LSF MAKES A DIFFERENCE
LSF is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to helping the most vulnerable Floridians. We do this by reducing the suicide and drug addiction rate, giving families in crisis the support they need to persevere, and making sure those in poverty get the education they need to close the achievement gap.
In total, LSF impacts the lives of
Safe Children.
Strong Families.
Vibrant Communities.
Our ability to create safe children, strong families, and vibrant communities is made possible through a tapestry of support. We bring together churches, generous individuals, foundations, businesses, and competitively procured government grants to address complex community challenges. This collective effort ensures that we can continue providing essential services to those who need them most.
We are grateful for your partnership and look forward to another year of meaningful impact. Fiscal year 2023 was another year of widening growth and deepening impact on the lives of many Floridians. Each number in our impact report represents a vulnerable individual in need of life-changing services, and your unwavering commitment has helped make that possible. Whether through financial contributions, volunteer efforts, or spreading awareness, your support drives positive change across Florida.
19,557
children and families served through community counseling, foster care & adoption, and family support programming.
550
youth found refuge and direction at one of our shelters or group homes.
Educated more than
4,992
at-risk children and supported their families through LSF Early Head Start and Head Start programs.
Served more than
3,480,040
meals and snacks in our Head Start and after-school programs.
Managed the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance abuse for
980,413
individuals through LSF Health Systems across 23 counties.
Supported
333
adults at risk of exploitation due to age, disability, or other life-altering issues.
Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, LSF has more than 65 programs throughout Florida and approximately 1,600 dedicated employees.
We are making a genuine and constructive impact in the communities we serve.
Samuel M. Sipes
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Sam joined LSF as CEO in September 2007. At that time, LSF had several hundred employees and an annual budget of approximately $30 million. During his tenure, Sam led the agency’s tremendous growth to more than 2,500 employees and a budget of more than $400 million. Sam has a background in leadership roles in nonprofit organizations, as well as experience in child welfare, social services, mental health, and programs for senior citizens. Prior to joining LSF, Sam served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Lutheran Social Services of the South (LSSS) in Austin, Texas. Under his leadership LSSS became the largest provider of children’s residential services in Texas. Sam also was instrumental in expanding residential and non-residential services to senior citizens along with disaster response efforts across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. In 2005, Sam was among the key leaders that helped organize and manage the regional and national response to Hurricane Katrina. Sam has served on numerous boards including the Council on Accreditation of Child and Family Services, the Florida Coalition for Children, and Lutheran Services in America. He was a member of the Florida Faith-Based and Community-Based Advisory Council to identify ways to deliver services more effectively. Sam received both a Master of Science in Social Work and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin.
Bob Wydra
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Known as a nonprofit executive with an extensive financial and accounting background, Bob joined LSF in 2016. He comes to LSF after spending 15 years as Controller and CFO at the Children’s Home Society of Florida. With over 25 years in the not for profit sector, Bob is well versed in nonprofit accounting, fiscal policy compliance, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning.
Amelia Fox
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
Amelia brings deep knowledge in developing and executing strategies for growth across multiple industries, and has significant experience in building people-focused organizations and designing and implementing programs to improve outcomes and overall business processes. She has led several organizational transformations to include building a strategic planning team and developing global strategies for growth at a multi-billion dollar payments company. She holds a BA in psychology from Davidson College and an MBA from Yale University, School of Management.
Dr. Christine Cauffield
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT - SAMH
Dr. Christine Cauffield has served as President and CEO of organizations providing integrated health services for children through seniors, including a corporation that provides in-patient, acute psychiatric care to seniors in crisis. She received her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology and completed her Internship and Post-Doctoral Residency at Harvard Medical School, where she specialized in geriatric neuropsychology. She serves as President of Florida Council on Aging, President of Florida Association of Managing Entities, and serves on the Executive Board of Smart Justice of Florida.
Robert W. Haley, Esq.
GENERAL COUNSEL
Prior to joining LSF in 2016, Rob served as a Senior Associate with a Tampa based civil litigation firm. In this role he primarily practiced in the areas of plaintiff’s side insurance disputes (general liability and property), wrongful death, catastrophic injury, and mass tort proceedings. Additionally, his experience includes the direct legal representation of clients similarly served in multiple programs operated by LSF, including Immigrant Detainees, Refugees, Asylees, and Guardianship populations. Rob is an admitted member in good standing of The Florida Bar
Mike Carroll
CHIEF OPERATIING OFFICER
Mike joined LSF in 2018 after retiring as the Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families ending a state career that spanned more than 28 years within the department. As the Chief Operating Officer, Mike manages the day-to-day operations of LSF’s core lines of service including Family Focus, Head Start and Health Systems. Mike also oversees the Central Services Departments of Human Resources and Quality Assurance and works to champion our mission, vision and values. One of Mike’s biggest strengths is advocating for vulnerable families and that is clear in LSF’s expansion of child welfare programs across the state.
Bob Bialas
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF CHILDREN & HEAD START SERVICES
Bob joined LSF in 2019 after retiring as a Captain from the United States Public Health Service (USPHS). Bob served in many different capacities throughout his 26+ years with the USPHS. As the Executive Vice President of Children and Head Start Services, Bob is responsible for overseeing Head Start services for approximately 5,800 children and families, totaling $53 million with over 750 employees throughout Florida.
Lisa Mayrose
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF FAMILY FOCUS
While Lisa is driven by measurable outcomes and is known as a change agent, she recognizes people are the most important resource and dedicates time to growing and nurturing leaders to further strengthen social services in Florida. Lisa most recently served as the Vice President of Operations for LSF Family Focus. As the Executive Vice President of Family focus, Lisa now oversees child welfare, children and families in need of services (CINS/FINS) programs, refugee services, adult advocacy, and multiple other direct service programs. Since joining LSF four years ago, Lisa’s scope of responsibility has grown significantly. Before joining us at LSF she was the former Regional Managing Director for the Department of Children and Families in the SunCoast Region. Lisa is a 30-year social services veteran and was a longtime DCF employee with a wide array of program and operations experience.
