The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) is pleased today to announce Supervisor Gina Youmans of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office is the recipient of the inaugural Florida Sheriffs Association Civilian of the Year award. This award recognizes exemplary service above self by a civilian employed at a Florida sheriff’s office.

“The very foundation of victim advocacy is understanding and serving those particular needs of victims so that a crime may not define the individual. Gina Youmans has done just that and so much more for victims in Pasco County,” said Florida Sheriffs Association President and Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter. “We cannot think of someone more deserving of this recognition than Gina Youmans.”

Florida’s sheriffs know too well that a victim’s journey doesn’t end following the trauma of a crime. It takes an exceptional type of person to provide the necessary support for victims so that their healing process may begin in earnest. Victim advocates possess those qualities that define helping others – compassion, moral character, integrity and dependability. These qualities and more are reflected within Gina Youmans. Youmans, a 28-year veteran of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO), has continued to set the standard for victim advocacy through her countless contributions to the service of victims.

Following significant turnover in the Pasco Sheriff’s Office Victim Advocates Unit, Youmans led the charge to find like-minded champions for victims, while also working tirelessly to revolutionize the ways in which victims’ needs are met with her team’s “Crime Scene to Court Room” model of victim advocacy.

“Gina is devoted to creating a system in which all victims, regardless of their particular situation, can have the support they need, from the aftermath of a crime through trial and beyond,” said Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco. “Our Victim Advocates Unit now stands as a shining example in Florida of how to best provide support to victims of violent crime. Her enthusiasm and total commitment to the well-being of others is inspiring.”

Youmans praises those around her for the success of PCSO’s Victim Advocates Unit. “It’s an easy thing to help others when I’m surrounded by so many that have made it their life’s goal to serve those in need. I’ve always felt the need to help those around me – and there’s perhaps no people that need my help more than victims of crime,” said Youmans upon receiving the Civilian of the Year Award.

This isn’t the first time that Youmans’ efforts in her community have been recognized. In 2018, Gina was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by Sunrise of Pasco, a domestic and sexual violence center in Pasco County, for her continual work on behalf of victims in the area.

Gina Youmans was officially named the 2019 Civilian of the Year at the FSA Summer Conference banquet in Tampa. The award is proudly sponsored by the Florida Sheriffs Risk Management Fund.

“The life that Gina lives is exactly what this award stands for. I don’t think that you’ll find another person out there that consistently puts others before herself,” said Florida Sheriffs Risk Management Fund Executive Director, Don Eslinger. “She not only provides immeasurable support to victims in Pasco County, but helps others within the Pasco Sheriff’s Office Victim Advocates Unit so that they can better serve victims themselves.”

For more information on this achievement, watch the official video here: https://youtu.be/hV1jn1HrxJI

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Florida Sheriffs Association:
The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation made up of the 67 Sheriffs of Florida, approximately 2,500 business leaders and 83,000 citizens throughout the state. Founded in 1893, FSA has steadfastly served the citizens of Florida by supporting the needs of the state's law enforcement community. Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriffs are given a forum to address lawmakers to push for positive changes in Florida’s public safety arena. FSA also provides Sheriffs' Offices much-needed programs such as affordable training, special task forces and legislative and legal services.  Dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency and the development of lawful, productive citizens, FSA has established and funded the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches with facilities throughout the state to help restore hope, fulfill dreams, and prepare boys and girls for the future. It has grown to be one of the largest and most successful state law enforcement associations in the nation.

Florida Sheriffs Risk Management Fund:
The Florida Sheriffs Risk Management Fund (FSRMF), created and owned by Florida Sheriffs, provides customized and affordable liability, automobile and workers’ compensation coverages to Florida Sheriff’s offices. The FSRMF, which originally offered liability coverage, was established in 1978 and currently insures 59 Sheriffs’ offices. The FSRMF is managed by a Board of Managers comprised of Sheriffs elected by the membership. The day-to-day operations are handled by a professional team of dedicated underwriting, claims and risk control employees of FSRMF who have extensive working knowledge in law enforcement. Learn more at www.fsrmf.org.