Friends of Children and Families is excited to announce that we are expanding our services to reach more children and families in Central Florida! For over a decade, we have been providing services to families in crisis with a focus on children in the foster care system. As we continue to provide the highest quality of care to the youth in our group homes, we are expanding our services to provide programming to youth and families identified as at-risk. Friends of Children and Families’ mission is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for at-risk children and their families, and give them the opportunity to develop into well-adjusted and productive members of society. Our new programs will identify families in need and come alongside them to employ strategies for the provision of emotional support, acceptance and personal development.

Over 300,000 children in Florida have at least one incarcerated parent. This program will promote positive behaviors and interactions in the family and social environments, emphasizing the achievement of attainable goals including, increased academic success and reduction of involvement in delinquent or destructive behaviors

Adolescence is often a challenging time for many youth. These weekly groups are targeted toward young people ages 9-18 who are identified as needing help developing self esteem, learning to problem solve, and building healthy relationships. Programming will teach and encourage leadership and social responsibility in youth along with promoting positive social interactions.

This program will offer parents an opportunity to connect and support each other as they learn and practice new parenting skills through activities with each other and their children. Session content includes strategies for effective communication, child development, behavior management, child safety, and injury prevention.   This advocacy program will allow parents to become more engaged in child-serving systems and to advocate for their own child’s success as well as for improved family-centered services.