DCF Newsroom

Media Guide

Headquarters Communications Staff

1317 Winewood Blvd., Suite 201
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
Office: 850-717-4450 | Fax: 850-922-2993

DaMonica Smith, Director of Communications

DaMonica Smith began her career at the Department of Children and Families in 2009 as a senior clerk in the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. In 2010, she left the Department to pursue an internship with the Executive Office of the Governor (EOG) where she where she was later hired. During her time in the EOG, she worked with several deputy chiefs of staff and assisted with external affairs events and messaging.

Shortly after joining the EOG, DaMonica was offered a position as the External Affairs Coordinator at the Florida Department of Education (DOE). Over the course of three years, DaMonica oversaw logistical management for DOE and EOG education related events, developed marketing materials for statewide initiatives, assisted with social media and media relations.

Most recently, DaMonica served as the Northwest Regional Communications Director covering a 16-county media market from Jefferson to Escambia counties. DaMonica is a graduate of Florida A&M University where she obtained her Master's degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science.

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Aly Coleman, Deputy Director of Communications

Alyssa (Aly) Coleman joined the Florida Department of Children and Families as Deputy Director of Communications in July 2019. Prior to that, she served as Communications Director at Volunteer Florida, the state’s lead agency for promoting national service and volunteerism. During her time there, she worked with the Executive Office of the Governor to secure over $6 million in donations to the Florida Disaster Fund after Hurricane Michael; launch Volunteer Connect, Florida’s official volunteer opportunities platform; and execute a statewide professional clothing donation drive, known as Suits for Session.

In fall 2017, Aly began her career at a Tallahassee-based public relations firm, where she coordinated media coverage for hospitality clients throughout the nation.

Aly graduated with honors from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and public relations.

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Tyler Stirrat, Corporate Communications Coordinator

Tyler Stirrat joined the Department of Children and Families in November 2019 as the Corporate Communications Coordinator. Tyler came to DCF from MCCi, one of Inc. 5000's fastest-growing private companies. During his time at MCCi, he served as the Marketing Coordinator, focusing on social media, email, and webinar marketing.

Tyler graduated Magna Cum Laude from Flagler College with his Bachelor's Degree in Strategic Communication and Marketing. It was during his time at Flagler that he started his career in communications and marketing when he was the Social Media and Digital Marketing Director for a local Tallahassee marketing agency.

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Joseph Edwards, Creative Director

Joseph Edwards joined the Office of Communications in September 2014 as Creative Director, bringing over 25 years of visual arts experience to the management of the department's graphics and video projects.  He previously served on the department's Executive Staff, where he developed the Secretary’s correspondence tracking system and implemented the Governor’s Plain Language Initiative. Prior to joining DCF, he worked at Florida State University as a graphic artist and a graphic design and drawing instructor.  He graduated from Florida State University with a Master of Fine Arts and is a Certified Public Manager.

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Jon Bristow, Webmaster

Shortly after graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University with degrees in Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering in 1997, Jon Bristow left England and began his career in the U.S. working with DCF as a contract programmer on the FLORIDA system that processes eligibility for federal benefits. In 2007, he joined DCF full-time as a report analyst in Information Technology Services before becoming the Webmaster in 2008. When the web team moved into the communications office in January 2012, Jon brought his knowledge, innovative web design techniques and international flair to the agency’s communications team.

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David Taylor, Web Services, Graphic Design and Layout

David Taylor joined the Communications office in January 2012 after serving as an applications programmer for Information Technology Services. David is part of our web services team assisting in the maintenance and development of the department's web presence specializing in web design, layout and graphics, as well as accessibility compliance. He began work at the department in April 2000 and was promoted to his programming position in 2006. He began his state career in 1985 with Agriculture and Consumer Services and moved to the Department of Management Services in 1990.