Services Offered
Adoption of Children from Foster Care
There are hundreds of children in Florida who need loving moms and dads. CHS finds forever families for children permanently removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect and/or abandonment. These children may be older or part of a sibling group.CHS works hard to find parents for children… the guiding force behind each adoption is the child’s best interest. General contact: 321-397-3000
For adoptions in Orange County, e-mail CHSAdopt-Orange@chsfl.org
For adoptions in Seminole County, e-mail CHSAdopt-Seminole@chsfl.org
For adoptions in Osceola County, e-mail CHSAdopt-Osceola@chsfl.org
We invite you to open your heart and your home to become an adoptive parent. Prospective adoptive parents must go through an extensive process called a Home Study. During this process, parents undergo background screenings with police departments and other governmental agencies, physicals, and home health inspections. Reference letters must be received to confirm stable employment and income. While the process may be time-intensive and invasive, it is necessary to ensure these precious children are safely placed with the family best suited to meet their needs.
A Place for Children
Contact: Rosalind Johnson, Program Supervisor
rosalind.johnson@chsfl.org or (407) 836-2108 ext. 3
A Place for Children provides free childcare service to guard children from exposure to the reality of court business. Located within the Orange County Courthouse, the drop-in center is licensed by the Department of Children and Families.
Established in June 1998 with the help of Orange County Circuit Judge Cynthia Mackinnon, A Place for Children protects children ages 1 to 14 from witnessing the emotional situations that occur within courtroom walls.
CARES Program
Contact: Joy Berchen, Clinical Program Supervisor
joy.berchen@chsfl.org or (407) 268-9336 ext.2336
Provides counseling, parenting, budgeting, education, homemaking skills, 24-hour on-call crisis counseling and referrals for families with children at risk of abuse or neglect. (Seminole County Only)
Children in Need of Services/Families in Need of Services
Contact: Martha Fitzpatrick, Program Supervisor
martha.fitzpatrick@chsfl.org or (407) 846-5220 ext. 229
Offers counseling and case management for youth ages 10-16 who are truant, ungovernable or runaway. (Osceola County Only)
Clinical Services
Contact: David Congdon, Program Director
david.congdon@chsfl.org or (407) 896-2323
Provides counseling services in schools, homes and in the office setting, and also in partnership with other human service organizations in Central Florida. Payment for services is through most forms of Medicaid, fees, Family Service Planning Team, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funds and United Way funding. Specializes in providing services for those who otherwise may not be able to find counseling. It treats most diagnoses and has a psychiatrist on staff. A sliding fee scale for services is available (down to $0).
Crisis Nursery
Contact: Rosemary Taurasi, Program Director
rosemary.taurasi@chsfl.org or (407) 522-2288 ext.223
The Crisis Nursery is a 24-hour temporary emergency shelter that provides a safe home for children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect as well as children whose families are in the midst of a crisis and have no other means to care for their children.
Children at the Crisis Nursery may be voluntarily placed there by a parent or, in the case of abuse or neglect, placed under court order. Counseling and case management services are provided on site to help families provide a safe home for their children.
An average of 400 children a year stay at the Crisis Nursery, clearly demonstrating the need in our community for this program. The Crisis Nursery is the only community shelter option in Central Florida.
Dependency Case Management
Contact:
(Orange) Jennifer Patterson, Program Director
jennifer.patterson@chsfl.org or (321) 391-3045
(Osceola) Sandra Dore, Program Director
sandra.dore@chsfl.org or (407) 489-9854
(Seminole) Suzanne Gluhareff, Program Director
suzanne.gluhareff@chsfl.org or (407) 268-9252
Provides assessment, monitoring and supervision, referrals and tracking, reunification planning, and adoption services for children who have been abused and/or neglected. (Referrals from DCF, CBCs and sheriffs' offices only)
Early Head Start
Contact: Kevin Cataldo, Program Director
kevin.cataldo@chsfl.org or (321) 397-5252
Early Head Start is a voluntary, home-based program for infants and toddlers ages birth to 3 in low-income families, pregnant women and their families. We partner with parents, recognizing they are the primary teachers for their children. Program staff helps strengthen the parent-child relationship and assists the family in achieving identified goals through weekly home visits and twice-monthly group socializations.
