Member News

Children’s Advocacy Center shines a light on

Mental Health Awareness Month

Trauma therapy reduces mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 23, 2022) – Across the U.S., May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s about shining light on the stigma of getting help, providing resources, and encouraging mental health screenings; highlighting that mental health is just as important as physical health.

In our community, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida (CAC) provides therapeutic counseling through our Family Alliance Program to children who have experienced abuse or neglect, have witnessed or experienced family violence, or a violent crime. CAC advocates that healing can take place through practices like therapy; the mental health of a child who has experienced trauma does not have to be compromised.

Family Alliance is a clinical program that utilizes master’s level mental health professionals to offer services to children and their caregivers. The goal of the program is to reduce abuse-related symptoms, process through the trauma to heal, and return to the level of functioning before the abuse. Family Alliance also teaches prevention, coping, and safety skills to all clients. Every child is given a specialized care plan based on their needs utilizing forms of therapy that have been proven to successfully resolve a broad array of emotional and behavioral difficulties associated with trauma experiences.

“A child’s brain changes after experiencing the traumatic events of abuse. The brain structure and chemical functioning is impacted, making it difficult for children to regulate their emotions, behaviors, impulses, and making it difficult to make sound decisions,” says Kilondra Davis, LMHC, Family Alliance Program Supervisor. “This change is often displayed in a variety of symptoms that may lead to diagnosis of PTSD, Anxiety Disorders, and Depressive Disorders. All of these changes can affect their adulthood. With the help of therapy, the trauma, symptoms, and diagnoses can be treated and assist the child in healing.”

The tie between mental health and abuse happens as a ripple effect, starting with people, moving to family, then to the community, and ultimately to the world. The impact of child traumatic stress can last well beyond childhood. CAC works to stop this ripple effect.

For more information on the Children’s Advocacy Center or treatment options available,     please call 239-939-2808. If you would like to support mental health and the children in Southwest Florida, consider making a donation at cac-swfl.org and sign up for the CAC newsletter.

About Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida

Since 1981, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida, Inc. (CAC) has worked to improve the lives of children and their families through a coordinated response to child abuse and neglect, offering them a safe and friendly environment in which to heal. CAC provides abuse determination services as well as therapeutic counseling, parenting education, and prevention programs in Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Charlotte Counties. All services are provided free of charge. For more information, please call 239-939-2808 or visit cac-swfl.org. CAC is a United Way Partner Agency.

May 24, 2022

FWC statewide redfish workshops start next week
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is holding a series of public workshops to gather public input on proposed rules for redfish that include nine new management regions and modified recreational bag, vessel, and off-the-water transport limits. The FWC developed these proposed changes using a new management approach to better capture regional differences in the fishery. The public is encouraged to attend one of FWC’s in-person workshops that are being held throughout the state.

Below is a list of locations. Workshops will begin at 6 p.m. and conclude by 8 p.m. local time.

June 1, 6–8 p.m. EDT
Crystal River City Hall Council Chambers
123 NW U.S. Highway 19
Crystal River, FL 34428

June 2, 6–8 p.m. EDT
Steinhatchee Community Center
1013 Riverside Drive
Steinhatchee, FL 32359

June 6, 6–8 p.m. EDT
Charlotte County Administration Center Commissioner Chambers
18500 Murdock Circle, Room 119
Port Charlotte, FL 33948

June 7, 6–8 p.m. EDT
Brannon Center
105 S. Riverside Drive
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168

June 8, 6–8 p.m. EDT
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center
300 Tower Road
Naples, FL 34413

June 13, 6–8 p.m. CDT
Gulf Coast State College, Holley Language and Literature Building/Sarzin Lecture Hall
5230 W. U.S. Highway 98
Panama City, FL 32401

June 14, 6–8 p.m. EDT
Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Karen A. Steidinger Auditorium
100 Eighth Ave. SE.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

