By Doug Beebe
Silvia Cerezo Beebe has served the South Florida community for over 20 years. Her journey started in Miami Dade County in the 11th Judicial Circuit in Family Court Services and Mental Health Administrators Office. She was grateful to work alongside incredible mentors that influenced her career early on in a trajectory of serving the community.
Silvia continued her community advocacy efforts with the University of South Florida as the National Evaluation Director, monitoring data collection activities for accuracy and ensuring the integrity of the data for a local Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMHSA) grant. This data and the lessons learned have been used to create and expand Broward’s System of care.
Her work in Broward County continued at the Children Services Council of Broward County were she fulfilled various roles including Community Systems Administrator focusing on the Assistant Director of Community Partnerships. Organized all cultural competence workgroups and initiatives while participating in funder’s forums. Continuing to serve promoted to Community Systems AdministratorSpecial Needs. There Silvia identified the unmet need for children and youth with special needs and behavioral health conditions. Implemented priority initiatives goals for Special Needs Business and Broward County Children Strategic Plan. She partnered with Joe DiMaggio Children Hospital for the Annual Family Resource Fair for Children with Special Needs. Created and organized the 1st annual “Transition to Life” Summit.
As she embarked on a fulfilling her passion for caring for vulnerable and at risk children, Silvia was appointed by the Florida Department of Children and Family as Circuit 17th Community Development Administrator. This position gave her an opportunity to implement policy in the child welfare system and represent the Department in different forums. She was the local lead in the Statewide Crossover youth initiative with the Department of Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare.
Mrs. Beebe is currently with Broward County as the Assistant Division Director for Community Partnership. She oversees operations in the division that encompasses homelessness, health care and children services.
Silvia’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Services Administration and Master of Science Degree in Public Administration from Florida International University, Miami, FL.
She served in the United States Navy Reserves as a Hospital Corpsman.
Her board appointments include the Children Services Council of Broward, Children Services Board-Advisory to the County Commission, Early Learning Coalition Board, CareerSource Board, Domestic Violence Child Fatality Review Board, and Mi Gente, Mi Escuela, as a special designee from Broward County Public Schools.
