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Speak Up for Kids
As a public-to-private partnership, Speak Up for Kids provides vital support to the Guardian ad Litem Program and its volunteer child advocates, enabling them to represent more children. Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County, Inc. is a registered Florida 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization established in 2008 to secure additional financial support to help fund programs and direct services for the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program of the 15th Judicial District.
Learn more and donate at Speak Up for Kids.
Community Partner, Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart, & Shipley, plants a "Pinwheels for Prevention" garden to raise awareness of the needs of our kids.
Dial 211 or go to the Palm Beach County 211 website for help of all kinds, including your questions about available services for children and adults, crisis intervention and financial issues.
The following listings are presented as a convenience and are not directly affiliated with the GAL Program. If your organization would like to be included in the listing, please email us at GALRecruitment15@gal.fl.gov.
Abuse Hotline
Please report any suspected abuse or neglect of children or the elderly to:
1-800-96-ABUSE (800-962-2873).
Abuse-Recognizing Child Abuse & Child Abuse Prevention
One-Child International, www.abusewatch.net or www.onechildinternational.net, (561) 654-8245, info@onechildinternational.net, an informed parent - and community - equals a protected child.
Behavioral
Mobile Crisis Team (561)383-5777 or Glades (561)992-8707 Jerome Golden Center, 1041 45th St, West Palm Beach, FL 33407, (561) 383-8000. Will send trained crisis intervention specialist immediately. Professional staff available 24/7. Assesses, diffuses, refers, and follow-up.
Behavioral
Henderson Behavioral Health offers therapy and family counseling. In office or home based. (561) 649-6500, www.hendersonbh.org
Behavioral
Atkins Tender Loving Care, 1133 W. 10th St. Riviera Bch, 33414, atkinstlc@gmail.com (561)848-6753
Child Care
Visit the Department of Children & Families website for a listing of licensed care facilities. www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/child-care.
Clothes
Kids Kloset, Trinity United Methodist Church, 9625 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33410 (561)622-5278. Provides clothes for kids.
Clothes
Friends of Foster Children, 4100 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33409, (561)352-2540, http://www.friendsoffosterchildren.com offers emergency supplies for children involved in dependency. Provides support programs for all foster and adoptive parents as well as managing relative caregiver funds.
Counseling
Florida Resource Center for Women and Children, PO Box 10596, Riviera Beach, FL 33419, (561)248-4679, http://www.frcwc.org offers emergency shelter, employment assist, anger management workshops, speakers bureau, GED prep, support groups.
Counseling
Chrysalis Center for Mental Health, substance abuse, sexual, child, Palm Beach County (561)752-0400 www.chrysalishealth.com or referrals@chrysalishealth.com, 1-888-587-0335, Option 1
Counseling
Boys Town South Florida, 1655 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, Suite 300, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 612-6000, www.boystown.org/south-florida. Therapy, in-home coordination, mentors, psychiatric evaluation, respite care, medication monitoring.
Domestic Abuse
AVDA - Aid for Victims of Domestic Abuse hotline 1-800-355-8547, PO Box 6161, Delray Beach, FL 33482 www.avdaonline.org emergency shelter, counseling, support groups, legal advocate.
Domestic Violence
One-Child International, www.onechildinternational.net, (561) 654 8245, info@onechildinternational.net, specializes in child abuse and domestic violence prevention, and child protection systems (State run and voluntary).
Drug Abuse
Lambda North Clubhouse, 18 S. J St., Lake Worth, FL 33460 www.lambdanorth.net. Offers support and growth opportunities for a better quality of life for the LGBTQ community, their families, and the communities in which they serve.
Education-Classes
Mandel Public Library of WPB, 411 Clematis St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, www.mycitylibrary.org classes on public speaking, conversation for non-native speakers, writing workshops, 561-868-7700.
Education-Classes
Bridges at West Palm Beach, Units A & B, 811 9th Street (561)804-6754, www.chsfl.org/services/bridges/ provides workshops, help finding resources, library, etc.
Education
Palm Beach State College, 4200 Congress Ave, Lake Worth, FL 33461, 561-967-7222. Early Childcare education www.PalmBeachState.edu .
Education
Triple P - Positive Parenting Program (561) 740-7000 ext 2225.
Education – Guatemala
Preschool, afterschool, in-home supervision - The Guatemalan Maya Center, 430 North G Street, Lake Worth, FL 33460 (561) 547-0085.