June 14, 6–8 p.m. EDT
St. Lucie County Commission Chambers, Roger Poitras Administration Annex
2300 Virginia Ave.
Ft. Pierce, FL 34982

June 15, 6–8 p.m. EDT
Lightner Museum, West Wing,
75 King Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084

June 15, 6–8 p.m. EDT
Wakulla County Community Center, Wakulla Room
318 Shadeville Road
Crawfordville, FL 32327

June 16, 6–8 p.m. EDT
Mudville Grille
3105 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville, Florida 32207

June 16, 6–8 p.m. EDT
Brevard County Commission Chambers, Building C
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Viera, FL 32940

If you are unable to attend a workshop, visit MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments and click on “Workshops” to watch a recorded presentation. Comments can be submitted at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street · Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 · (850) 488-4676

May 24, 2022

FWC: First pink-tagged bass caught! 9 more are swimming, worth big prizes!
On May 22, Florida angler, Dale Dew, caught the first pink-tagged bass of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch 10-Tag Celebration. Dew will receive a $5,000 gift card to Bass Pro Shops and $1,000 to shop at AFTCO. This catch also means he has a chance to win an additional $10,000, which will be awarded at a ceremony this fall.

FWC biologists tagged this specific largemouth bass in February on Lake Griffin. Dew caught the fish near the same spot it was tagged, using a plastic worm. He successfully submitted his catch according to TrophyCatch rules.

Dew is originally from Antiqua and he and his family now live in central Florida. While he was not originally going fishing for the pink tag, he saw a sign about the promotion that day.
“It was the first time we heard about it, and we were like, ‘Whoa what’s this? We aren’t going to catch it. We’re two guys who can’t fish!’” said Dale Dew, the first lucky angler to catch a pink-tagged largemouth bass. “We don’t have all the nice equipment or a nice bass boat but we got lucky and caught it! So, it could be any ordinary person who catches it. You never know, it’s crazy.”

Nine more pink-tagged bass are swimming in other waterbodies across the state: Newnans Lake; Lake George; Lake Talquin; Lake Walk-in-Water; Tenoroc Fish Management Area; Lake Trafford; Lake Istokpoga; Lake Rousseau; and Johns Lake. Anglers have until the end of September to fish for these special, prized fish.

To celebrate Season 10 of the TrophyCatch program, biologists with the FWC tagged and released 10 largemouth bass with bright pink tags in 10 different locations across the state. Anglers should check the TrophyCatch website for rules and updates.

The TrophyCatch program rewards anglers who provide documentation of their catch and release of largemouth bass weighing 8 pounds or heavier in Florida. To be eligible for prizes, anglers are required to submit photos or videos of their catch to TrophyCatch.com, showing the entire fish and its weight on a scale, before releasing it back into the water. Participants are also automatically entered in a free boat drawing just for registering. FWC biologists use TrophyCatch data for bass research to make informed decisions about the management of Florida bass fisheries and to promote the catch and release of trophy bass. The associated TrophyCare program promotes best handling practices for trophy bass to ensure that each TrophyCatch bass is released alive.

For the latest news about the TrophyCatch 10-TAG Celebration subscribe to the program’s topic email (select “TrophyCatch” under “Freshwater Fishing”). For more information about the TrophyCatch program or the 10-TAG Celebration, email KP Clements at Kp.Clements@MyFWC.com

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street · Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 · (850) 488-4676

Edison and Ford Winter Estates Open Memorial Day
The Garden Shoppe is stocked with new plants
FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 24, 2022) — Edison and Ford Winter Estates will be open regular hours on Memorial Day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Guided tours are offered throughout the day or visitors can use the app and map to take the self-guided tour and meander at their own pace. General admission offers visitors access to the 15,000-square-foot inventions museum, the botanic research laboratory (a National Historic Chemical Landmark), and 20 acres of botanical gardens with the historic winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.

