USF Child Protection Team (CPT): Each year, thousands of children throughout Hillsborough County begin the healing process by undergoing physical and sexual abuse exams to determine maltreatment. The use of state-of-the-art medical equipment helps to decrease the invasiveness of procedures, and recommendations are made for interventions to protect children based on a variety of factors. Family history and triggers which may lead to child abuse and neglect are discussed with the Child Protection Team during social assessments of families which assess risk.

Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC): The Children’s Advocacy Center is a 13th Judicial Circuit Administrative Office of the Courts program which reduces trauma to child victims by decreasing how often they must repeat their story, and by ensuring that children do not have to face their alleged perpetrator in court. Services include live, closed-circuit testimony, recorded forensic interviews and depositions, as well as training, support, and education to law enforcement, professionals in human service, the community, and the families of child victims.

Corbett Trauma Center (CTC): Even when abuse stops, trauma can continue for a lifetime if a child does not receive counseling. The Corbett Trauma Center, a division of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, provides support for children and families who experience traumatic events and helps them begin their journey to healing. Experienced, caring and compassionate counselors are dedicated to helping children and their family members heal from their trauma through evidence-based treatment and nationally recognized counseling programs.

Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County (HSC): The Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County improves the health and well-being of pregnant women, children and families through the following programs: Healthy Start; Healthy Families; Safe Baby; Safe Baby Plus; Fetal Infant Mortality Review; Adolescent & Teen Health; Woman & Infant Resource Specialist at WIC; Plan of Safe Care; HealthySteps; and Nurse-Family Partnership. Services include prenatal education and support, family enrichment activities, health and safety information, referrals for resources, access to insurance during pregnancy, and parenting guidance.

Success 4 Kids & Families (S4KF): Success 4 Kids & Families helps more than 5,000 children and their families in Hillsborough County by providing low-cost and no-cost family-centric services. Success 4 Kids & Families supports families who have a child dealing with behavioral, emotional or mental health challenges, as well as more than 16,000 pregnant woman and their families through their partnership with Healthy Start.

Voices for Children of Tampa Bay: Voices for Children of Tampa Bay provides support and advocacy for the abused, abandoned and neglected children in our community. When children are in the dependency court system, we help make their lives a little easier as they navigate through the court system and foster care. We choose to accomplish this mission by supporting the Guardian ad Litem Program of Hillsborough County. One of Voices for Children’s primary programs is their Courthouse Facility Dog Program, featuring Courthouse Facility Dogs Lorne and Barley. Lorne and Barley help to provide emotional support for traumatized children during stressful and difficult situations. This program has helped countless organizations, including Mary Lee’s House, by comforting victims as they relive their trauma.