The Children’s Board would like to welcome Frank Prado, Suncoast Regional Managing Director Florida Department of Children and Families, to our Governing Board of Directors.

Frank Prado is a compassionate and driven professional with over two decades experience in child welfare and social services. Frank’s appointment as the Regional Managing Director for the Florida Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Suncoast Region brings his child welfare career full circle, having started with DCF in 2001 as a Child Protective Investigator. Frank’s leadership led to him serving as a Child Protective Investigator Supervisor before joining Florida’s Guardian ad Litem Program as Circuit Director of the 20th Judicial Circuit in 2007. Frank then served as the organization’s Regional Director of the South-Central part of the state before assuming his most recent role as Statewide Director of Operations. Prior to child welfare, Frank held leadership positions in the non-profit social services sector and private sector.

Frank credits his unique experience growing up in multiple culturally diverse countries as having helped shaped his work in child welfare and his commitment to children and their families. At the age of 12, Frank’s native country of Nicaragua entered a time of civil unrest leading to Frank’s parents sending him to live with his aunt in Milan, Italy. This challenging and difficult time apart from his parents left a lasting impact on him that continues to guide him in his career. Frank completed middle school in Milan before moving to Miami, Florida. Frank received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The Florida State University and subsequently earned a Certificate in Public Management through the Florida Center for Public Management at The Florida State University. In 2016, Frank was selected as a member of the prestigious Annie E. Casey Foundation Children and Family Fellowship. He is also fluent in Spanish and Italian.

When he is not at work, he enjoys watching and coaching soccer. He holds both State and National soccer coaching licenses. Frank has a son who lives in Miami and a daughter who attends the University of Southern California. He lives with his wife and two dogs in Fort Myers, Florida.