The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center has added a familiar face to its Board of Directors, welcoming Attorney Dana. “DC” Matthews II to help guide the nonprofit organization’s mission of healing and preventing childhood trauma across Okaloosa and Walton counties.
- Matthews, a lifelong Northwest Florida resident who was born and raised in Santa Rosa Beach, brings both legal expertise and deep community roots to ECCAC’s leadership team. His appointment comes as the organization continues expanding its reach, having assisted 1,553 children and delivered Safety Matters prevention education to 17,275 students in area schools during 2025 alone.
For Matthews, joining the ECCAC board represents a continuation of the community involvement that has defined his career since returning to the Emerald Coast more than a decade ago.
“I grew up here, moved back, got married, and now my wife and I are raising our two children in this community,” Matthews said. “So, helping children in need in our local area is important to me. I am excited to assist ECCAC in any way I can to further its great cause.”
Matthews’ connection to ECCAC dates back to his law school years at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. During two summer internships with the State Attorney’s Office in Okaloosa County, he gained firsthand exposure to the legal challenges facing children who experience abuse, abandonment or neglect — and witnessed the critical services ECCAC provides to those vulnerable young people.
“With my knowledge of the community and legal background, I am hoping to bring the necessary assistance to ECCAC while serving on the Board, as well as sitting on the Donor Development Committee,” he added.
After graduating from Florida State University and completing his law degree, Matthews returned to Santa Rosa Beach in 2013 to join his father’s law firm. The practice, originally established as Matthews & Jones, LLP in 1983, is now known as Matthews & Matthews, LLP, and stands as one of the largest attorney offices on the Emerald Coast.
- Beyond his legal practice, he has served as president of the Okaloosa County Bar Association, maintains membership in the Walton County Bar Association, and has contributed his time to the boards of Walton County Chamber of Commerce and Walton County’s Small Business Association.
Matthews also serves as a member of the All Sports Association and has spent the past four years on the Board of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. When not practicing law or serving his community, he stays actively involved in his son and daughter’s school sports and activities, and enjoys golf, hunting and fishing.
Julie Porterfield, CEO of ECCAC, expressed enthusiasm about the addition to the organization’s leadership.
“DC brings his significant expertise in so many areas to our Board,” Porterfield said. “We welcome him, he will definitely help us continue our important mission to help children.”
The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center works to heal and prevent the trauma of childhood abuse and neglect by providing advocacy, child-friendly therapies, and a safe environment for children to feel seen, heard and understood.
- The organization operates centers in both Okaloosa and Walton counties, providing services to children and their families at no cost. ECCAC does not house children but instead focuses on therapeutic and advocacy services.
For more information about the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, visit www.eccac.org. To report suspected child abuse, call the anonymous Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.
