Latonya Delaughter, M.P.A. (BSHE ’10)

Empowering the next generation to adopt healthier lifestyle choices is Latonya Delaughter’s, MPA (BSHE ’10), guiding star. As a program officer for the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, an independent special district that serves children and families through contracts with more than 60 programs and services, Delaughter manages and supports local providers focused on improving outcomes for children from birth to age 5.

A graduate of the University of Florida Department of Health Education & Behavior, Delaughter credits the UF College of Health & Human Performance for providing the tools, knowledge and confidence to achieve her career aspirations. 

Early in her time at UF, Delaughter felt compelled to improve the health and well-being of others.

“I really just felt like if people had information ahead of time, it would prevent certain things from happening down the line for them,” she said.

Initially drawn to nursing, Delaughter found her calling after her first semester, when she declared her major in health education and behavior, focusing on sexual health and wellness for youth and adolescents.

In the department, she connected with faculty who helped shape her future. Delores C.S. James, Ph.D., an associate professor, encouraged her to participate in research, which led to Delaughter being published in one of James’ papers. Holly T. Moses, Ph.D., MCHES, an instructional associate professor, also played a pivotal role in supporting her early career growth.

“She played such an instrumental role in my early career development through the professional development and internship courses, leading Eta Sigma Gamma and coordinating the annual Sex in the Swamp event,” Delaughter said.

“College is that life experience that you get…how much you pour into it is what you’re going to get out of it,” she said. “Maybe it’s just an opportunity to sharpen your skills, or maybe it’s an opportunity to learn something. To get that practical experience, to me, that’s invaluable.”

Building her career in community health

After graduating in 2010, Delaughter worked as a health educator for a nonprofit organization to implement a teen pregnancy prevention program in Miami-Dade County. In 2013, she joined the Florida Department of Health in Broward County as a senior health educator supporting tobacco prevention initiatives, initially focusing on employer cessation programs and later shifting to youth prevention.

“I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world – it was a really great training ground,” she said.

Delaughter also served as a shelter manager during Hurricanes Irma and Michael for a special-needs pediatric shelter. It was her first crisis deployment, but not her last. At the start of the global pandemic, she was deployed to support the National Guard’s response to COVID-19 in Broward County. 

“This was a pivotal point. Nobody had any clue what was going on; everybody was afraid,” she said. “My director said, ‘You guys are going to help support the National Guard…you guys are just going to be there for 2 weeks.’”

For nearly two years, she served as a point-of-distribution manager, overseeing multiple high-volume testing and vaccination sites, leading about 150 medical and clerical staff, and identifying opportunities to improve operations. On her days off, she visited different sites to train staff, conduct quality assurance and improve efficiency across 15 sites.

“I think the experience at UF propelled that work ethic that sits at the center for me – excellence is the goal for me,” she said.

As COVID-19 cases declined, Delaughter accepted a new role as operations director for the community health division and was later promoted to assistant director. In those roles, she oversaw the strategic planning and operations of all federal, state and locally funded programs within the division.

Coming back to her why

After nearly 12 years at the health department, she broadened her impact within public health by becoming a program officer for the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, a local funding agency. In her most recent undertaking, she has led strategic planning efforts to expand the council’s reach to older youth and address service gaps throughout the county. Delaughter explains that her previous work, which involved collaborating with older youth and community partners to advocate for a schoolwide tobacco policy, opened her eyes to the potential of this generation.

“If you empower the next generation, and they choose to take a seat at the table, they will get things done,” she said.

Reflecting on where she is today, Delaughter acknowledges the long path that led her there.

“I really had to work at this – I’m a first-generation college student, and this is not something my family prepared me for or had any expectation for,” she said. “It was all me wanting something better, and I’m proud I was able to actually accomplish certain things.”

For students just beginning their own journey, Delaughter offers sage advice.

“Find your people, your support system, and embrace every opportunity,” she said. “Embrace the experiences and use them to your advantage. Even if you feel like these are invaluable things, I promise you they’re little nuggets that’re going to stick with you.”