Strengthening Florida’s Families

Public Assistance

Our Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency helps promote strong and economically self-sufficient communities by determining eligibility for food, cash, and medical assistance for individuals and families in Florida.

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Popular Links

• Food Assistance Program
• Temporary Cash Assistance
• Medicaid
• Apply for, Maintain, or Check the Status of your Benefits
• See if you Qualify
• Refugee Services
• Homelessness
• Hope Florida

Child & Family Services

The Florida Department of Children and Families is committed to the well-being of children and their families. Our responsibilities encompass a wide-range of services, including – among other things – assistance to families working to stay safely together or be reunited, foster care, youth and young adults transitioning from foster care to independence, adoption.

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Parenting & Child Development

Positive Parenting Tips that Promote Good Behavior in Early Childhood

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Popular Links

• Positive Parenting Guide
• I'm interested in Adoption
• I'm interested in Fostering
• Guardian Assistance Program (GAP)
• Community Based Care
• Child Safety and Prevention
• Recent Audit Findings
• Healthy Teen Relationships (H.E.A.R.T.)

Abuse Services

Find help, resources and report abuse, neglect, domestic violence and human trafficking.

Abuse Hotline

The Florida Abuse Hotline accepts reports 24 hours a day and 7 days a week of known or suspected child abuse, neglect, or abandonment and reports of known or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

Find help for Domestic Violence

• Local Domestic Violence Centers

Human Trafficking

• Report Human Trafficking

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Substance Abuse & Mental Health

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program is responsible for the oversight of a statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse disorders.

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Find Help

• If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call 988 right away.
• If you or someone you know is in need of substance abuse and/or mental health services: Find Local Services by County
• If you or someone you know needs access to crisis counseling services following a natural disaster: Project COPE

Licensing

Licensure information for Child Care, Foster Care, SAMH, Group Home and Emergency Notices and Orders.

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Background Screening

Find statute, regulatory agency, group and individuals subject to screening.

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Youth and Young Adults

The Department of Children and Families recognizes that the transition into adulthood can be tough for young people. For current and former foster youth, it can be even more difficult without an existing support system. The Office of Continuing Care, part of Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity, offers free, one-on-one help for young people who are about to or have recently transitioned out of foster care, aiming to make the leap into adulthood a positive experience. You can reach the Office of Continuing Care at (833) GET-HOPE or (833) 438-4637.

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Popular links:

• Youth in Foster Care: Rights & Expectations
• Extended Foster Care (EFC)
• Postsecondary Education Services and Support
• Postsecondary Tuition and Fee Exemption
• Aftercare Services
• Youth Services Forms and Applications
• Florida Youth Leadership Academy (FYLA)
• Youth Services Statewide Points of Contact

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