Recent grants support Safe Children Coalition programs

Thanks to four funders, Safe Children Coalition has recently received support for various programs totaling $31,000. The funders and programs supported are: Selfless Love Foundation, $13,000 for adoptions; Cook Family Foundation, $10,000 for the HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) program; Church of the Redeemer, $5,500 to support foster families; and Michael Saunders & Company Foundation, $2,500 for Schoolhouse Link.

As the lead community-based care agency for Florida’s Department of Children and Families for Florida’s Circuit 12 (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties), Safe Children Coalition provides the training necessary for families to adopt as well as ongoing support for adoptive families. In FY24, 142 children, from infants to teens, found their forever homes through SCC's Adoption Program.

In FY2024, more than 1,500 children throughout Circuit 12 were served in licensed foster care and out-of-home care placements. Foster homes provide abused or neglected children with stability and a place to heal until they can safely return to their parent(s). Foster family support helps families financially by supporting needs such as babysitting, household goods, car seats, small home repairs, and more – anything that might be a barrier to the continued care of a foster child. The Church of the Redeemer grant funding was raised through its Episcopal Thrift House.

For homeless families or displaced teens who are on their own, Safe Children Coalition’s Schoolhouse Link program serves as protector, support system and advocate. Schoolhouse Link is contracted by the Sarasota County School Board, serving as the school district’s “homeless liaison.” In the current school year, nearly 300 students are being served through the Schoolhouse Link program.

HIPPY is a home-based, family-focused program that helps parents provide educational enrichment for their preschool-aged child(ren). The program, which is designed to remove barriers to participation in education, supports parents who may not feel sufficiently confident to prepare their children for school. HIPPY's primary goal is to ensure children are kindergarten-ready, offering the greatest possibility that they will succeed in school and, ultimately, in life. In the 2023-2024 school year, 125 children were served through the HIPPY program.

“We’re thankful for the critical support of our prevention and diversion programs from generous foundations and individuals concerned with protecting children and giving them a fair shot at a happy, healthy and successful life – despite the challenges they’ve experienced,” said Safe Children Coalition President & CEO Brena Slater. “We are immensely grateful to the Selfless Love Foundation, Cook Family Foundation, Michael Saunders & Company Foundation, and Church of the Redeemer for their ongoing support for our work on behalf of our community’s families and children.”

For more about SCC’s programs to strengthen families and protect children, visit sccfl.org.

About Safe Children Coalition
Safe Children Coalition, Inc. (SCC) serves as the lead agency for community-based care for Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. SCC is a collaboration between local community agencies who provide services to children and families in need. SCC is committed to protecting children, strengthening families, and building community. The core functions provided by SCC include child welfare case management, foster care, adoption, independent living, prevention, diversion, quality management, and support services. Visit sccfl.org or call 941-371-4799.