Florida National Guard, Family Assistance Centers

*Eight Family Assistance Centers around Florida offer practical assistance and emotional support for families and/or persons in the Florida National Guard or any branch of the military; including veterans *Services include sessions to help prepare for deployment, establishing a family care plan, relocation assistance, financial planning, explaining health benefits, and information and referrals to government and other agencies that interact with the military on family and quality of life issues *Emergency financial assistance when funds are available, most often granted to spouses of deployed service members for unexpected emergencies *Gold Star Program for families who have lost a loved one during active duty, provides emotional support and referrals to support groups, spiritual resources, bereavement and financial counselors, along with guidance to additional survivor resources

Services: Bereavement and Grief Counseling, Emergency Funds, General Bereavement and Grief Support Groups, Military Family Service/Support Centers, Social Services for Military Personnel, Veteran Benefits Assistance, Veteran/Military Health Insurance

Florida National Guard, Youth ChalleNGe Academy

*Program for male and female teens, age 16-18, who are behind in school credits, dropouts or expellees who have no felony convictions *5 1/2 month residential phase: Takes place in a highly disciplined and motivational environment promoting structure and academics along with leadership, health, community service, life skills, job skills, physical fitness and citizenship *Post residential phase of one year: uses learned skillls through placement in a job, further education or the military *Matched with a mentor to guide him/her through both phases *Eligibility:16-18 years old, citizen or legal resident of US, Florida resident, no felony convictions or open charges; CAN be on probation *Free of illegal drugs, physically and mentally capable of completing the program *Program start every 6 months in January and July *Space is limited; apply early

Services: Dropout Programs, Juvenile Delinquency Prevention, Residential Mental Health Treatment Facilities, Supervised Living for Older Youth, Youth Enrichment Programs

Florida Network of Youth and Family Services

*Statewide agency provides information and referrals for both children/teens (6-17) and/or parents who are in crisis; agency does NOT provide direct services to callers *Serves as information and referral resource for CINS/FINS (Children in Need of Services/Families in Need of Services) and other agencies for families with a child persistently beyond the reasonable and lawful control of parents or guardians *Refers homeless, runaway, truant and at risk youth to shelters, respite care, and other helping agencies *Website has important information related to parents and youth in crisis: Parent Options (legal and otherwise) for ungovernable children, and legal rights for youth *Advocates for agencies who serve troubled youth providing training, quality improvement, contract management, data collection, research, and advocacy

Services: Family Preservation Programs, Juvenile Delinquency Prevention, Parenting Skills Classes, Runaway/Homeless Youth Counseling, Runaway/Homeless Youth Helplines, Truancy Counseling

Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Inc

*Residential facilities for abused, neglected, or emotionally troubled children, ages 8-18, meeting criteria *Public schooling or alternative educational program available *Four residential centers: Live Oak (boys), Bartow (girls), Safety Harbor (boys and girls), Youth Ranch, Bradenton/Sarasota *Two summer camps for boys and girls ages 10-15 in Barberville, Inglis *Call toll-free number for information and to be transferred to any location

Services: Camps, Group Homes for Dependent Children, Juvenile Delinquency Prevention

Florida State Elks Assn, Therapy/Camps/Scholarships

*Non-profit fraternal organization for fellowship and social service providing therapy, scholarships, and summer camps for children *Mobile units provide free in-home physical or occupational therapy for Florida children, birth to 18 years of age, meeting eligibility criteria *Scholarships offered to college students demonstrating leadership through participation in school activities, community service and citizenship programs; students sometimes work to help out their families financially *Summer camp located in Marion County open to all children, 9-13, small fee; last week for children of military and veteran parents; paid youth counselors earn scholarships after several years of work

Services: Camps, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Scholarships

Florida Telecommunications Relay Service, 7-1-1

*Communications link for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind, or Speech Disabled *For Big Bend area, FTRI will refer persons to FTRI, 1820 E Park Ave, Ste 101, Tallahassee, 32301 or Ability 1st, 1823 Buford Ct, Tallahassee, 32308 to pick up telephone equipment: volume control telephones that amplify, TTY's, Braille TTY's, voice carry over phones, Large Visual Display, audible ring signalers, visual ring signalers *Ability 1st, 1823 Buford Ct, Tallahassee, 32308 is very close to Capital Regional Memorial Center and on a bus line *For repair or replacement, contact, FTRI, customer care *Various numbers used for disability-related equipment that communicates with standard equipment *Customer Profile/Relay enables Sprint to speed up calling; call Customer Service

Services: Hearing Augmentation Aids, Telecommunication Relay Services, Visual/Reading Aids

Florida UM Children's Home, Madison Youth Ranch

*Two campuses, operated by the Florida United Methodist Church, in Pinetta (Madison County) and Enterprise (Volusia County) *Residential home for school-age children victims of abuse or neglect, caught in family crises or dysfunction, families unable to care for them for many reasons, or abandoned *Independent living program for resident or foster care youth transitioning towards success living on their own *Foster care recruitment, training and case management

Services: Foster Home Placement, Foster Parent/Family Recruitment, Group Homes for Dependent Children

Florida Wild Mammal Association, Inc

*Dedicated to rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife and education of public on wildlife issues *Volunteers 16 years old and over are welcome, preferably with a consistent availability for scheduling

Services: Animal Rescue, Volunteer Opportunities, Wildlife Conservation

Florida Youth Council, The

*Group of youth and emerging leaders (15-30 years old) with disabilities or special health care needs *Peer groups geared toward getting young people involved in self-advocacy, peer mentoring, and other activities *Offers leadership and participation opportunities for youth, including an Annual Youth Summit, an electronic and print newsletter, and social networking

Services: Home/Community Based Developmental Disabilities Programs, Leadership Development, Peer Counseling

Franklin County Humane Society

*Programs to provide care for stray and abandoned animals, including Lost and Found, Humane Education, Animal Behavior and Training Advice, and Pet Adoptions (adopted animals are spayed or neutered and up to date on their vaccinations) *After hours voicemail has message on how to reach animal control if needed *Volunteers needed for numerous activities

Services: Animal Shelters, Volunteer Opportunities