Program Aspect:
The Emergency Shelter Care Program (ESC) is situated on 33 acres beautiful
acres in northern Hillsborough County, known as the Lake Magdalene campus.
The Program provides emergency shelter to 40 dependent children between the
ages of 6-17 placed by the Community Based Care Lead Agency, Hillsborough
Kids, Inc. (HKI). Placement in the Program is intended to be short term,
pending identification of a more permanent placement by the Lead Agency.
The ESC Program is licensed by the State of Florida Department of Children
and Families based on criteria found in the Florida Administrative Code 65C.
The Program provides 24 hour, 7 day a week awake supervision. A staff-to-child
ratio is maintained at a minimum of 1:6.
The Program accepts male and female children. The children are housed based
on age, gender, and developmental needs. The older male and female children
are housed in a dormitory style facility with a maximum bed capacity of 10
females and 12 males. The younger children are housed in individual family-like
four bedroom cottages/shelter homes. There are two male shelter homes and
one female shelter home, each with a maximum bed capacity of six.
Education:
Although 85% of the ESC children attend neighborhood, community schools,
the Dorothy Thomas Center, a K-12 center-based exceptional education program,
is located on the ESC campus. The school serves community children as well
as ESC children identified with special needs.
Elementary and Middle school age children that are placed in the ESC Program
with unidentified educational needs, are assessed through the Hillsborough
County School System’s Alternative Setting for Special Instruction
of Students in Transition (A.S.S.I.S.T.) Program, and transitioned to the
appropriate school.
Medical Care:
The Department of Children’s Services employs two full time medical
professionals; a Registered Nurse (R.N.) and a Certified Nurse Practitioner
(ARNP) to provide care to the ESC children. Medical staff is on site during
extended business hours and are on-call all other times (24 hour, 7 day-a-week
availability).
Clinical & Counseling Services: (sub-link)
The Department of Children’s Services employs the full time services
of several licensed clinical psychologists, and other clinical staff. The
ESC Program enjoys on-going access to the Clinical Services Program which
includes psychologists and a staff of assessment specialists, Masters level
therapists, and doctorial interns. Two consulting psychiatrists are also
available through the Clinical Services Program. Clinical Services dedicates
two full time Master’s level clinicians to provide therapy to the ESC
children.
A full complement of clinical services is available. In addition to crisis
counseling, the therapists provide; individual therapy, group therapy, recreational
therapy, as well as family therapy to the ESC Program children and their
families. Psychological testing and medication management is also available.
In addition to the therapeutic clinical support, 3 Bachelor’s level
Treatment Counselors are also dedicated to the ESC Program. Each performs
professional duties such as; client intake, social assessments, community
liaison work, supportive counseling, and case management.
The ESC Child Care / Direct Care staff is specially trained to reinforce
the established therapeutic milieu.
Food Service:
The Children’s Services Food Team, which consists of a Chef and four
cooks, serves 200+ meals per day. Meals are served to the 80+ children in
the residential programs, as well as the 120+ day students attending the
Hillsborough County School System’s Dorothy Thomas Exceptional Center,
located on the Lake Magdalene campus. All meals are certified by a licensed
and registered dietitian, and are in full compliance with established USDA
standards. Meals are offered free of charge to all students.
Independent Living:
The GATES (Girls Advancing to Empowerment and Self-sufficiency) is an Independent/Transitional
Living Program that provides an empowering life experience in a stable, safe,
secure living environment for young ladies ages 16-20. The program prepares
participants for adulthood by providing a home-like living environment which
includes; independent living/ life skills, educational opportunities, counseling,
advocacy, and referral and linkage to community resources.
The program structure is designed as a three phase strength based model
that allows the young ladies to grow and develop at their own individual
pace.
Located on the Lake Magdalene campus, the young ladies of the GATES Program
have full access to all of Clinical / Medical services.
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