County offers nearly 200 'Safe Place' locations for youth in need
Who: Hillsborough County Children's Services
What: Safe Place Week Awareness Event (Not open to the public)
When: 9-11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19
Where: Children's Services Campus, 3152 Clay Mangum Ln., Tampa, FL 33618 (Enter campus from Lincoln Avenue and park in visitors' parking lot. Follow signs to Administration Office.)
Hillsborough County, Fla. (March 18, 2024) - Whether they've had a fight with their parents or are fleeing domestic abuse in the home, kids and teens without a place to go can visit a Safe Place location in Hillsborough County to get assistance.
National Safe Place Week is happening now through March 23 to help raise awareness about the vital program that provides kids, ages 10-17, who are in crisis access to immediate support services. With nearly 200 Safe Place locations throughout Hillsborough County, including fire stations and libraries, kids will see the recognizable yellow and black "Safe Place" sign and know they are in a safe place. If kids have access to a cellphone, they can also text SAFE with their location to 4HELP and within seconds receive a message with the closest Safe Place site and phone number to Children's Services.
The program has been managed by Hillsborough County Children's Services for over 30 years. Staff at Safe Place locations are trained to call Children's Services, which will send a qualified staff member to the location to talk with the youth in need. If necessary, they will provide transportation to the Children's Services campus in Tampa so the child can receive professional support services.
Hillsborough County Children's Services is hosting a Safe Place Awareness Event on March 19 from 9-11 a.m. to commend community partners who make the program possible and provide information to organizations interested in becoming a Safe Place location.
Children's Services wants to raise awareness about the Safe Place Program so both kids and adults know about this vital safety net. To learn more about the program and how to get involved, visit HCFL.gov/SafePlace.