The outdoor Garden Shoppe will also be open and is stocked with tropical flowering plants, fruit trees, herbs, vegetables, butterfly plants, and Florida natives. The space has recently been expanded to hold additional plant species and a new butterfly garden has been installed along Larchmont Avenue. Ceramic flower pots, water fountains, and wind chimes are also available. Knowledgeable garden staff will be on site to answer gardening questions.

The Museum Store offers unique gift items and souvenirs, including books, clothing, kitchenware, kid’s games and science kits, artwork from local artists, and garden art. There are also many Thomas Edison and Henry Ford signature souvenir items, such as replica light bulbs and model cars.

“The Museum Store offers a place for locals and visitors to shop for a Father’s Day gift that Dad doesn’t already have,” said Mike Flanders, President and CEO.

General admission (including the self-guided tour) for adults is $25, $20 for teens (13-19), $15 for children (6-12), and children five and under are admitted free. Guided tour tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for teens (13-19), and $18 for children (6-12). Memberships are available and include unlimited admission, discounts on educational programs and retail and Garden Shoppe purchases, plus reciprocal admissions throughout the country (depending on the membership level). Tickets and memberships can be purchased online at EdisonFord.org.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) High School Fishing Program congratulates Punta Gorda Middle School fishing team as the Grand Prize winners of the FWC’s High School Fishing Conservation Project Competition. The students completed five conservation projects including cleaning up multiple waterbodies in their local area and organizing a fishing clinic for their local elementary school.

All student anglers participating in the FWC’s 2021-22 High School Fishing Program were required to complete at least one conservation project to qualify for funding associated with the program. Prizing from FWC partners was offered for the conservation project winners as incentives for student anglers to complete multiple conservation initiatives throughout the year. FWC’s Conservation Project Competition awarded points per club participation in a variety of conservation-minded activities aimed to reduce the impacts of plastic pollution.

FWC’s High School Fishing program welcomed 24 new and 13 returning student angling clubs in Florida to the program in 2021, offering funding for clubs committed to complete the provided FWC curriculum, as well as pre- and post-tests, and at least one conservation project. Club mentors worked with their club to provide support and hands-on training in knot-tying and fishing gear assembly, as well as assistance with the clubs’ local events to increase student anglers’ confidence in the sport of fishing.

“We are extremely proud of the passion and dedication to conservation these student anglers have shown,” said Tom Graef, FWC’s director for the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management. “Encouraging the next generation of anglers to take part in activities that help their communities and our Florida fisheries at the same time is a win for all involved.”

Information about the 2022-23 High School Fishing program will be announced in the summer of 2022. For more information about the High School Fishing Program, you can visit MyFWC.com/HSF.

Punta Gorda Middle School won the Grand Prize package of custom fishing rods from Mud Hole Custom Tackle, curated tackle packs and hats from Baitstick and assorted tackle from Pure Fishing. A. Crawford Mosley High School won the Second Place Prize, and Palatka Junior Senior High School won the Third Place Prize.

“Supporting youth education is so important to our mission at Mud Hole Custom Tackle,” said Anthony Youmans, Mud Hole’s Education Program Director. “We’re honored to contribute to the Grand Prize in this year’s competition and are always supportive of FWC’s efforts to lead conservation projects here in Florida, our home state.”

Mud Hole Custom Tackle, based in Oviedo, is the world’s largest supplier of rod building and tackle crafting goods and instruction. From rod building and repairing, to fly tying and lure building, Mud Hole is the leading e-retailer and mail order supplier to hobbyists, small manufacturers and large OEMs, worldwide. Offering a superior shopping experience, rapid fulfillment, stellar customer service, and world class online content and instruction, Mud Hole Custom Tackle is the trusted source for the rod building and tackle crafting community. 

