Champions for Children, Inc.

Our Mission

Champions for Children's mission is to build stronger families with thriving children throughout in the Tampa Bay Region through our child abuse prevention and family education programs.

Our Values

• Prevention and Early Intervention:  Our prevention-first approach focuses on addressing problems before they begin. Using a multi-generational model, we work with parents and children together as early as pregnancy to help families build core strengths that support children’s safety and success.
• Cultural Humility: We are dedicated to continuous learning to deepen our understanding of different cultures, as well as how they are reflected in the diverse experiences and unique needs and strengths of families we serve.
• Proven Impact: We provide science-driven education, support, and resources for families, with measurable results. By helping families to create an environment in which children can truly thrive, the entire community benefits from improved economic, civic, and health outcomes.
• Trauma Sensitivity: The past traumatic experiences of parents and children can have a major impact on their present needs and lifelong outcomes. Our staff are trained to help our families prevent, cope with, counteract and prevent trauma so they can move forward stronger.
• Strong Families, Thriving Children: Through our own programs and those of our trusted partners, we work with families to address all their needs, so they can focus on ensuring their children are safe and nurtured to develop to their fullest potential.

Our History

Champions for Children was founded in 1977 and known as the Child Abuse Council. The Council was an outgrowth of a project led by the Junior League of Tampa and other community partners, with a mission to treat child abuse and neglect. We have always envisioned a world free from child abuse and neglect, and through our work with families came to hold the conviction that a shift to a prevention-first model would be the best way to help our community realize this vision.

Over time, our mission evolved to be more “proactive” than “reactive” and we changed our name to Champions for Children. Today, we are the Tampa Bay area’s leading agency dedicated exclusively to the prevention of child abuse and neglect through family education, with more than 35,000 children, parents, and other caregivers benefiting from their participation in our nationally accredited programs and services annually.