FLORIDAS CHILDREN FIRST INC

Financials

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

333 CAMINO GARDENS BLVD, BOCA RATON, FL 33432-5824

Principal officer (990 for 2025)

HOWARD TALENFELD, 10360 WEST STATE ROAD 84, DAVIE, FL 33324

Signed the 990

GERALD REISS, TREASURER

Phone

(954) 796-0860

Website

FLORIDASCHILDRENFIRST.ORG

Return prepared by

SULLIVAN & FENGLER

Mission

ORGANIZATION MISSION: FLORIDA'S CHILDREN FIRST IS A NON-PROFIT, NONPARTISAN, INDEPENDENT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO PROTECTING AND ADVANCING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH IMPACTED BY THE CHILD WELFARE, JUVENILE JUSTICE, AND DISABILITY SYSTEMS THROUGH SYSTEMIC REFORM, EDUCATION, YOUTH VOICE, AND PROMOTING HIGH-QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION. ORGANIZATION VISION: OUR VISION IS THAT FLORIDA'S LAWS, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES RESPECT, PRIORITIZE, AND PROTECT CHILDREN AND YOUTH IMPACTED BY THE CHILD WELFARE, JUVENILE JUSTICE, AND DISABILITY SYSTEMS. ABOUT US: BY BEING INFORMED BY THE YOUTH WE SERVE AND PROVIDING A PLATFORM FOR THEIR INPUT AND LIFE EXPERIENCES TO BE VALUED, WE HAVE ACHIEVED POSITIVE, LONG- LASTING CHANGES IN FLORIDA'S CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM THAT PROTECT AND UPLIFT OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN. WE ARE CHANGE AGENTS. WE ARE WATCHDOGS. WE FILL A CRITICAL GAP IN THE STATEWIDE CHILD-SERVING SYSTEM BY TIRELESSLY WORKING TO DISMANTLE BARRIERS, RAISE AWARENESS, AND ENSURE THAT E