Minaya Learning Global Solutions launches national Healthcare Learning and Development Practice
Award-winning Southwest Florida based firm develops Healthcare workforces 

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (May 23, 2022) –  Minaya Learning Global Solutions LLC (MLGS), an award winning learning and development firm for mid-to-large enterprises around the world, has launched its Healthcare Learning and Development Practice for nonprofit and for-profit healthcare organizations.  The new Healthcare Learning and Development Practice offers healthcare organizations a proven partner for healthcare workforce development, learning strategy, a competency-based virtual learning platform for healthcare professionals, culture building and talent development solutions for improving the clinical and non-clinical workforce performance and development.  In addition, MLGS offers healthcare clients their Radical Collaboration program to assist

Healthcare leaders address and overcome organizational politics that are hindering

progress. 

The MLGS team is composed of learning and development, coaching, and facilitation talent who bring industry and evidence-based best practices to their healthcare clients and talent development solutions. Dr. Guido Minaya, CEO, leads the firm’ learning technologies and infrastructure services, which includes EngageSIM^TM for Healthcare – a cloud-based competency assessment platform. Susan Minaya, chief operations officer, leads the firm’s work on learning strategy development and healthcare talent development solutions encompassing onboarding, clinical competency, clinical and non-clinical soft skills, compliance and human resources, leadership, and executive development initiatives.

“The rapidly changing environment of Healthcare demands responsive learning and development solutions to keep staff in lockstep with changing regulations, patient care, soft skills, and organizational development,” said Dr. Minaya. “The healthcare industry is under significant pressure to retain talent, stay compliant, and remain highly competitive in a dynamic and cost sensitive environment. Minaya Learning Global Solutions can help your healthcare organization with workforce development solutions from onboarding to C-suite development that help raise the performance bar where it matters most – the patient experience,” he added.

Susan Minaya said, “talent shortages wreak havoc on healthcare organizations such as Lee Health, a MLGS client. Solutions for onboarding, workforce excellence and cultural alignment have been developed for Lee Health by MLGS. These operational improvements translate into improved levels of patient care, compliance and competency. MLGS has specific expertise addressing the challenges that healthcare organizations face and their solutions result in efficient training which frees up time for patients, and leadership excellence which drives culture.”

Michael Wukitsch, chief people officer, Lee Health added, “I have worked with Minaya Learning Global Solutions for the past three years. They take the time to understand our business needs and the unique characteristics of our organizational culture.  They have supported programs for onboarding, C-suite and executive leadership, compliance, clinical and non-clinical education and diversity.  If you need a trusted partner for your learning and development team, I highly recommend Minaya Learning Global Solutions.”

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About Minaya Learning Global Solutions (MLGS)

Headquartered in Cape Coral, Fla., Minaya Learning Global Solutions provides professional services and resources for every phase of the learning and development initiatives of companies around the world. Its proven experience and innovative business model makes it the right choice for many of the leading Fortune 500 companies, and a strategic subcontractor to the industry’s leading providers. Services include strategic consulting, learning strategy development, project management, instructional design, content development, instructor/facilitator services. Learn more at www.minayalearning.com.

Ready, Set, Grill!

Local SERVPRO fire remediation specialist advises Fort Myers grill masters to prepare now for a safe, savory outdoor cooking season

Fort Myers, FL (Grassroots Newswire) March 18, 2022 – For many, the Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer season. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) warns families that the onset of the summer season also marks a rise in home fires started by outdoor grilling activities. According to the NFPA, on average, 10,600 home fires are started by grills each year. July is the peak month for grill fires, followed by June, May, and August.¹

“Sixty-one percent of U.S. households own a gas grill,” says fire remediation specialist John Ferguson of SERVPRO of Bonita Springs/Estero. “A total of sixty-four percent own at least one outdoor BBQ, grill, or smoker. The popularity of this outdoor cooking equipment combined with longer, warmer days creates a unique fire hazard that should be taken seriously.”

The time to take precautions is now, adds Ferguson, before the outdoor cooking season is in full swing. The NFPA offers these basic tips for fire-safe grilling:²

For gas/propane grills:

• Check the gas tank for leaks before using.
• Open the lid on all gas grills before lighting the grill.

