family support programs

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Through Directions for Living’s Families First Division, our programs support families who are already facing significant challenges and moments of crisis. We work alongside parents and caregivers to stabilize situations, build resilience, and provide the tools and support needed to move forward.

Our goal is to help families stay safely together while reducing the need for involvement in more intensive systems, such as foster care, hospitalization, or the justice system. By offering guidance, resources, and compassionate, in-the-moment support, we help create safer, more stable home environments where children and families can begin to heal and thrive.

Free Parenting Support

Our voluntary parenting supports help families with children age 8 and under build strong, healthy relationships with their children through guidance and education.

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Directions for Living’s Family Support Programs are in response to the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), which marks a pivotal moment in child welfare policy – prioritizing prevention and family preservation. This federal legislation allows providers to deliver services that address the root causes of family instability before situations require children to be placed outside the home. By investing in early intervention and supportive services, FFPSA improves outcomes for families while also reducing long-term costs to the child welfare system.

First Five

First Five is an innovative program designed to help early learning centers create trauma-informed classrooms for young children who may be at risk of expulsion. The program supports preschool teachers by providing training, consultation, and practical tools to help them respond to behavioral and emotional challenges that young students may be experiencing.

Grounded in evidence-based practices, First Five focuses on serving children five and under and their families by helping educators respond to disruptive behaviors in the classroom setting and recognize early signs of trauma and adversity.

The program begins with classroom consultation and trauma-informed training for teachers, helping them build skills to support children’s behavioral and emotional needs. Through classroom observation and consultation, First Five team members may identify children who need additional behavioral support.

There are two pathways of support depending on the child’s needs:
• Classroom Consultation – For children identified as experiencing low to moderate challenges, a Classroom Consultant works directly with teachers to develop behavior support plans. Consultants conduct classroom observation and assessments, and provide coaching, modeling, and feedback to help teachers implement effective strategies that support the child in the classroom environment.

• First Five Intervention Team – For children experiencing higher levels of behavioral complexity or who may be at risk of expulsion, the First Five Intervention Team provides more individualized, intensive support. This team of clinicians and behavior specialists conducts additional observations and assessments, and may provide additional services, including support for families in the home.

Interested in First Five?
Contact us to learn more about eligibility.

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Early Childhood Consultation (ECC)

The ECC program supports families with young children by offering guidance, education, and early support during the most important developmental years. We help parents understand what to expect as their child grows, including key developmental milestones, and provide simple, practical tools they can use every day to support their child’s learning and behavior.

Our team works alongside caregivers in a comfortable, supportive way—through in-home visits, small group classes, and community workshops—so families can build confidence and feel more connected to their child. Using the evidence-based Nurturing Parenting approach, we focus on strengthening relationships, encouraging positive parenting practices, and helping children get the best possible start.

Families don’t need to figure it out alone. Based on the child’s needs, Directions for Living’s ECC team will help families choose from the options below to find the right level of support.

In-home Parent Education
Caregivers of children 5 years old and younger participate in 8 to 10 in-home sessions with an Early Childhood Consultant who will be there to discuss family / child-specific challenges, answer questions, offer information and resources, and refer to other services if needed.

Parenting Education Classes
Group Parenting Classes – Caregivers of children 8 years old and younger take 6 two-hour in-person classes, offered on Thursdays from 10am to 12pm and 5pm to 7pm, and on Fridays from 2pm to 4pm. Additional days and times may be available based on need.

Intensive Parenting Classes – Caregivers of children 8 years old and younger participate in 4 to 6 parent-child observations with an Early Childhood Consultant after their completion of Group Parenting Classes.

Interested in ECC?
Contact us to learn more about eligibility.

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Together We Rise

When families are in crisis—especially when they’re involved with Child Protective Services and facing concerns about their children’s safety—extra support can make all the difference.

The Together We Rise program is a 90-day, intensive Wraparound™ approach for families referred by Child Protective Services who have been deemed safe but are at high risk for future concerns. This program is committed to helping children and families remain safely together while building a stronger, more stable foundation for the future.

