Children’s Trust of Alachua County Names Acting Executive Director
Laser-focused on Summer Programs
For Immediate Release: March 22, 2022
Gainesville, FL – The Board of the Children’s Trust of Alachua County announced the appointment of Kristy Goldwire, MSW, as Acting Executive Director of the organization, pending the selection of a permanent director.
“We have faith in Kristy to lead the Trust and to be laser-focused on our upcoming summer programs and to lead the Trust in greater engagement with the community,” said Dr. Maggie Labarta, the Chair of the Trust Board. Labarta is the former CEO of Meridian, a private, non-profit organization with roots in the community mental health movement.
Goldwire, a High Springs native, was initially hired as the Director of Program Operations in November 2020. In that role, she has been responsible for providing programs for the children of Alachua County, including the successful summer programs which benefited over 1,000 children last summer. Goldwire prepares and administers the annual funding contract management, fund distribution, program monitoring, and evaluation. She has been personally visiting program sites and engaging firsthand with kids and the providers.
Goldwire directs the implementation of the Children’s Trust’s Strategic Funding Plan. Goldwire also manages the Pritzker Children’s Initiative, coordinating with other systems leaders, including the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County Well Florida - Healthy Start Coalition and other early childcare providers.
Before accepting the Director of Program Operations position at the Children’s Trust, she worked for the Partnership for Strong Families in contract management. She also managed and oversaw operations of the SWAG Family Resource Center.
Goldwire is the former Executive Director for Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition in Tallahassee, FL. She was responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Coalition, staff, programs, sustainability, and execution of its mission. Goldwire worked with the CAHSC for 11 years and has over 13 years of Maternal Child Health experience.
Goldwire earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and her Master’s degree in Social Work Administration at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University.
Goldwire was honored for her service in the community by the Chi Theta Zeta Graduate Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. as a Finer Women in Service. She received the MSW Alumnus Award from Florida A&M University – Social Work Association of Graduate Students and was named the department’s Macro Star in 2018. She served on the Board of Directors for Whole Child Leon and the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions.
About the Trust
The Children's Trust of Alachua County provides children's services year-round throughout Alachua County so that children are healthy, educated, supported, and safe. The Children's Trust is a member of the Pritzker Children's Initiative.
###
Contact: Daniel J. Douglas
Email: ddouglas@childrenstrustofalachuacounty.us
Phone: 352-374-1825 or 352-647-6253
Website: www.childrenstrustofalachuacounty.us
