The Escambia Children’s Trust has terminated its contract with the New World Believers’ H.O.O.P.S. program, led by embroiled community activist Rodney Jones.
At an emergency meeting held Friday morning, the board voted 5-0 to terminate the agreement with NWB.
Community members joined the meeting and together with other Children’s Trust providers drew nearly a full house. There was also a noticeable law enforcement presence, but there were no NWB representatives.
The Children’s Trust suspended funding for NWB on Jan. 8 after being notified that Rodney Jones, the organization’s executive director, was under investigation by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. He had also been suspended by NWB because of the pending DJJ investigation.
Since then, Jones, 57, was arrested Jan. 22 and charged with sexual battery on a minor. The victim was a member of his youth organization.
During a review of the organization following Jones’s suspension, the Children’s Trust also learned that NWB failed to maintain current background screening documentation on employees, which is a breach of the Children’s Trust’s contract.
Three of Jones’s children—Rodrico Jones, Romeo Jones and Selina Jones—were later arrested for witness tampering after they allegedly attempted to convince the juvenile to recant her statement that she had a sexual relationship with Rodney Jones.
After his father’s NWB suspension, Romeo Jones was named the co-director and H.O.O.P.S. program manager. Rodrico Jones was a mental health counselor for NWB. Selina Jones was not employed with the organization.
During the emergency meeting’s public comments, Corrada Shelby urged the Children’s Trust board to restructure the H.O.O.P.S. program and reallocate the funding.
“We do understand that the allegations against New World Believers are some serious allegations. And yes, we do need to do need to protect the Trust, and yes, we do need to protect the children,” she said.
“…However, I’m standing on behalf of the parents, and on behalf of the community as an advocate. The program is a good program, and just because this incident happened that does not mean that we have to take away the funding from this particular program.”
H.O.O.P.S. fell under the Children’s Trust Mental Health Supports Programming. In October 2023, the program was awarded $1,711,510 to serve 160 11- to 18-year-olds per year for three years.
In its third year, the program has received $901,972 as of Nov. 30, 2025, with $503,801 remaining. The program also surrendered $305,736 in unused funds back to the Children’s Trust.
The Children’s Trust also plans to take possession of two vans purchased for the H.O.O.P.S. using ECT funds.
Board member Tori Woods, who made the motion to terminate the agreement, shared that two other NWB employees were arrested in January 2025 and August 2025.
“These (arrests) were related to child safety and they were not self-reported,” Woods told the Pensacola News Journal after the meeting, adding that was a requirement of the Children’s Trust contract.
Board member David Williams cautioned the board about a rush to judgement and recommended a continuation of NWB’s suspension, with that leading to termination. But Williams said he would support the board’s decision.
Board member Lumon May expressed concerns about the children and families receiving H.O.O.P.S. services. About 169 children were enrolled in the program during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Children’s Trust Executive Director Lindsey Cannon said Youths Left Behind – After-School Peer Empowerment Program, Escambia Connects (a division of Twin Oaks Juvenile Development) and Camp Monarch’s Nonie’s Place program had agreed to provide services to those children.
“We mailed letters to those parents with flyers about the programs yesterday,” Cannon told the News Journal.
H.O.O.P.S. is the acronym for NWB’s Healthy Opportunities and Options to Promote Success program, which is dedicated to helping young people in Escambia County stay out of gangs and the juvenile justice system.
Board member Tina Cain, family well-being director with the Northwest region of the Florida Department of Children and Families, abstained from voting on the measure.
Board members Keith Leonard, Dr. Rex Northup, May, Williams and Woods supported the action. Stephanie White and Judge Tom Williams were not at the meeting.
The decision was voted on at the recommendation of Board Attorney Megan Fry with the termination being effective within 24 hours.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Children’s Trust terminates agreement with Rodney Jones’ nonprofit
Reporting by Mary Lett, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
