By: R. Davis
As parents across Miami and nationwide prepare for another school year, Ronald Platt and Joy Read know that for many families, buying backpacks and arranging bus schedules are only a small part of the challenge.
The St. Petersburg residents are the founders of the National Association for Single and Divorced Families (NASDF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping single parents, divorced families and caregivers navigate the emotional, financial and practical realities of raising children. With millions of American households headed by a single parent, the pair believe families deserve a stronger support system that extends well beyond times of crisis.
“Back-to-school season can be exciting, but it can also magnify the challenges many single-parent households face,” said Ronald Platt, CEO and founder of NASDF. “Parents are juggling work schedules, child care, transportation, school supplies, finances and the emotional well-being of their children, all while trying to create stability at home. Our goal is to make sure families know they don’t have to do it alone.”
Platt, a longtime foster parent and advocate for children, has spent years working with families navigating some of life’s most difficult transitions. Together with Read, he founded NASDF to create a national network that connects families with practical resources, trusted professionals and a supportive community.
One of the organization’s guiding philosophies is the Two-Generation (2Gen) approach, an evidence-based framework that recognizes children’s success is closely tied to the well-being of their caregivers.
Rather than focusing solely on children or parents, the 2Gen model supports the entire family by addressing multiple areas that contribute to long-term stability. This includes helping families access quality early childhood education, workforce training and higher education opportunities for parents, peer support and mentoring, physical and mental healthcare, transportation resources, housing assistance and economic support.
“It’s difficult for children to thrive if the adults caring for them are struggling,” said Joy Read. “When you strengthen parents and caregivers, you strengthen the entire family. That’s what makes the 2Gen approach so impactful.”
As families prepare for a new academic year, NASDF encourages parents to think beyond school supply lists and consider the broader factors that contribute to a successful school year.
The organization offers resources and referrals designed to reduce stress and help families build resilience. Some of the highlighted benefits include:
- Free mental health and wellness support for parents and children
- Career development and employment guidance
- Legal and financial resources for divorced and single-parent households
- Early childhood education discounts for enrollment and waived registration fees for various early childhood education centers
- Access to trusted professionals and family-focused benefits
- Discounted real estate services
For Platt, the mission is deeply personal. His experience as a foster parent exposed him to the complex challenges many families face and reinforced the importance of treating every family with dignity while connecting them to meaningful support.
“Families don’t need another organization telling them what they’re doing wrong,” Platt said. “They need people who understand their challenges and can help them find solutions.”
With St. Petersburg serving as home base for the organization’s leadership, NASDF continues to expand its reach nationally while maintaining strong roots in the local community.
As classrooms fill once again this fall, Platt and Read hope more families realize that asking for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
“We want every parent to know they’re not alone,” Read said. “When families have the right resources, children have a better chance to succeed not just in school, but throughout their lives.”
For more information about the National Association for Single and Divorced Families and its programs, visit NASDF.org.
