Office of Community Services
DCF’s Office of Community Services is responsible for building a continuum of care that focuses holistically on Florida Families and ensuring improved long-term outcomes for some of Florida’s most vulnerable children, adults, and families.
A Pathway to Prosperity
Uniting communities through Hope Navigators to guide Floridians on an individualized path to prosperity, economic self-sufficiency and hope.
Spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis and implemented by the Florida Department of Children and Families, Hope Florida utilizes Hope Navigators to guide Floridians on an individualized path to prosperity, economic self-sufficiency and hope by focusing on community collaboration between the private sector, faith-based community, nonprofits and government entities to break down traditional community silos, in an effort to maximize resources and uncover opportunities.
The Office of Domestic Violence is responsible for providing oversight on the administration of state and federally funded initiatives designed to intervene and prevent domestic violence and support survivors and their families.
In collaboration with Florida's network of certified domestic violence service providers and partners, the Florida has established a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to enhancing advocacy and improving the criminal justice system’s response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking crimes.
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.
Florida law requires the reporting of known or suspected abuse, neglect, abandonment, exploitation, or self-neglect of vulnerable adults (elderly or disabled). The Florida Abuse Hotline accepts reports 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. If you suspect or know of a vulnerable adult in immediate danger, call 911.
The Adult Protective Services Program is responsible for preventing further harm to vulnerable adults who are victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation or self-neglect. (Chapter 415, F.S.). These adults may experience abuse, neglect, or exploitation by second parties or may fail to take care of themselves adequately.
The Office oversees policy and funding toward ending homelessness and serving persons experiencing homelessness and recognizes and designates local Continuum of Care (CoC) entities to serve as lead agencies for the homeless assistance system throughout Florida.
Services offered through CoCs and their providers include operation and maintenance of emergency shelters, outreach to individuals who are homeless, rental assistance to prevent individuals from becoming homeless, and rapid rehousing of individuals from shelters or homelessness.
The Florida Abuse Hotline accepts reports 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. If you believe you are a victim of Human Trafficking or suspect a child or an adult is a victim of human trafficking, report it!
It’s Not Knowing the Signs – It’s Knowing the Story.
If you are in foster care currently, view the Independent Living section for Youth and Young Adult centered information including your rights and expectations.
If you’re a youth or young adult in Florida’s child welfare system, we know that you’ve likely been through a lot. Because of this, we want to make sure that you’re in a place – physically, emotionally, and spiritually – where you can recover, grow, and feel the love that you deserve.