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: Community Counseling and Residential Respite.
Residential Respite
Residential Respite offers free, short-term residential services for youth ages 10 to 17. Youth in this program can stay at the Children’s Services campus 24/7 and are provided with lodging, food, enriching activities, individual and family counseling, academic support, and health/wellness services. Most youth stay for an average length of 14 days, and during that time will receive:
- A psychosocial assessment
- Individual, group, and family counseling (geared toward learning more appropriate behavior and how to participate in family life)
- A physical health screening
- Educational support and tutoring services
- Recreational services
- Volunteer work/community service
- Linkages to community services for ongoing support
- Behavioral incentives and recognition opportunities
- 30- and 60-day follow-ups
Youth served
Residential Respite serves youth ages 10 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 Residential Respite is available 24/7 by calling (813) 264-3807, ext. 53159, or by filling out a Children’s Services Referral Form.