One of two components to Children’s Services’ Children & Families in Need of Services Program
The Children & Families in Need of Services program is designed to help families with youth who exhibit risk factors that make them more susceptible to becoming involved with the juvenile delinquency or dependency systems. The goal of the program is to reduce juvenile crime while assisting, supporting, and strengthening the youth and families in Hillsborough County. The program has two components: Residential Respite and Community Counseling.
Community Counseling
Community Counseling offers free individual and/or family counseling services with a licensed therapists for families with youth ages 6 to 17. Trained counselors are available to meet for sessions throughout Hillsborough County with flexible daytime and evening hours. Participants will receive:
- A psychosocial assessment
- Individual, group, and family counseling
- Linkages to community services for ongoing support
- 30- and 60-day follow-ups
Youth served
Community Counseling serves youth ages 6 to 17 who reside in Hillsborough County and are experiencing:
- Ungovernable behaviors including truancy, school failures, or non-compliance with parents
- Tobacco, alcohol, or drug abuse
- Anxiety or depression
- Behavioral problems including running away from home, poor peer relations, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, and oppositional defiant behavior
- Grief or loss
- Family issues
- Homelessness
- Domestic violence
- Probation respite
Screening for services
Screening for Community Counseling is available by contacting Lynne Tierney at (813) 264-3808, ext. 53108, or by filling out a Children’s Services Referral Form.