Program accomplishments

• IMPROVING GENERAL CHILD WELFARE HOW WE IMPROVE OUTCOMES: WE ACHIEVE SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE THROUGH EXECUTIVE BRANCH ADVOCACY BY WORKING WITH AGENCIES WHEN THEY WRITE THEIR POLICIES, PROCEDURES, OR RULES. WE IMPROVE SYSTEMS BY MAKING THE GENERAL PUBLIC AWARE OF PROBLEMS TO MOBILIZE THEIR HELP AND SUPPORT IN MAKING IMPROVEMENTS. WE ACHIEVE CHANGE BY TRAINING PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE STATE ON NEW PROCEDURES OR LAW - OR EDUCATING THEM ON CRITICAL ISSUES SO THEY ARE AWARE OF THE NEED FOR CHANGE. WE ALSO EDUCATE BY WRITING MATERIALS, BROCHURES, AND PAMPHLETS THAT PROVIDE INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TOPICS IN CHILD WELFARE, DELINQUENCY, AND DISABILITIES. WE NOW HAVE MORE THAN 3 DOZEN PUBLICATIONS TO OUR CREDIT. ADVOCACY INITIATIVES ADVOCACY DRIVES OUR ACTIVITIES AT ALL LEVELS. ON A LEGISLATIVE LEVEL, WE PROPOSE, DRAFT, AND COMMENT ON NEW LEGISLATION, PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENTATION ON THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF PROPOSED BILLS ON THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND CARE PROVIDERS WE FILE AMICUS BRIEFS TO ASSERT CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND AID IN THE APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEYS FOR THEM. WE SERVE AS ADVISORS TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, OFFERING INSIGHTS ON NEW RULES, AND PARTICIPATE ON TASK FORCES, PANELS, AND FORUMS THAT SHAPE POLICY. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS EVERY YEAR, WE OFFER A NEW SERIES OF FREE TRAINING WORKSHOPS THAT KEEP THOSE WHO INTERACT WITH, OR CARE FOR, YOUTH INFORMED ON CURRENT ISSUES AND CHANGES IN BENEFITS, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES. PUBLICATIONS WE PRODUCE, UPDATE, AND DISTRIBUTE FREE FACT SHEETS, GUIDEBOOKS, AND INFORMATIONAL TOOLS ON CRITICAL ISSUES INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND YOUTH ALIKE NEED. PUBLICATIONS ARE ALSO WRITTEN AND DESIGNED TO BE YOUTH-FRIENDLY SO YOUTH CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CONTENT AND ACCESS BENEFITS AND SERVICES. HIGH-QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION WE PROVIDE INDEPENDENT, PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE, BRIEF ADVICE, AND QUALITY REPRESENTATION TO ENSURE MORE YOUTH RECEIVE THE REPRESENTATION THEY NEED AND DESERVE AND TO BE SURE THEY HAVE A VOICE IN THE PROCEEDINGS THAT SHAPE THEIR LIVES. FCF IMPACTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: ALL OF OUR WORK HAS MADE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN IN FLORIDA. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THESE CHANGES CONTINUE TO HAVE A RIPPLE EFFECT THAT IMPACTS MORE AND MORE YOUTH EACH YEAR AND EDUCATES THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONALS AND COUNTLESS CITIZENS ABOUT ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS FOR CHILDREN IN CARE. BY FILLING A CRITICAL VOID IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM, OUR WORK EACH YEAR BENEFITS CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY IN WAYS THAT ARE SUBSTANTIAL AND LIFE-CHANGING FOR THOUSANDS. BY IMPACTING LAWS & POLICIES WE HAVE: "SECURED THE OPTION FOR YOUTH TO REMAIN IN FOSTER CARE UNTIL AGE 21. "PAVED THE WAY FOR FREE IN-STATE COLLEGE TUITION UNTIL AGE 28 FOR YOUTH FROM FOSTER CARE, RELATIVE CARE, OR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. "MADE OBTAINING A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND INSURANCE POSSIBLE FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE. "ENHANCED YOUTH REPRESENTATION IN COURT DECISIONS. "REMOVED BARRIERS TO NORMALCY, ALLOWING PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES LIKE SPORTS AND SLEEPOVERS - BECOMING A NATIONAL MODEL. "SPEARHEADED LAWS TO SUPPORT SIBLING UNITY. "REDUCED OVERMEDICATION AND UNNECESSARY PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG PRESCRIPTIONS. "FOUGHT FOR RIGHTS OF SEX-TRAFFICKED CHILDREN, ENSURING THEY RECEIVE APPROPRIATE SERVICES. "ENSURED YOUTH ARE EDUCATED ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS, LAWS AND RESOURCES IN PLACE TO PROTECT THEM. "SECURED CRITICAL HOUSING RESOURCES FOR FOSTER YOUTH. ADDITIONALLY, "38,335 + PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EDUCATED AND TRAINED ON IMPORTANT CHILD WELFARE TOPICS "60 PUBLICATIONS CREATED ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND VITAL ISSUES IMPACTING THEM "40 AMICUS BRIEFS FILED "52 CHILD PROTECTION BILLS PASSED, DRAFTED, OR SUPPORTED "110,547 + HOURS OF YOUTH ADVOCACY, TRAINING, EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT PROVIDED "8,482,732 ,732 IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DONATED TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND "18,982 PRO BONO HOURS HELPING CHILDREN BY FILLING A CRITICAL VOID IN THE CHILD WELFARE ARENA, EACH YEAR OUR WORK BENEFITS CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY IN WAYS THAT ARE SUBSTANTIAL AND LIFE-CHANGING FOR THOUSANDS.
  Expenses $976,445
• IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR OLDER YOUTH THROUGH EDUCATION: FCF EDUCATES CHILDREN AND YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS, THE PROCESSES THAT THEY ARE FACING, AND THEIR SUPPORT NETWORK. THROUGH CREATING YOUTH-FRIENDLY PUBLICATIONS AND TRAINING WORKSHOPS WE EQUIP THEM WITH THE KNOWLEDGE TO SELF-ADVOCATE TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES. IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR OLDER YOUTH BY EMPOWERING YOUTH: FLORIDA YOUTH SHINE THE AWARD-WINNING FLORIDA YOUTH SHINE PROGRAM OFFERS EMPOWERMENT, LEADERSHIP, MENTORSHIP, AND ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUNG INDIVIDUALS AGED 13-26 IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM AND THAT EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS. THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING, ENGAGEMENT WITH POSITIVE MENTOR ROLE MODELS, A CURRICULUM CRAFTED TO ADDRESS THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS, AND ONE- OF-A-KIND OPPORTUNITIES, YOUTH CONQUER CHALLENGES, GAIN CONFIDENCE, AND EMERGE AS GOAL-ORIENTED, ACCOMPLISHED YOUNG ADULTS. EMBOLDENED BY THEIR FYS EXPERIENCES, THESE YOUNG CHANGE-MAKERS DRIVE POSITIVE CHANGE AND ENHANCE THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM BY ELEVATING AND AMPLIFYING THEIR VOICES AND LEADING THEIR PEERS IN CARE. THEY ALSO ATTAIN VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS IN THE PROCESS THAT HELP THEM TRANSITION MORE SUCCESSFULLY TO ADULT LIFE. FLORIDA YOUTH SHINE (FYS), IS A YOUTH RUN, PEER DRIVEN YOUTH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ADVOCACY BY ELEVATING AND VALUING THE VOICES, EXPERIENCES, AND KNOWLEDGE OF YOUTH WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. BY BUILDING A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY, EMPOWERING FELLOW YOUTH, DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AND INSPIRING RESILIENCE, FYS MEMBERS ADVOCATE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR THEIR PEERS. THROUGH FYS, WE PROVIDE INVALUABLE LEADERSHIP AND CAREER SKILLS AND A SUPPORT NETWORK FOR YOUTH TO THRIVE. FYS ALSO PROVIDES A SAFE AND NURTURING SPACE FOR EMOTIONAL HEALING AND UTILIZES A GROUNDBREAKING PEER-TO-PEER MODEL. MEMBERS ARE EDUCATED ABOUT THE SYSTEM AND THEIR RIGHTS, THEN TRAINED ON HOW TO AMPLIFY THEIR VOICE TO SELF-ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES. THIS INNOVATIVE YOUTH-LED MODEL HAS HAD TANGIBLE RESULTS AND IMPROVED OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH AS THEY TRANSITION INTO ADULTHOOD. IMPROVING THE GENERAL CHILD WELFARE AND OUTCOMES FOR OLDER YOUTH THROUGH LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY: FCF ACHIEVES SUCCESS IN SECURING MAJOR POLICY AND PRACTICE SYSTEMIC CHANGE BY EDUCATING THE STATE LEGISLATURE ON THE CHALLENGES THESE CHILDREN FACE ON A DAILY BASIS, AND HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEMS OF CARE AND THE DIFFICULTY MANEUVERING THROUGH THOSE SYSTEMS - ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN. PROVIDING & FACILITATING HIGH QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH. FCF'S TEAM OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS ATTORNEYS REPRESENT CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND YOUNG ADULTS WHO ARE OR WERE INVOLVED IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM, OR WHO ARE HOMELESS. REPRESENTATION SPANS LEGAL FORUMS FROM DEPENDENCY COURT, TO CIVIL LITIGATION, ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS, AND GENERAL ADVICE AND COUNSEL. ADDITIONALLY, OUR LAWYERS FACILITATE THE LEGAL REPRESENTATION PROVIDED TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH BY OUR COLLEAGUES AT LEGAL AID PROGRAMS AND IN PRIVATE PRACTICE. WE FACILITATE BY PROVIDING TRAINING, TECHNICAL SUPPORT, MENTORING, PRO BONO MATCHING AND OFFERING PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES INCLUDING THE FLORIDA DEPENDENCY LAW CENTER.
  Expenses $595,076