An individualized and developmentally-centered curriculum allows home visitors to guide families in enhancing the physical health, mental health, and social and emotional well-being of their children. Research demonstrates that home-based early intervention programs strengthen family relationships, reduce the likelihood of abuse, and enhance the overall health and intellectual development children.
Family Connections
Contact: Joy Berchen, Clinical Program Supervisor
joy.berchen@chsfl.org or (407) 268-9336 ext. 2336
Provides assessment, monitoring and supervision, tracking, and family teaming to reduce risk to children and families. (Referrals from sheriffs' offices only after CBC approval)
Family Services Planning Team
Contact: Richard Folger, Coordinator
richard.folger@chsfl.org or (321) 397-3063
Provides mental health services to uninsured and underinsured children with behavioral and emotional problems. The goal is to keep children in their current homes.
Foster Care/Crisis Home Care
Contact: Annette Sims, Program Supervisor
annette.sims@chsfl.org or (407) 522-2288 ext. 222
Each year in Central Florida, more than 9,000 children are unable to safely live at home and sleep in their own beds. Because of abuse, neglect or abandonment, it's no longer safe for these children to live at home, at least for a while ... but sometimes forever. Where do these children go when they can no longer remain safely in their homes?
We invite you to open your heart and your home to become a foster parent. At CHS, there are few steps to complete before becoming a foster parent. First, a potential foster parent must complete the 40-hour MAPP Training (Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting). Potential foster parents must then pass background checks including health records, employment references and criminal background. Once licensed to be a foster parent, you can welcome children into your home. CHS staff provides ongoing support and supervision of all foster children in our care.
Intake and Placement
Contact: Sandra Nonez-Mera, Program Supervisor
sandra.nonezmera@chsfl.org or (407) 268-9301
Provides screening, placement and relative caregiver support of dependent children in appropriate out-of-home settings. (Referrals from Seminole County Sheriff's Office and CBC Seminole Only)
M.O.D.E.L. Mentoring Program
Contact: Marisabel DeCasas, Program Supervisor
marisabel.decasas@chsfl.org or (321) 397-3055
MODEL stands for Mentors Opening Doors Enriching Lives.
The CHS MODEL program is a one-on-one community-based mentoring program for children who have a parent incarcerated in a federal or state prison. Each youth is matched with a volunteer adult mentor who provides guidance and support to help each child develop to his or her fullest potential.
The MODEL Mentoring Program assists mentors and youth in building supportive and fulfilling relationships. Research demonstrates that youth involved in mentoring programs have better attendance in school, have improved family and social relationships, and are less likely to engage in negative activities.
Osceola Family Visitation Center
Contact: Kim Corcoran, Program Supervisor
kim.corcoran@chsfl.org or (407) 846-5077 ext. 232
Offers a safe, supportive, supervised place for foster children to visit with their parents. Transportation provided. Court-ordered services only. (Osceola County)
Perinatal Program
Contact: Jo Howard, Coordinator
jo.howard@chsfl.org or (407) 262-7688 ext. 235
Provides support and parenting education to first-time parents in Seminole County. Participants engage in peer group meetings, parenting classes, social events and one-on-one professional or volunteer support.
The primary purpose of the program is to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of abuse or neglect. The program increases parents’ knowledge of child development and equips them with coping skills to help handle the demands and stresses of child rearing. The Perinatal Program is a voluntary service that encourages the active participation of “high risk” and self-referred first-time parents in Seminole County.
Targeted Case Management
Contact: Susann Prochnow, Program Supervisor
susann.prochnow@chsfl.org or (321) 397-3076
A voluntary program targeting children in need of mental health services. While providing assistance to children and their families, the program strives to keep children in the most appropriate environment while keeping them in their own school. Targeted Case Managers assess the needs of children and families, plan appropriate services, link children and families with community resources, monitor services, and advocate for clients’ needs. Targeted Case Managers visit clients at home, school, day care, etc. In order for a child to be eligible for the program, he or she must have a mental health disability and the need for coordination of mental health services. Children in our Targeted Case Management Program have experienced difficulties at home, school or in the community, and/or have been victims of abuse. Referrals can be made by a guardian, educator or other involved professionals.