Daniel Webster Leadership Award

This annual award recognizes individuals for their outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. It is named in honor of Congressman Daniel Webster who, as Florida Speaker of the House in 1998, worked tirelessly to pass the legislation that created Healthy Families Florida, an evidence-based child abuse prevention program.

I am tremendously proud to have been a part of bringing Healthy Families to our state. I am honored to have my name attached to the award given annually to recognize individuals who have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to sustaining, enhancing and growing Healthy Families Florida Congressman Daniel Webster

October 25, 2024

TALLAHASSEE – Congressman Daniel Webster and Healthy Families Florida announced Senator Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart) as the recipient of the 2024 Daniel Webster Leadership Award at the annual Leadership Meeting in September. This award is presented every year to recognize individuals for their outstanding leadership and strong commitment to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Healthy Families Florida is a nationally accredited, evidence-based, voluntary home visiting program proven to prevent child abuse and neglect by building on family strengths to promote healthy child development and family self-sufficiency. In partnership with the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, the Healthy Families Florida program has helped thousands of children by empowering parents with education and community support.

The award is named in honor of Congressman Webster who, as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives in 1998, led the legislative creation of Healthy Families Florida.

Senator Harrell represents Florida Senate District 31, which includes Martin County and parts of St. Lucie and Palm Beach Counties.

“Senator Harrell is a long-time friend of the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida and Healthy Families, as she helped to implement the program in Martin County when we first launched it in 1998,” Congressman Webster said. “Over the past 24 years, while serving in the Florida House and later the Senate, Senator Harrell has been instrumental in framing legislation to improve services for children and families. Knowing how important it is to meet families where they are, Senator Harrell has always seen the importance of home visiting.”

“The safest way for babies to sleep is to be alone, on their backs and in a crib that is free from pillows, blankets or any other items that could be harmful,” said Chesley Richardson, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Florida, part of the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida. “By following the ABCs of Safe Sleep for every sleep, you can sleep better knowing that your baby is sleeping safer.”

Last year as Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, Senator Harrell used her platform to host an overview of home visiting in Florida to showcase the variety of evidence-based, locally grown, and unique-to-Florida home visiting programs.

This demonstrated how effective Healthy Families Florida is at strengthening families and helped secure the $2 million in recurring funding that was needed to stabilize salaries for hard-working Healthy Families home visitors.

The ceremony began with a special video from Congressman Webster announcing Senator Harrell as the 2024 award recipient.

Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida President and CEO Jennifer Ohlsen and Healthy Families Florida Executive Director Rebekkah Sheetz then presented Senator Harrell with the award.

“Senator Harrell’s focus on developing prevention policy and delivering quality prevention services to children and families throughout our diverse state has been a hallmark of her legislative career,” Ohlsen said. “Her passionate leadership has been an inspiration to her legislative colleagues, provider agencies, the business community, and all of us at the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida and Healthy Families Florida.”

“Senator Harrell shows us time and time again that she is deeply committed to serving the children and families of Florida,” Sheetz said. “She is a trailblazer in her own community and across the state. She brought Healthy Families to Martin County over two decades ago, and each day she brings her signature, detail-oriented approach to every aspect of her involvement and leadership in supporting effective programs like ours.”

Senator Harrell accepted the Webster Leadership Award and expressed her appreciation for the many dedicated Floridians working in the child welfare field.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” Senator Gayle Harrell said. “Families create the future. That is what we are about. That is what the Legislature is about.”.

Since 2009, Daniel Webster Leadership Award winners have included legislators, policy makers, law enforcement officials, and community leaders who have demonstrated a passion for and commitment to effective abuse and neglect prevention. Previous award winners include Department of Children & Families Secretary Shevaun Harris, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean, and Florida Senators Doug Broxson and Jason Brodeur.