Substitute Teacher to Business Owner:
A Family Child Care Home Provider Shares Her Story
Arleen Lambert never thought that she would one day operate a family child care home (FCCH). What began as a favor for a friend who needed a substitute teacher turned into a life changing experience. She loved working with children in a home-centered environment and decided to open a FCCH program of her own.

Arleen, who is a native of Trinidad, explained: “At first it was difficult, but I refused to quit. Operating an FCCH is owning your own business and you need to find a work-life balance. As a woman, a single parent, and a person of color, it was empowering to know that I was an entrepreneur.” Read More

Florida Afterschool Network Announces New Executive Director
The Florida Afterschool Network (FAN), the newest program of the Children's Forum, is excited to announce that Liliana "Lili" Murphy has been named its new Executive Director. Lili previously served as the statewide assistant director for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program at the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). In this capacity, she will be working with afterschool programs and stakeholders, and administering grant resources. 

Prior to her position with the FLDOE, Lili was Assistant Director of the Help Me Grow® Florida program at the Children’s Forum. She also serves as the Board President for the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Foundation Second Circuit and is a GAL for two children. 

Liliana graduated from Florida State University and is bilingual. She succeeded interim director, Larry Pintacuda.
Children's Week Florida 2022 a Success!
We hope you were able to join us in celebrating children, youth, and advocates at the 27th annual Children’s Week! The Children's Forum, who is the organizing partner for Children's Week, was excited to host the 2022 event in-person at the Florida Capitol!

In case you missed it, Children's Week featured the following events:

  • Celebration of the Hands: Custom children's hand artwork that was displayed in the Capitol Rotunda to remind legislators that the future of our children rest in their hands.
  • Advocacy Dinner & Awards Ceremony: Congratulations to Doug Sessions who was this year's Chiles Advocacy Award winner and Lauren Page, who received the Youth Advocate Award.
  • Children's Day: Included educational exhibits and activities with our partners, celebrity readers and books brought to life in Storybook Village, engaging youth entertainment, a press conference, and fun for everyone.
  • No Small Matter: Inspiring virtual documentary that explored early childhood education, the most overlooked, underestimated, and powerful force in America today.

Check out the Children's Week 2022 video below! You can also click here to view a photo gallery of this year's events.
Children's Week would not have been possible without the generous support of our partners. Together, we delivered the message that every child should be healthy, ready to learn, and able to achieve their full potential.

We hope to see you at Children's Week 2023! Stay tuned and visit childrensweek.org for details!