Pinellas Juvenile Welfare Board Marks 80 Years

The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County reached its 80th anniversary this month. The organization held an 80th Anniversary KidsFirst Awards Luncheon in St. Petersburg to mark the occasion. Approximately 600 community leaders, elected officials, and supporters attended the event.

Karen Boggess, the interim CEO of the Juvenile Welfare Board, addressed the crowd to reflect on the agency’s history. She noted that the board’s founding decision was that children deserve the opportunity to thrive. Boggess stated that investing in young people’s futures benefits the entire community.

The board presented the Dillinger-McCabe Putting Children First Leadership Award to Keli Mondello. Mondello has worked with lawmakers to improve early literacy and close achievement gaps. She also served as a Guardian ad Litem for abused and neglected children. Additionally, she co-founded LiFT, a Clearwater school for individuals with neurodiversity.

Mondello accepted the award and described it as the pinnacle of her professional life. She said she feels a responsibility to be the voice for children who do not choose their parents, genetics, or circumstances. The award honors the legacies of Bob Dillinger and Bernie McCabe. Both men served 20 years on the Juvenile Welfare Board’s board of directors.

Denise McCabe, Bernie McCabe’s widow, praised Mondello’s vision for neurodivergent children. Kay Dillinger said her husband reviewed the nominations for the award shortly before his death. She stated that Bob Dillinger was inspired by Mondello’s commitment to ensuring all children thrive.

The Juvenile Welfare Board also posthumously presented the Dillinger-McCabe award to the late Jack Latvala. The former state senator championed legislation that added the state attorney and public defender to the board’s roster. Chris Latvala, Jack’s son, accepted the honor on his father’s behalf.

Four individuals received the 2026 KidsFirst Cooperman-Bogue Award. Each recipient received $1,000 for their service to the community. Gena Calish, an in-home specialist, works with families to strengthen parenting skills. Melissa Mapes has taught at Gingerbread Preschool for 29 years. Christine Powell, a foster grandparent, helps kindergarteners at Maximo Elementary with literacy. Deputy Anthony Borbonio of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office builds trust in the High Point community. Teenagers Tatiana Mansfield and Savannah Starcher also received H. Browning Spence Education Scholarships.