Imagine if every child in our community had a loving, forever family.  Imagine if all the teens and young adults in need of guidance had a dedicated mentor, and those in financial distress were matched with solid employers.  Imagine if each family on the verge of a crisis found hope and comfort through the support of their neighbors and community. 

At Family Services, we work with our partners to bring our communities closer to this dream.  Family Services is a unique not for profit that creates innovative solutions for improving the lives of central Florida’s most vulnerable children and families.  We believe that with a shared vision for the future we can one day make this dream a reality for central Florida. 

The need:

Central Florida is second in the nation in numbers of abused and neglected children. Because families of these children suffer from four or more major life challenges at once, they need help navigating many complex bureaucracies and a bewildering array of service systems.

Family Services helps by coordinating across systems to get the most vulnerable families the help they need when and where they need it most.  We are funded to serve nearly 10,000 children and their families each year, leaving behind more than 20-percent of those who desperately need our help.

The challenge:

Each year, more than 25,000 allegations of child abuse and neglect are investigated in Central Florida. Many of these children are, if not abused or neglected, deemed at-risk of being abused or neglected. Families of these children typically must cope with four to eight major risk factors, including domestic violence, poor physical or mental health, financial instability, addictions and homelessness.

In order to receive the help they need, families must successfully navigate at least eight state and federal bureaucracies and a confusing maze of county and local resources. The effects of child abuse and neglect cost Central Florida citizens more than $2 million per day.

Our successes:

• More than 95 percent of Family Services revenue is utilized to fund direct services to children and families.
• Since 2004, Family Services has reinvested more than $15 million in services to support families and prevent child abuse and neglect.
• Since 2005, Family Services has increased the number of children adopted annually by more than 40 percent.
• In 2006, Family Services developed the first post-adoption supports program in Florida.
• Since 2006, Family Services has been the only partner with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in Central Florida.
• In 2006, Family Services received the Angels in Adoption Award, nominated by Rep. John Mica.

How you can help:

Visit here to find out how you can help us confront the challenges facing children and families in our community, meet their needs, and achieve our vision to create possibilities for children.