Joni Shook, Program Outreach, Monique Burr Foundation for Children, Inc.

The Monique Burr Foundation for Children, Inc. has appointed Joni Shook to manage program outreach for the statewide organization.

“Joni has been a loyal supporter of our mission to provide programs designed to prevent child abuse and bullying in Duval County as a district level specialist in School Counseling,” said Lynn Layton, executive director of the Monique Burr Foundation for Children. “We are fortunate to have her join our team as we receive additional requests for our MBF Child Safety Matters™ program throughout the state.”

Shook recently retired from Duval County Public Schools after a 34-year career. She is also an instructor with the Hope Haven Children’s Clinic and Family Center and the American School Counselor Association.

“I have been an ambassador for the Monique Burr Foundation for Children to my school counselor colleagues throughout Florida,” explained Shook. “I am honored to expand the outreach efforts for the MBF Child Safety Matters™ program. I have first-hand knowledge of the effectiveness of the program in preventing child abuse and bullying.”

Shook completed her Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of North Florida and is a member of the American School Counselor Association, Florida School Counselor Association and First Coast Counseling Association. Her many honors include: Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of North Florida College of Education (2009) and Supervisor Advocacy Award from the Florida School Counselor Association (2008). Shook has presented at numerous conferences including the American School Counselors Association National Forum, the Florida School Counselor Association State Conference, the Education Trust Summer Academy and the College Board National Forum.

About the Monique Burr Foundation for Children

The Monique Burr Foundation for Children, Inc., started by Edward E. Burr, president and CEO of GreenPointe Holdings, is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide prevention education relevant to issues facing children today. MBF Child Safety Matters^TM is a research-based, primary prevention education program, designed to educate and empower elementary students and all relevant adults with information and strategies to prevent bullying, cyberbullying, digital abuse and all types of child abuse and exploitation. The MBF Child Safety Matters^TM curriculum is approved in 57counties in Florida and these safety lessons have reached more than 1 million children. The foundation has trained more than 1,300 facilitators to implement the program. The program is made possible through donations, which make it possible for every child in every public elementary school to receive this safety training.

MBF Child Safety Matters^TM continues to expand as a collaborative effort with the Florida Governor’s Office, the Florida Office of the Attorney General, the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Department of Children & Families. For more information about the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, call (904) 642-0210 or visit www.mbfchildsafetymatters.org.