Through targeted, in-home intervention, the goals are to reduce risk, strengthen family functioning, and prevent out-of-home placement. Using the Wraparound™ model, Together We Rise delivers individualized, strength-based support tailored to each family’s unique goals, needs, and circumstances, empowering them to create lasting stability and success.

The Together We Rise team includes:
• Counselor – providing trauma-informed, behavioral therapeutic services
• Targeted Case Manager – connecting families to resources and support networks
• Peer Recovery Specialist – offering mentorship and encouragement through lived experience
• Integrated Decision Team Facilitator – keeping care connected, consistent, and centered on the family

Interested in Together We Rise?
Contact us to learn more about eligibility.

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Children’s Action Team for Children under 5

When families are in crisis—especially when they’re involved with Child Protective Services and facing concerns about their children’s safety—extra support can make all the difference.

BabyCAT is an intensive, in-home service that supports parents of children ages 0–5 who are at risk of entering, or are already involved with, the child welfare system. BabyCAT accepts referrals from the Child Protective Services for families needing support with mental health or environmental stabilization, helping strengthen protective factors, and ensure child safety.

Using the Wraparound™ model, BabyCAT helps families safely stabilize, strengthen natural supports, and promote healthy growth and development for every member of the family.

The BabyCAT Team includes:
• Counselor – providing trauma-informed, behavioral therapeutic services
• Targeted Case Manager – connecting families to resources and support networks
• Integrated Decision Team Facilitator – keeping care connected, consistent, and centered on the family

Interested in BabyCAT?
Contact us to learn more about eligibility.

Contact us

Family Intensive Treatment (FIT)

When families are in crisis—especially when they’re involved with Child Protective Services and facing concerns about their children’s safety—extra support can make all the difference.

Family Intensive Treatment (FIT) is a 9-month intensive, in-home program that supports parents and their children impacted by substance misuse in safely keeping their children at home or working toward reunification while involved with the child welfare system.

Using the Wraparound™ approach, FIT partners with families to build strong, natural supports, improve long-term outcomes, and reduce the impact of substance use on children, families, and the broader community.

The FIT Team includes:
• Counselor – providing trauma-informed, substance use-focused therapeutic services
• Targeted Case Manager – connecting families to resources and support networks
• Peer Recovery Specialist – offering mentorship and encouragement through lived experience
• Integrated Decision Team Facilitator – keeping care connected, consistent, and centered on the family

Interested in FIT?
Contact us to learn more about eligibility.

Contact us

Psychological testing

Psychological testing is available for children to evaluate a variety of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral concerns. Assessments may include intellectual functioning (IQ), autism spectrum disorder, emotional functioning, and other psychological or developmental needs. These evaluations help provide clarity, diagnosis when appropriate, and recommendations for care and support.

Psychological testing may be covered by your insurance plan. If you do not have coverage, self-pay options are available.

Eligibility Requirements: Ages 4+

To inquire about this service or to make an appointment, call (727) 524-4464.

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concerned about a child’s safety?

If you suspect a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect, reports can be made to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) or through the Florida Department of Children and Families online reporting system.

who qualifies for family support services?

Many of our family programs are accessed through referrals from partner agencies such as child welfare professionals, community providers, or other service organizations. These programs are designed to support families who are already navigating significant challenges or crisis situations and need immediate, meaningful support.

Our team works closely with families and referral partners to provide services that help stabilize the home, strengthen relationships, and reduce the need for involvement in more intensive systems such as foster care, hospitalization, or the justice system.

If you believe your family may benefit from support, you are always welcome to reach out. We can help determine whether one of our programs is the right fit or connect you with other trusted resources in the community.

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“Last December, I found myself in custody of my grandchildren. I had no clue what I was going to do. Then, I found BabyCAT. It’s hard to put into words how amazing the program is. I’m very proud to say that, after several months, the children are doing phenomenal and on their way back home to their mom soon!”

–BabyCAT Client