Services Offered

The goal of the Family Services Planning Team is to locate and possibly fund community-based services for children under age 18 who have behavioral and emotional problems. The Family Services Planning Team strives to keep children stable in their homes.

Targeted Case Management provides support services so children with behavioral and emotional problems can remain safely in their homes.  A Targeted Case Manager works with the child's caregiver to assess needs, create a service plan, and coordinate and link the client with more in-depth services. These can include individual, family and group counseling; behavior analysis; psychological and psychiatric evaluations; medication monitoring; and mentoring.  If out-of-home placement is appropriate, the child is referred to a variety of programs and agencies that provide more intensive care.  The child's Targeted Case Manager is the primary advocate for his or her mental health needs. 

For more information about Family Services Planning Team or Targeted Case Management, contact Lara Carpenter at (321) 752-3170 ext. 258 or e-mail lara.carpenter@chsfl.org

Coordinates services for children who may have been abused or neglected. We emphasize family relationships and individualized support to preserve the family unit when appropriate. Staff members work to ensure the safety and support of children. Our focus is on securing the most appropriate permanent living situation for each child within 12 months, whether it's reunification with the biological parents, placement with relatives or adoption.

Provide love and nurturing for children who have been removed from their own homes. We offer traditional and medical foster homes to facilitate the best possible life plan for each child, whether it's reunification with the biological family, adoption or transitioning to independence.  We also offer therapeutic foster care for children with mental health issues.

We recruit, train and license traditional foster homes, and we provide 24-hour support. We also license and support medical foster care homes to provide care and medical support for dependent children.

For more information on becoming a foster parent, contact Kim Kohler at (321) 752-3170 ext. 243 or e-mail Kim.Kohler@chsfl.org

We can also provide services to assist with and develop permanent living plans for children in foster care. Specialized services include secondary case management and services related to adoption.  Contact Mary Carpenter at (321) 752-3170 ext 242 or e-mail Mary.Carpenter@chsfl.org for more information.

Hacienda Girls Ranch, a 15-bed facility for girls ages 12-18 in foster care, provides a safe haven for abused, neglected and/or abandoned girls throughout Florida. Hacienda is licensed as an emergency shelter and residential group home for girls who have emotional or behavioral challenges that interfere with traditional foster care placement. As such, we provide emotional support and supervision 24 hours a day. In addition, we offer mental health counseling, remedial education, independent living and vocational opportunities to all children, as well as numerous recreational activities. Our goal is to achieve permanency through reunification with their biological families, placement in foster homes or with adoptive families, or through transition to independence.

For more information about Hacienda Girls Ranch, contact Laura Zamjahn at (321) 752-3170 ext 281 or e-mail laura.zamjahn@chsfl.org.

Healthy Start works to reduce risk factors and improve birth outcomes through assessing needs and providing services to offset risk factors. Participation in the Healthy Start program is not income-based; it is solely based on risk factors present. Healthy Start is a voluntary program, and pregnant women can complete a Healthy Start questionnaire at their doctor’s office. Babies are screened for Healthy Start at birth, and clients can also call to self-refer for services. The Healthy Start program works with pregnant women up to eight weeks post-partum and infants and children up to age 1; the program may extend services to age 3 if a child is very high risk. Healthy Start services include pregnancy and infant care education, smoking cessation for families, referral to free childbirth classes for pregnant women, and developmental screenings for infants.

For more information about Healthy Start, contact Donna Skinner at (321) 752-3170 ext 230 or e-mail donna.skinner@chsfl.org.

Jimmie Smith Cottage Transitional Living Program is apartment-style living for single females between the ages of 18 and 23.  Becoming an adult isn't easy. Being on your own at age 18 takes knowledge, skills, maturity and financial support. Few young adults have the support they need to be successful on their own, yet have no alternative for a safe living environment. Smith Cottage is an affordable option that provides a safety net in a supportive environment while enhancing the skills needed to be independent.  Eligible female participants must be between the ages of 18 and 23 and meet low-income guidelines.  Residents share a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate.  Reasonable rent includes utilities and laundry facilities.  Supportive services include case management, financial planning, educational/vocational planning and life skills training.

For more information, contact Laura Zamjahn at (321) 752-3170 ext. 281.