For charcoal grills:

• Use only charcoal starter fluid to start the fire but never add it or any flammable liquids to a fire that is burning.
• Cool coals completely before you dispose of them in a metal container.

For all grills:

• Place grill well away from house and deck railings. Don’t place under eaves or branches.
• Remove grease and fat buildup from grills and trays after each use.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill.
• Never leave the grill unattended when in use.

“Basic precautions set the stage for a safe and enjoyable outdoor cooking season,” says Ferguson. “Life is unpredictable, but you can take steps to control the risk of house and property fires caused by outdoor cooking. Whether you are strictly a summer grilling warrior or you use your grill year-round, simple, common-sense actions can help ensure that the only smoke you smell this summer is the sweet aroma of steaks and vegetables grilling.”

SERVPRO specializes in fire and water cleanup and restoration services and repair services, helping to remediate damage for both commercial and residential customers. For more information on SERVPRO of Bonita Springs/Estero, please contact John Ferguson at (239)791-8892 or servpro9126@msn.com. For more information about SERVPRO, please visit www.servpro.com.

¹https://www.nfpa.org//-/media/Images/Infographics/Grilling-Infographic2020BIG.png
²https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Press-Room/News-releases/2021/NFPA-offers-safe-grilling-tips-and-recommendations-to-prevent-fires-and-injuries

About SERVPRO
For more than 50 years, SERVPRO has been a trusted leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration services, construction, mold mitigation, and biohazard and pathogen remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 2,000 individually owned and operated franchises spans the United States and Canada, responding to property damage emergencies large and small – from million-square-foot commercial facilities to individual homes. When disaster strikes, homeowners, business owners, and major insurance companies alike rely on SERVPRO to make it “Like it never even happened.”

FWC announces 2022 Lionfish Challenge

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is excited to announce the 2022 Lionfish Challenge tournament, which kicks off May 20 and ends Sept. 6.

The Lionfish Challenge is a summer-long lionfish tournament open to competitors around the state of Florida. This is the seventh year of the Lionfish Challenge and our goal is still the same: remove as many lionfish as we can in just 3.5 months. Are you up for the Challenge?

Tournament details:

Timeline: May 20 to Sept. 6^.

Categories: Participants will compete in either the commercial or the recreational division.

Prizes will be awarded in tiers as follows:

• Tier 1 ­- Harvest 25 lionfish (recreational category) or 25 pounds of lionfish (commercial category).
• Tier 2 – Harvest 100 lionfish (recreational category) or 250 pounds of lionfish (commercial category).
• Tier 3 – Harvest 300 lionfish (recreational category) or 500 pounds of lionfish (commercial category).
• Tier 4- Harvest 600 lionfish (recreational category) or 1000 pounds of lionfish (commercial category)

FloGrown is the presenting sponsor for this year’s Lionfish Challenge. FloGrown is a Florida-based fishing and outdoor apparel company that supports the organizations and divers that work to fight the lionfish invasion. This year’s tournament shirt was custom-designed and printed by FloGrown and will be awarded to participants who reach the first prize tier.

Additional prizes provided by FloGrown, Neritic, ZooKeeper, Divers Alert Network, Shearwater, Smith Optics, GoPro, YETI and MORE!

To read the full tournament rules or register, visit  FWCReefRangers.com/lionfish-challenge.

Keep up with The Challenge on our Facebook page: Facebook.com/FWCReefRangers.

For more information on FloGrown, visit Flogrown.com.

Fort Myers Brewing Company earns international honors

at 2022 World Beer Cup

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 19, 2022) – Fort Myers Brewing Company has earned international acclaim with a gold medal at the 2022 World Beer Cup, a global beer competition recognizing the most outstanding brewers and their beers.

The brewery was awarded gold in the Chocolate Beer category for its popular Chocolate Stout, an imperial stout that’s chock-full of sweetness and decadent layers of rich chocolate seamlessly melding with subtle wisps of roasted barley and espresso.

