Family & Neighborhood Supports

The Children’s Trust understands the challenges some families face in Miami-Dade communities go well beyond everyday problems, and we are committed to helping them realize their full potential through even the hardest of times. In these cases, The Children’s Trust’s Family and Neighborhood Support Partnerships (FNSP) initiative provides a lifeline to those who need it most by working with organizations that offer an array of participant-centered services that engage parents and youth as partners to build on their strengths, address life challenges, and provide individualized support.

The FNSP initiative is one of the most deep-end, intervention focused investments of The Children’s Trust. The Trust’s theory of change seeks to amplify strengths and build resilience to counter the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as child abuse or neglect, exposure to family and community trauma and violence, family mental health issues, legal issues, and extreme poverty.

The Children's Trust funds 22 programs throughout Miami-Dade County, all programs provide core services designed to stabilize child and family environments:

• Screening and assessment
• Care coordination
• Family stabilization funds

Some programs also offer additional services to meet the specific needs of different groups, including:

• Academic support
• Behavioral, mental health or parent-child relationship support
• Legal services and education
• Life skills support
• Vocational training and support

These programs are staffed by teams including management, clinical staff, paraprofessionals, and success coaches. These teams help families navigate systems and support connecting them to the social services, therapies, beneficial programs as well as essential emergency need items and funds. Families and youth develop success plans and are supported by the care coordinators called success coaches and peer-level staff known as natural helpers.

Families who need care coordination services can use the find a program feature or call the Trust-funded 211 Helpline.

FNSP funds serve children and youth residing in neighborhoods affected by poverty, crime, unemployment, community violence and trauma. It also serves countywide populations with specific needs and challenging life experiences, as described below.

Children & Youth in High-Need Neighborhoods

FNSPs offer tailored support for families living in high-need neighborhoods. Whether it's accessing resources, overcoming challenges, or setting and achieving goals, the program’s dedicated teams are here to help your family thrive.

Children & Youth Experiencing Trauma, Violence or Family Disruption

FNSPs provide support to families affected by housing instability, incarcerated parents, family conflict or domestic violence, or youth with a history of abuse or child welfare placement. These programs offer personalized assistance to help families heal and move forward.

Youth Experiencing Immigration Challenges or in Need of Legal Advocacy

FNSPs provide services for youth experiencing immigration challenges or in need of legal advocacy. FNSPs provide knowledgeable and compassionate support and guidance by offering resources and assistance to help navigate the complexities of immigration and legal issues.

Families Living with Significant Disabilities

FNSPs provide personalized services to families who have a child or parent living with significant disabilities. The programs offer resources and advocacy, and a caring community to help families thrive. This includes support for youth who have not attained a standard high school diploma and who continue attending classes guided by an IEP through age 21.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth

This FNSP provides a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ youth to get support, resources and acceptance to help them navigate their journey with confidence and pride.