Danielle Hughes

Danielle M. Hughes, B.S.

CPT Team Coordinator
P.A.W.S. Program Coordinator
Child Protection Center, Inc.

With over two decades of unwavering dedication to child advocacy, Danielle Hughes has become a cornerstone of child abuse intervention in Florida. As Team Coordinator of the Child Protection Team at the Child Protection Center (CPC), she leads the only state-authorized provider of child abuse intervention services in Sarasota and DeSoto Counties — ensuring that the region’s most vulnerable children receive expert care and protection.

Danielle’s impact transcends her title. She is the visionary founder of the PAWS Program (Pet Advocates Working in the Suncoast), a groundbreaking initiative that integrates animal-assisted support with child abuse investigations. By blending her passion for animals with her deep understanding of child abuse, Danielle has created a model that is both compassionate and innovative.

Her leadership has earned her appointments to several critical multidisciplinary teams. In 2020, Danielle made history as the first CPC employee to be named “Child Advocate of the Year,” and she was later honored as Employee of the Year for 2022–2023—recognitions that reflect both her professional excellence and her deeply personal commitment to the children she serves.

Danielle Hughes is more than an advocate—she is a force for change, a mentor to her peers, and a beacon of hope for families navigating the darkest moments of their lives.