Executive Director Retires Carol McNally, the longtime executive director of Healthy Families Florida (HFF), announced her retirement at the program's recent Leadership Meeting in Orlando. Carol, a trailblazer in the field of home visiting for the prevention of child abuse and neglect, has worked tirelessly to promote programs and policies that have a positive impact on the lives of children and families. ![Carol McNally](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs144/1101609431514/img/329.jpg)
| Carol McNally |
"It is with mixed feelings that we bid farewell to Carol," said Doug Sessions, president and CEO of the Ounce of Prevention Fund. "It is difficult to sum up with a few sentences her 16 years of achievements and dedicated service to Healthy Families. Her hard work and commitment to Florida's most vulnerable children and families will be remembered. She is a stellar example of what child advocates should strive for and I hope others will follow in her footsteps." On hand to celebrate and congratulate Carol was Congressman Daniel Webster. "I was grateful to participate in the Healthy Families Florida Leadership Meeting to recognize their flawless national accreditation and thank Carol McNally for the tremendous work of her team," said Congressman Webster. "Carol is a passionate advocate of Healthy Families Florida and it was a pleasure to reflect on the lives of countless children and families in the State of Florida that have been changed due to her efforts and care." Lifetime Achievement Award Bestowed In recognition of her lifelong commitment to the betterment of children and their families, Prevent Child Abuse America and Healthy Families America (HFA) presented Carol with a Lifetime Achievement Award. "This is only the second lifetime achievement award we have granted in the 22 year history of HFA," said Cyd Wessel, Senior Director of Healthy Families America. Daniel Webster Leadership Award Presented Each year, HFF presents the Daniel Webster Leadership Award to recognize outstanding leadership in advocating for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. This award was created in honor of Congressman Daniel Webster who, as Florida Speaker of the House, worked tirelessly to pass the legislation that created Healthy Families Florida in 1998. ![Carol McNally, Congressman Daniel Webster, Doug Sessions, Cindy Brown, Elizabeth Tyrell](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs144/1101609431514/img/325.jpg)
| Carol McNally, Congressman Daniel Webster, Doug Sessions, Cindy Brown, Elizabeth Tyrell |
The recipient of the 2014 Daniel Webster Leadership Award is Representative Matt Hudson. Representative Hudson served as Chairman of the Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee during the 2014 legislative session. ![Doug Sessions, Carol McNally, Representative Matt Hudson, Cindy Brown, Ted Granger](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs144/1101609431514/img/327.jpg)
| Doug Sessions, Carol McNally, Representative Matt Hudson, Cindy Brown, Ted Granger |
Lauding this year's recipient of the Leadership Award, Webster said, "As Chair of the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, Representative Matt Hudson has worked hard to address the health and education needs of Florida's children and has also fought to increase funding for Healthy Families Florida as part of the Child Welfare reform package. His chairmanship is marked by fiscal responsibility and innovation in access and delivery of healthcare to Florida's most vulnerable populations." Representative Hudson has steadfastly supported Healthy Families throughout his legislative tenure and was instrumental in the appropriation of an additional $2 million in funding for Healthy Families Florida during the 2014 legislative session. This additional funding will establish programs in Seminole, Baker and Osceola counties to serve an additional 558 high-risk families and their 1,040 children. ![hff logo](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs087/1101609431514/img/57.jpg)
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