Breaking the Cycle

Children's Home Society of Florida is committed to breaking the tragic generational cycle of abuse for increasing numbers of children and preventing more youth from suffering the tragedies of abuse, neglect or abandonment.

Dependency Case Management

"I know I am not able to meet the needs of my children, and I'm so thankful for the foster parents who have made a difference in their lives...and in mine."

It's a heartbreaking scene. Children physically and mentally delayed because of abuse and neglect, removed from their homes and away from everything they have ever known. Yet, in the wings wait loving relatives and foster parents who embrace these children and stand in the gap for every child who deserves a better life.

Every day, more than 50 dedicated individuals provide support, referrals and a variety of services to children and families to ensure the safe, permanent placement of children. In partnership with Heartland for Children, a local Community Based Care agency, more than 600 children are impacted through these case-management services every year in the Greater Lakeland area.

If you are hoping to welcome a child into your home and provide a forever family, Children's Home Society of Florida is one of the leading adoption providers in the state. Please visit the Adoptions page for more information and contact our Greater Lakeland office to start the process today.

Family Connections- Supervised Visitation

"It was a tea party fit for a princess. At last, father and daughter were able to really connect and start the healing process for this family."

They are families separated by abuse, neglect or other negative circumstances yet, through Family Connections, they reunite to visit and begin rebuilding broken relationships. Family Connections, a supervised visitation program, provides a safe and supportive place for parents to visit their children while supervised by a professional who can guide, support and encourage positive parenting. For parents who pose a risk to their children, or another parent, these court-ordered visitation sessions go far beyond simply seeing a child.

Through the promotion of literacy initiatives, modeled positive parenting and guided support on how to meaningfully contribute to family and community, this program ultimately helps restore and keep children safe.

For more information on the Family Connections program, please contact Shirley McBride at 863-413-3126.

Healing the Pain

For children who have already suffered the pain of physical or sexual abuse, neglect or abandonment, CHS provides safety, shelter, love, guidance and counseling to help these innocent youth work through the tragedies that brought them into our care.

Children's Advocacy Center & Child Protection Team

"Professionals from five different areas all met around one table sharing from their disciplines the best for this child and, ultimately, this family. Teamwork at its best!" - Child Protective Investigator

The Children's Advocacy Center, located in Bartow, is a child-friendly, multi-disciplinary center where child abuse victims and their relatives receive child and family interviews, mental health services, medical services, victim advocacy, and crisis intervention. The Child Protection Team provides services to children and families including investigations of alleged physical and sexual abuse or serious neglect.

Sensitive to the trauma children have experienced, the team provides forensic interviews, in-depth psychosocial assessments, medical exams, case consultation and planning for the Department of Children and Families and local law enforcement agencies.

For questions regarding the Children's Advocacy Center or the Child Protection Team, please contact Linda Kurtzweil at 863-519-3900.

Hansen Center - Residential Group Home

"You and the staff there are the only family that I have ever had in a very long time...I know that with a little hard work, I can do this." - resident at Hansen Center

A home to six teenage girls, the Hansen Center is sometimes the closest thing to a family these girls will ever experience. This residential group home provides care and shelter to girls ages 13 to 17 who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Staffed by caring workers who provide 24-hour awake supervision, the Hansen Center is located on a five-acre campus and includes therapy, case management, behavioral interventions and recreational activities.

For questions regarding the Hansen Center, please contact Carmen Barone at 863-382-0007.

No clients shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Clients needing accommodations for a disability and/or clients with special communications needs should contact their Children’s Home Society of Florida worker or make their request for accommodation at the time of admission into a Children’s Home Society of Florida program.

CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF FLORIDA, REGISTRATION #CH180, IS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE UNDER THE SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.