Florida’s Children First was created by attorneys from across Florida, including Wayne Hogan, as an independent statewide 501(c) 3 nonprofit child advocacy group for Florida’s foster and at-risk children. It is a “watchdog” over child welfare organizations that serve children.

“It’s about moving things along with a sense of urgency for some of our most vulnerable,” said Wayne, who also serves on the board. “That’s why I joined, and I’ve been pleased with the level of active work Florida’s Children First has had for children.”

Recently, a reception was held in Jacksonville which honored former Fourth Circuit Judge Dorothy Pate, the circuit’s first female judge, who helped found the Northeast Florida Guardian Ad Litem program and The Family Nurturing Center of Florida; Dr. Michael Solloway; foster graduates Justin Taylor, Lakateria Burks and Lateria Whitted; and Jacksonville University’s “1,000 Small Smiles Across Jacksonville” orthodontics program, which provides orthodontic care to area foster children.

At the reception, Wayne introduced George Sheldon, secretary of Florida’s Department of Children and Families.