Jack Levine: With integrity and compassion, Mike Carroll will be hard to replace

Mike Carroll, Secretary of Department of Children and Families, speaks during a press conference to launch Prevent Child Abuse with Florida's annual "Pinwheels for Prevention" campaign at the Florida Governor's Mansion.

Serving as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families is the second most challenging job in Florida government.

Day or night, you never know what agonizing tragedy will confront your staff and community partners.

Public servants of Mike Carroll’s high integrity, breadth of knowledge and deep compassion are difficult to replace.

We are about to experience the most sweeping government transition in Florida’s history.

Even over the four-month period before the inauguration of a new Governor, no matter who she or he may be, Mike Carroll will be missed.

I hope the leaders of the new administration will identify someone who matches Mike’s smarts and sensitivity, talents and tenacity, honesty and humility.

The children and families of our diverse state desperately need and definitely deserve no less.

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Jack Levine is the founder of the 4Generations Institute in Tallahassee.