Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County

The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB) has made the safety, health, and well-being of our county’s children a top priority for nearly 80 years. JWB was established by a Special Act of the Florida Legislature as a countywide special taxing district to strengthen the lives of Pinellas County children and families. Our vision is that all children in Pinellas County will have an equitable opportunity to fulfill their potential and achieve meaningful and purposeful lives as a result of the efforts of JWB and our partners.

Early childhood experiences lay the foundation for a successful adulthood. One in five youth will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. One in six children ages two to eight has a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. One in four teens has considered suicide. Roughly 50% of all chronic mental illness begins by age 14, yet most go untreated until later years. Early intervention is key to developing healthy coping skills and resiliency. The Juvenile Welfare Board and our partners launched the Children’s Mental Health Initiative to increase prevention, early detection, and intervention.