From Deputy to Driving Force in Assisted Living Florida: How Carline Cadet Francois Turned a Lifetime of Service into a Movement Transforming Senior Care

Long before she became a force in Florida’s assisted-living world, Carline Cadet Francois was the steady calm behind the flashing lights of Broward County. As a Deputy with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, she spent nearly a decade navigating the split-second moments that define duty and sprinting toward emergencies, de-escalating chaos, and carrying the weight of responsibility while her own children waited for her at home.

She was the one families prayed would show up: composed, resilient, and unshakeable.

But every siren, every late-night call, every crisis that demanded bravery over bedtime stories left her with a question she could no longer ignore: Was there a way to keep serving without sacrificing the moments that mattered most?

That search for balance and for purpose became the spark that redirected her entire life. Her transition from law enforcement to real estate investing was unexpected, but not uncharacteristic. She had always followed her instincts, the ones sharpened in uniform and nurtured long before that. It wasn’t the badge that taught her compassion; it was her grandmother.

Even routine shopping trips revealed who she truly was. She’d pause to help seniors, share a kind word, or simply brighten their day. She didn’t realize she was doing it. Her husband did.

“You were supposed to be home,” she remembers telling herself every time duty called. “That’s what pushed me to retire so early.”

Her husband saw something she couldn’t yet name.

“You’d be incredible in senior care,” he insisted, and he was right.

What started as turning one of their own properties into an assisted-living home became her new chapter and one she learned from the ground up, one that felt less like a business and more like a calling.

Today, when Carline isn’t dancing, reading, or relaxing on the beach, she’s the powerhouse behind Florida Assisted Living Consulting (FALC) — a guiding light for aspiring owners, active operators, and caregivers determined to raise the bar in senior care.

Entering the industry, she quickly discovered how guarded it was.

“I had no idea it was such a tight-lipped space,” she said. “I knew I had to change that.”

So, she did.

Instead of gatekeeping knowledge, she opened the doors: 

– She wrote a book. 

– She launched online courses. 

– She hosted meetups and mastermind events. 

– She built a system that simplified the path for others.

FALC now serves as a statewide launchpad helping leaders navigate licensing, compliance, operations, marketing, staffing, scaling, and strategy with confidence. Hundreds have sharpened their skills, expanded their facilities, or launched entirely new careers through her coaching and consulting.

“I stepped in and listened to people,” said Cadet Francois. “That’s how it grew. People needed guidance, and I wanted caregiving and assisted living to be more.”

Her desire to unify and uplift the industry led her to create ALFCaregiverCon — the Florida Assisted Living & Caregivers Conference. She imagined an intimate gathering of maybe 250 people. Instead, she got a phenomenon.

Word spread, and the event sold out. Attendees showed up hungry to learn, connect, and feel supported in a profession that often operates in the shadows. What unfolded felt less like a conference and more like a breakthrough.

“I wanted them to leave with real resources,” she said. “A new friend, a new partner, a new solution — something that truly helps them.”

Some walked away with business partners, and some found mentors. People even purchased assisted-living properties through connections they made in the room. But when the final panel wrapped, Carline wasn’t done.

To keep the momentum going, she created the Thriving Circle Community, a private space where caregivers and professionals stay connected, share opportunities, exchange advice, and support one another long after the conference lights dim.

She continues to guide members personally — helping them map out strategies, strengthen their operations, and stay encouraged in a demanding field.

Her journey, blending law enforcement courage with caregiving compassion, resonated far beyond Florida. She became a featured voice in Powerful Female Immigrants: Who Inspire Greatness, a best-selling book celebrating women who transform communities through resilience and purpose.

It ties together every chapter of her life from Deputy, caregiver, consultant, and visionary into a story rooted in service.

Carline Cadet Francois is planning the next ALFCaregiverCo; a two-day conference set for January 23–24, 2026, along with year-round education, masterminds, and industry training programs.

“To me, it all comes down to helping as many people as you can,” said Cadet Francois. “That’s been true since my days at the Sheriff’s Office, and it’s still true now.”

FloridaAssistedLivingConsulting.com