Education - Special Needs (ESE, 504, IEP)
Exceptional Student Education, 3300 Forest Hill Blvd, Suite A-203, West Palm Beach FL 33406. Parent services regarding students with special needs https://www.palmbeachschools.org/departments/exceptional_student_education___ese_ or (561)434-8740.
Education
Florida Homeless Education (561)494-1569 offers liaison to bridge between home and school http://www.fldoe.org/policy/federal-edu-programs/title-x-homeless-edu-program-hep.stml.
Education - Special Education Evaluations
Evaluates for special educational needs age birth to 5 years such as hearing, vision, learning, walking, etc. https://www.palmbeachschools.org/ese/prekese/ or (561) 434-8971
Education
Pathways to Prosperity in Boynton Beach, (561) 369-2323 or www.pathwaysboynton.org. Camp, GED, ESOL, tutoring, parent education, etc.
Education
Materials for educators and students. www.resourcedepot.net or (561)882-0090.
Education
Florida Atlantic University Early Childcare Education www.coe.fau.edu (561)297-6594.
Education
Literacy Coalition www.literacypbc.org, (561) 279-9103 provides adults with help reading, GED, and English.
Eviction - Rapid Response Eviction Assistance Project for those facing eviction
Legal Aid of Palm Beach County is prepared to help individuals and families who are facing eviction and homelessness due to COVID-19. Rapid Response Eviction Assistance Project (RREAP) will provide free legal services and rental assistance to eligible tenants in Palm Beach County including:
· Pre-suit mediation between landlord and tenant.
· Legal advice regarding the eviction process.
· Referrals for rental assistance.
· Preparation of responses to an eviction lawsuit.
· Assistance in negotiating repayment plans.
· Court representation.
Visit https://www.legalaidpbc.org
Family Services-DCF
The Department of Children & Families has several programs that can help Florida families. These include ACCESS Florida, Adult Services, Developmental Disabilities and Child Care. http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs.
Food Stamps
The Food stamp Program is managed through ACCESS Florida by the Department of Children & Families: http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/access-florida-food-medical-assistance-cash.
Grandparents
Monthly workshops throughout county to learn and meet others raising grandkids. www.grandsprogram.com .
Grandparents
Friends of Foster Children, 4100 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33409, (561)352-2540, https://www.friendsoffosterchildren.com. Offers emergency supplies for children involved in dependency. Provides support programs for all foster and adoptive parents as well as managing relative caregiver funds.
Grief
Children's Healing Institute http://www.childrenshealinginstitute.org. A community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children reach their full potential by preventing child abuse, promoting children’s health and strengthening families. Offers grief counseling.
Grief
www.newyorklife.com/foundation/bereavement-support. New York Life Foundation website list of State support services; book lists, articles, materials to order, links to other organizations.
Grief
www.Centering.org books for children and adults or 866-218-0101.
Health
Health Choice Network of Florida linking people to services www.HCNetwork.orgor 305-599-1015.
Health
Palm Beach County Medical Society Project Reach Out to find programs you’re eligible for (561)433-3940, www.pbcms.org
Housing/Homeless Help
There are community resources that may be helpful. Each is designed to help people stabilize their living situation. The first place to contact is the Lewis Center. They do all the assessments and then refer out. Also, dialing 2-1-1 will get you in touch with resources in the area including food pantries.
The Lewis Center (on 45th Ave.): https://www.homelesscoalitionpbc.org. The HOT Team will conduct assessments at the Lewis Center. You must request an assessment referral number by going to the Navigation Center at The Lord’s Place - Café Joshua, 2808 N. Australian Ave, West Palm Beach. The telephone number is (561)494-0125. You may also call the Lewis Center at (561) 904-7900. The Homeless Outreach Team will be traveling to various locations in Palm Beach County Monday through Friday, offering services and conducting on site assessments. The Senator Phillip D. Lewis Center 1000 45th Street, West Palm Beach FL 33407
· The Lord’s Place: https://www.thelordsplace.org/what-we-do
· Salvation Army, Martha Dyett, 561-686-3530 – one time rent assistance – requires documentation
· Catholic Charities, 561-360-3323 or 561-775-9560 – sometimes can help with utilities
· Adopt-a-Family, http://www.adoptafamilypbc.org/, 561-253-1361
· Family Promise of North Central Palm Beach County https://www.familypromisencpbc.org, 561-318-8864
· Family Promise of South Palm Beach County https://www.familypromisespbc.org, 561-265-3370
· If Veteran: https://www.va.gov/homeless/for_homeless_veterans.asp
· Student Intervention Services (special services if school aged kids), Judith McInnes, 561-494-1598
Legal
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, www.legalaidpbc.org , 561-655-8944.
