BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
For more than 20 years, Mrs. Lorita Shirley has campaigned for children in state custody. Last month, Eckerd Community Alternatives was awarded the contract to provide services to Hillsborough County, replacing Hillsborough Kids, Inc., (HKI).
Mrs. Shirley now serves as the Executive Director of the Circuit 13, CBC Lead Agency for child welfare services in Hillsborough County. Mrs. Shirley introduced herself to the community Tuesday during a news conference with David Wilkins, Secretary of State, Department of Children and Families.
During a telephone interview Ms. Shirley said, “I am coming back home. I’m happy to be back in my own community working. Our children are being pulled from their homes and placed in the system, and are not connected to their relatives or people in the community.
“Our belief at Eckerd is in God and respect for all. We are committed to kids and our vision is to provide every child with an opportunity to succeed.”
She further stated that she plans to reconnect with the minority communities and call on members of the community to step up.
Mrs. Shirley said she believes in being accessible to the community and keeping an open line of communications. She wants to know about things not done correctly. Echoing the philosophy of Eckerd, her goal is to focus on safety, quality outcomes, accountability, and transparency.
A Florida native and longtime Hillsborough County resident, Mrs. Shirley completed her education earning BSW and MSW degrees from Florida State University.
She began her career with the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. Her leadership role began in Osceola County.
She became the Executive Director and served in Pinellas and Pasco Counties, overseeing the second largest child welfare system in the state. Mrs. Shirley and her team are currently preparing to fulfill their contract on July 1st.
A Hillsborough County resident, Mrs. Shirley commuted for several years. Now, she looks forward to working in her own community.
Mrs. Shirley is married and is the mother of three daughters. She is a member of First Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, in St. Petersburg, and attends Love First Christian Center, in Tampa.
