Thank You One More Child Open Doors Team Members!
As One More Child is exiting the Open Doors Outreach Network at the end of the month, we’d like to extend a big thank you to all of the Open Doors Team Members in the Central and Southwest Florida! You all made a huge impact on the lives of sex trafficked survivors within the Network. We look forward to our continued collaboration as One More Child continues their Anti-Trafficking services.
Best of Luck Aquill!
It is with both joy and sadness that we announce that Aquill Triplett, Open Doors Program Coordinator, will be transitioning out of her role with us and beginning a new position at the end of the month. Aquill started her work at Voices for Florida in May 2017 during her field placement as a Master’s of Social Work student. Upon graduation that August, she was offered a full time position to support the Open Doors Outreach Network.
Aquill has played an incredibly important role in the development of the Open Doors Outreach Network. She helped lay a strong foundation for our Network and continued to support monthly reporting, grant management, accounting, training and education, and more. We will sincerely miss Aquill, but wish her the best of luck in her next steps!
Reminder: Register for the Open Doors Regional Advocate Cohort Training
The annual Regional Advocate Cohort Training will take place Tuesday October 26th and Wednesday October 27th at the Voices for Florida headquarters located at 111 S. Magnolia Drive Suite 4, Tallahassee, FL 32301. This is a mandatory training for all Regional Advocates serving in the Open Doors Outreach Network.
For Regional Advocates who will be visiting from outside of town, Voices for Florida is providing 2 nights of hotel accommodation at the Home2Suites Tallahassee, checking in on Monday October 25th and checking out on Wednesday October 27th.
Additionally, Voices for Florida is providing reimbursement for one rental car and fuel per region, as well as meals according to the State of Florida rate. All reimbursements must include a receipt. Food reimbursement rates are as follows – breakfast: $6.00, lunch: $11.00 and dinner: $19.00 for a maximum daily amount of $36.00.
Hotel reservations must be made by participants by clicking here and included in the expense reports for reimbursement. Alternatively, you can call to make a reservation and ask for the Voices for Florida group rate. The deadline to book your hotel reservation is Wednesday, October 6th.
Car rental reservations must be made by participants and included in the expense reports for reimbursement. Only one rental car/fuel for in-person trainings per region will be eligible for reimbursement. The OAG has indicated that car rental reimbursement rates are limited to the State of Florida car rental contract as follows: Full Size – $29.50 per day (requires more than one traveler). Compact – $25.55 (for one traveler). The OAG will not reimburse above these rates. Please note that Voices for Florida will not reimburse for mileage for participants – only rental fees and fuel costs will be covered. Receipts are necessary for all reimbursements.
New Open Doors Team Member Spotlights
Meet Sarah Farmer
Sarah Farmer is the new Open Doors Clinician in the Big Bend Region. You can reach her at sarah@wholechildleon.org. Please join us in welcoming her to the Network!
Do you have any hidden talents/fun facts about you?
I am a HUGE fan of DIY and crafting. I currently make stained glass windows, make my own t-shirts, make mosaics, hand built pottery, homemade soaps, lotions and candles, paper crafts, painting and repurpose old furniture. I am actually an identical twin as well. And my twin crochets, embroiders, sews, and makes tumblers. Together we are a full service craft machine.
What is one achievement you’re proud of?
I am the proud mother of three beautiful children. I adopted all three of my kids from the foster care system and they are all special needs. Being their mom is both the most challenging and most rewarding experience of my life. They are what I am the most proud of in this world.
What drew you to serving sex trafficked children and young adults?
I KNOW the program makes a difference. I am a survivor of domestic and sexual violence. I almost lost my life to violence at the age of 19 and without my team of social service providers, I wouldn’t have been able to live through it, let alone thrive through it. I went back to school to become a social worker after my experience and I want to be a beacon of hope and change like my team was for me.
Meet Charlie Jackson
Charlie Jackson is the new Open Doors Regional Advocate in the Big Bend Region. You can reach her at charlie@wholechildleon.org. Please join us in welcoming her to the Network!
Do you have any hidden talents/fun facts about you?
I am a skilled journalist with more than six years’ experience producing short documentaries, television news programs, and social advocacy campaigns. I directed/produced French Town Rising (2019), a short documentary that explores the effects of gentrification in Florida’s oldest black community.
What is one achievement you’re proud of?
Serving as a foster parent! In 2005, I became the full-time caregiver of a child with emotional and behavioral issues. I raised her for the next five years and this experience changed the trajectory of my life. It prompted my career transition from television news into social services and led me to become a fierce advocate for children who’ve experienced trauma.
What drew you to serving sex trafficked children and young adults?
I am passionate about giving voice to the voiceless and this position will allow me to serve as an advocate for members of our most vulnerable population.
Upcoming Webinars
Perspectives: Sex Trafficking Vulnerabilities of Individuals Aging Out of Foster Care (Voices for Florida)
Wednesday, September 29, 12:00-1:30pm ET
Moderated by Lauren Herod, MSW, MPA of Voices for Florida, this webinar will bring together experts and service providers as they discuss the unique support systems individuals aging out of foster care could benefit from to help prevent them from falling victim to sex trafficking. Speakers include Chanel Dionne of Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, Christy Gillis of DCF, Christine M. Frederick, MSW of FLITE Center, and Kayla O’Neal, MSW of Tallahassee Community College Fostering Achievement Fellowship Program.
Faith Community & Human Trafficking Workshop (Gateway to Fr33dom Human Trafficking Taskforce)
Thursday, September 30, 10:00am-12:00pm ET
Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. P. “Doc” Nave with Bikers Against Trafficking
Human Trafficking: Myths and Realities in the Big Bend (United Partners for Human Services)
Thursday, October 14, 10am–11:30am EDT
Join us for a multi-media program geared to develop an understanding of human trafficking dynamics. This training will teach non-profit service providers, businesses, healthcare professionals, faith communities, counselors, and anyone who may encounter a survivor or victim of sex or labor trafficking to be confident in responding safely and effectively. Featured speakers include Robin Hassler Thompson (STAC), Cecka Rose Green (Children’s Home Society), Courtney Atkins (Whole Child Leon), and Taylor Biro (Capital Tea).