Mental Health
Hanley Foundation, 700 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 103, West Palm Beach. Provides substance abuse prevention & education programs for parents, caregivers & school age children. https://hanleyfoundation.org(561) 841-1122
Mentor-Teens
Provides 2 year mentor for kids age 16 ½ to 18 in foster care. Children’s Home Society of South Florida, project 18 Mentoring, 3333 Forest Hill Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (561) 868-4300, www.chsfl.org
Museum
Schoolhouse Children’s Museum & Learning Center, 129 East Ocean Ave., Boynton Bch, FL 33435, (561) 742-6780, info@schoolhousemuseum.org. Exhibits and educational programs.
Public Service Announcements
Palm Beach County Public Safety-Emergency Management, www.discover.pbcgov.org, (561)712-6400.
Poison
Florida Poison Control Centers, http://floridapoisoncontrol.org (800)222-1222.
Rape
Palm Beach County Victims Services Certified Rape Crisis Center, Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), 24 hour helpline 561-833-7273 or 1-866-891-7273 Has licensed therapists for assessment and treat for child victims of crime http://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/victimservices/Pages/default.aspx
Shelter
Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, 4101 Parker Ave. WPB, FL 33405 (561)616-1222 www.ctrfam.org short-term emergency housing, food, clothing, transportation, employment assist, early childhood education, counseling.
Sports
Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Riviera Beach, 1621 W Blue Heron Blvd, Riviera Beach, FL, www.rivierabch.com, 561-845-4070
Sports
Police Athletic League, 720 N. Tamarind Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL, 561-835-7195
Summer Camps
Camp Boggy Creek - Year-round camp for children with illnesses. Started by Paul Newman and located at 30500 Brantley Branch Rd, Eustis, FL, www.boggycreek.org 352-483-4200
Utility Assistance
Palm Beach County Community Services offers utility assistance for those in need. https://discover.pbcgov.org/communityservices/Pages/default.aspx
HELPLINE NUMBERS – Palm Beach County & Treasure Coast
· Community/Crisis Hotline 211
· Animal Care & Control 561-233-1200
· American Red Cross 561-833-7711
· Code Enforcement 561-233-5500
· Consumer Affairs 561-712-6600
· Consumer Assistance Hotline 800-227-8676 or 877-693-5236
· Contractors Certification 561-233-5525
· Engineering & Public Works 561-684-4000
· FEMA 800-621-3362
· Fire-Rescue (Non-Emergency) 561-616-7000 or 561-804-4700
· FPL Power Outages 561-697-8000
· Health Department- 561-840-4500
· Insurance Commissioner 877-693-5236
· Palm Tran 561-841-4200
· Parks and Recreation 561-966-6600
· Price Gouging Hotline 866-966-7226
· Public Affairs Department 561-355-2754
· Roads, Drainage, Traffic 561-684-4012
· Salvation Army 561-686-3530
· Sheriff (PBSO) Non-Emergency 561-688-3000
· Solid Waste Authority 561-640-4000
· South Florida Water Management 561-686-8800
· TDD (Hearing/Impaired) 561-712-6343
· Traffic Signal Repair 561-683-6885
· United Way of Palm Beach County 561-375-6600
· Water Utilities- 561-493-6000 or 561-740-4600 (Option 1)
The above listing is presented as a convenience and is not directly affiliated with the GAL Program. If your organization would like to be included in the listing, please email us at GALRecruitment15@gal.fl.gov
See past editions of The Advocate by clicking on the DOWNLOAD button.
The Value of the GAL Program.
Why Guardians ad Litem (GAL), also called Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), are so important in a child's life..
Many people ask how they can get involved. Hear about becoming a Guardian at Litem, and find how, with as little as five hours a month, you can make a lifelong impact on the life of a local foster child.
Guardian Ad Litem Southern Regional Director Kristen Solomon describes the GAL program to host Craig Stephens. The need for child advocates is greater than ever for children that are victims of abuse or neglect. The volunteers act as voices for kids that are moving through the court system.