We understand that family is the most fundamental influence on children. Our guiding philosophy is that it is usually best for children to be able to stay with their own families and for families to learn how to handle their own challenges in a healthy, loving way.
*Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2015). The AFCARS report: Preliminary FY 2014 estimates as of July 2015 (22). Center for Law and Social Policy. (2007). Is Kinship Care Good for Kids?
The length of time children may remain in foster care depends on the circumstances that bring a child into foster care as well as the overall progress and strength of the child’s case plan. The Embrace Florida Kids team’s first goal is to reunite children with their families. The first step involves establishing an individualized service plan —a plan encompassing required actions for all parties involved with that child’s care to perform for reunification to occur. These plans ultimately serve as a road map for bringing children back home.
While this may be an emotionally trying time, it’s important to understand that during the first fifteen months a child remains in foster care, states are required by law to work to bring parents and children back together. However, laws and policies governing reunification vary by state.
We served over 600 individuals in Northwest Florida last year.*
*Information based on 2021 census data collected by Embrace Florida Kids.
The Embrace Family Preservation program serves a variety of people seeking to preserve or reunite their families:
The program also provides services in situations where children have been removed from their homes and where, ultimately, reunification with biological parents or other relatives is desired. Our Family Preservation program has more than a 95% success rate.
Our goal is to 1) preserve and reunify families while ensuring the safety of children, 2) help families learn new skills that will help them stay together, and 3) minimize or prevent placement or re-entry into foster care. While each family situation is different and special, some ways in which we help support prevention or reunification might include:
Our family preservation program is managed from our office in Pace, Florida, with support services provided in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties.
“I lost my three kids once, and after finally getting them back, I promised never to lose them again. The FOCUS program at Embrace Florida Kids helped me become not just a better parent but a better role model for my children. Now I’m going back to school and pursuing educational opportunities that will help me support myself, my children, and my family.”
