The Children's Board of Hillsborough County, with the Florida Children's Services Council, recently honored state Rep. Rich Glorioso, a Plant City Republican, for his work to help children and young adults.
Glorioso was presented with the Stepping Up for Children award to recognize his support for school readiness and foster care programs during the economically challenging 2007 legislative session, the children's board said in a statement.
Glorioso, a Plant City commissioner before he was elected to the Legislature, was instrumental in passing legislation to preserve the state's independent living program for young adults aging out of foster care, the board said. The program prepares Florida's foster youth for the transition into adulthood.
Without the program, they miss out on basic life lessons, such as how to cook, keep a house or apartment, live within a budget or balance a checkbook, the board said. Other "aged out" foster teens end up homeless and living on the streets following their 18th birthdays.
"Rep. Glorioso's leadership and perseverance over time clearly demonstrates his strong commitment to advancing the cause of all of Florida's children and their families. He has shown that he is committed to finding permanent solutions to barriers and challenges in our state," Luanne Panacek, CEO of the children's board, said in the statement.
"While there is work left to be done, Rep. Glorioso has set the stage for progress and promise on many key issues."
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