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

52-2372998

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization

Foundation status

Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))

Donations deductible (Pub 78)

Public charity, 50% deduction limit

Exempt since

2003

Accounting year ends

December

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Human services (P30)

Assets (IRS master file)

$1,625,035

Income (IRS master file)

$2,078,457

Filing history

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 52-2372998).

Questions about FLORIDAS CHILDREN FIRST INC

What is the EIN of FLORIDAS CHILDREN FIRST INC?

The employer identification number (EIN) of FLORIDAS CHILDREN FIRST INC is 52-2372998.

Is FLORIDAS CHILDREN FIRST INC tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2003.

Are donations to FLORIDAS CHILDREN FIRST INC tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does FLORIDAS CHILDREN FIRST INC file?

Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.

When is the next return of FLORIDAS CHILDREN FIRST INC due?

The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did FLORIDAS CHILDREN FIRST INC last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.

Who is the principal officer of FLORIDAS CHILDREN FIRST INC?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names HOWARD TALENFELD.

Who are the officers and directors of FLORIDAS CHILDREN FIRST INC?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 28 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $125,538 (ROBIN ROSENBERG, DEPUTY DIREC).

How much revenue does FLORIDAS CHILDREN FIRST INC have?

On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $2,078,457, expenses of $1,825,104 and total assets of $1,625,035 at year end.

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