“For our Chocolate Stout to be named the best in the world in this prestigious competition is an incredible honor,” said Rob Whyte, who co-founded Fort Myers Brewing in 2013 with his wife, Jen. “Our brewing team is passionate about our work to perfect and fine-tune unique, flavorful craft brews for fellow beer-lovers to enjoy, so it means a lot for our stout to be selected by judges around the world for this top recognition.”

Regarded as “the Olympics of beer,” the World Beer Cup is the most prestigious beer competition in the world, presented biennially by the Brewers Association in conjunction with the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America, which was held this year on May 5 in Minnesota. The 2022 competition attracted 10,542 entries across 103 categories from breweries in 57 countries, and winners were selected by an international panel of 226 judges.

About Fort Myers Brewing Company

Established in 2013, Fort Myers Brewing Company was the first microbrewery to open in Lee County and continues to lead Southwest Florida’s surging craft beer movement. Founded by Rob and Jen Whyte, Fort Myers Brewing carries a signature line of flagship beers in addition to seasonal brews and small batch specialties. Its ales, pilsners, stouts, IPAs and hard seltzers are winners of multiple prestigious awards, including golds at the Best Florida Beer Competition, a silver at the 2018 World Beer Cup, a bronze at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival and Grand National Champion at the 2021 U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship. Fort Myers Brewing was named “Best Large Brewery in Florida” in 2016 and received the Business Resiliency and Innovation of the Year Award at the Lee County Economic Development Office, Horizon Council and Horizon Foundation’s 2021 Industry Appreciation Awards. Its beers are poured at 1,041 locations, including 620 bars and restaurants, and are available for purchase in 421 retail outlets, including grocery, package and convenience stores. The brewery is located at 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers. For more information, visit FMbrew.com or call 239-313-6576.

May 20, 2022
FWC reminds boaters to boat safely during National Safe Boating Week
Florida leads the nation with over 1 million registered vessels across the state and is known as a prime boating spot for residents and visitors. Unfortunately, each year Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers respond to far too many tragic boating accidents that could have been prevented. With National Safe Boating Week and the release of the 2021 Boating Accident Statistical Report, the FWC encourages boaters to focus on effective ways to make boating safer.

“National Safe Boating Week is May 21-27 and, with many people enjoying Florida’s year-round boating season, we encourage boaters to boat safely,” said Maj. Rob Beaton, FWC’s Boating and Waterways section leader. “Reminding people to be safe and slow down is our top priority. Nothing can ruin an enjoyable and memorable experience on the water faster than a boating accident.”

Among other boating safety tips found at MyFWC.com/Boating, boaters are encouraged to wear their life jackets, maintain 360-degree awareness and know the dangers (and penalties) for operating a vessel while impaired. According to FWC boating accident statistics, over half of all reportable boating accidents in 2021 were due to collisions, with 45% of those collisions attributed to operator inattention or improper lookout.
“All too often, preventable tragedies happen because individuals choose to operate a boat while distracted or impaired,” said Beaton. “FWC law enforcement officers will be doing their part to ensure the safety of Florida’s recreational boaters.”

To report people who are boating dangerously, call 888-404-FWCC (3922) or text Tip@MyFWC.com. More information can be found by visiting MyFWC.com/Boating. You can even search there for the Florida Public Boat Ramp Finder to help you find a great place to launch your boat.

The FWC is responsible for reviewing, analyzing and compiling boating accident data for the state. Its statistical report details boating accidents and their causes. The theme of accident-related messages from FWC staff is clear: Officers want to help keep Florida’s beautiful waterways a safe place to boat.

For a copy of the 2021 Boating Accident Statistical Report, visit MyFWC.com/Boating and select “Safety & Education” and “Boating Accidents.”

QUESTIONS? Contact the FWC
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Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission · 620 S. Meridian Street · Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 · (850) 48