Friends of Children, Youth and Families, Inc. is a nationally accredited faith based organization dedicated to filling gaps in services to Florida’s troubled children and families. Friends of Children, Inc. has been serving troubled children and families in Florida since 1992. Our services portfolio has included more than 25 different contracted programs providing services to thousands of children and families. Friends of Children currently provides the following services in our offices in District 10 (Broward county) and District 2 (Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Madison, and Wakulla counties):

• Nationally Accredited Direct Services to Children and Families
• Programs that Promote High Youth Achievement
• Community Forums and Summits
• Activities that Engage Families and Everyday Citizens

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NATIONALLY ACCREDITED DIRECT SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Family Preservation Programs (District 10 only)
We offer a number of family strengthening activities aimed at preventing the removal of children from their home due to suspected child abuse and neglect. These programs target families that have suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect, most of whom have been reported to the Florida Child Abuse Hotline. Last year, approximately 110 families with children at risk of child abuse and/or neglect participated in our programs in which:

• 100% do not have any subsequent reports of abuse/neglect
• 86% complete their Family Preservation Plan goals
• 81% report healthier levels of stress associated with parenting

CINS/FINS (Children in Need of Services/Families in Need of Services) - District 10 only
We also operate a program that helps under served minority youth in Broward County access CINS/FINS (Children in Need of Services/Families in Need of Services) services. The program targets youth who are identified as truant, runaways, or ungovernable with the goal of preventing juvenile delinquency. Of the 130 minority youth we served:

• 95% resided in a documented DJJ high risk zip code
• 96% were crime free while in our program
• 92% had no delinquency adjudication 6 months after discharge from our program

Foster Care Group Homes (District 10 only)
Friends of Children has partnered with ChildNet to operate four (4) Long Term Foster Care Group Homes for adolescent youth. Our homes fill gaps in the child welfare system by increasing the availability of safe, caring and supportive homes for older adolescents in foster care, particularly adolescent youth with chronic behaviors problems.

• 80% demonstrated a significant improvement in emotional and behavioral functioning
• 100% participated in formal Independent Living activities prior to discharge

Community and School Based Counseling Services (District 2 & 10)
Friends of Children, Inc. provides mental health and substance abuse services to children who have demonstrated behavioral difficulties at home, in school, and/or in their communities. A significant number of the children we serve meet criteria for Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) or Emotional Disturbance (ED). Last year, nearly 1,000 children and families participated in our community/school based counseling where:

• 85% of persons served are children and families of color
• 80% of children demonstrate a significant increase in their behavioral and emotional functioning
• 85% of families demonstrate a significant increase in family functioning including decreased family stress & improved family communication