By Jennifer Kennedy
Thirty years ago, when Phil Kabler and his wife moved to Gainesville to start a family, he accepted a life-changing position with the State of Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. In this role, he managed contracts for CDS Family and Behavioral Health Services, an experience that left a lasting impression. The North Florida social services agency provides residential and non-residential behavioral health services to youth ages 6-17. It teaches tools, coping, and resilience skills through free counseling. Additionally, CDS assists youth aging out of the foster care system and offers prevention education in schools regarding substance use and violence.
Years later, when Kabler changed jobs to pursue a career in business, real estate, and finance law, he remained committed to CDS’ efforts by staying involved as a volunteer and board member.
Today, his professional life comes full circle as he retires as a partner in a successful law firm and as a business and law adjunct professor. He now steps in to lead the private, non-profit organization to support their mission – “Strengthening Communities by Building Strong Families.”
With a focus on programs to help youth avoid delinquency, CDS provides a safe and healthy place to stay temporarily. Strategies are implemented to strengthen family relations, improve attendance in schools and enhance communication. Referrals can come from anyone within the community, including parents, teachers or law enforcement. The goal is to restore families and prepare youth to be contributing members of society.
Some CDS’ key initiatives include: Interface Youth Shelter, a residential program in Gainesville, Lake City, and Palatka, where participants develop social-emotional skills through individual, group and family therapy. Family Action provides short-term counseling designed to repair broken communication between parents and their children. The Independent Living Program teaches young adults in foster care the tools and life skills to become independent. Prevention Services and “Stop Now and Plan” (SNAP) are evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral programs designed for children to learn how to effectively manage their emotions through communication, problem-solving, and behavior management in both office and school settings. The Safe Place Program, which is sponsored by CDS in alliance with the National Safe Place Organization, designates hundreds of schools, libraries and businesses in Alachua and Putnam counties as safe havens where youth can go for help during a crisis.
Kabler deeply admires the CDS Board of Directors and professional team, and describes them as talented, dedicated, passionate people who work through difficult circumstances. He says, “They are truly infinite in their abilities: fast, smart, resilient and work exceptionally well with the resources they are given.”
The new CEO’s priority is to support this team so they can best serve the community. He views his new role not just as Chief Executive Officer but a role that he often prefers to call Chief Excitement/Energy/Entertainment Officer. He makes an effort to get out of his comfort zone to further their mission. Recently, this even meant learning some TikTok routines for CDS employees, whom he insists on referring to as “family” instead of staff.
Kabler views the move back to a place where his career began as his dream job. In his words, “It is indeed possible to come home again. I have.”