Residential & Supportive Services
Shelter Services
Covenant House Florida (CHF) provides shelter services for young people, ages 18-22 years old, experiencing homelessness, including pregnant or parenting young people and their children or babies at the Fort Lauderdale shelter. CHF’s shelter offers a Safe Haven for young people and meets their immediate needs of food, shelter, medical attention, and a warm, safe bed of their own to sleep in at night. CHF provides trauma-informed, youth positive, and strength-based services. CHF team members build caring relationships with young people based on trust, respect, and honesty, fostering a healthy environment for young people to thrive. CHF’s purpose is to help youth experiencing homelessness gain stability and independence.
Mental Health Services
Most young people experiencing homelessness have a history of trauma and neglect that leave them feeling hopeless with little to no options. As a result, they often face mental health challenges ranging from depression to drug addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. Our clinical services team is comprised of Licensed Clinicians experienced in trauma-informed care, providing a variety of treatment services for our youth.
Individual Counseling: Every young person who comes to us is met with care and understanding. We begin with a comprehensive assessment to fully understand their unique needs, followed by a personalized weekly action plan to guide their journey. After this initial step, they start receiving evidence-based behavioral health therapy, including CBT, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Solution-Focused Treatment, and Strength-Based approaches. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive space where they can begin to heal from past trauma, build coping skills and work toward independence and emotional well-being.
Group Counseling: Our Group Counseling sessions provide a supportive environment where youth can openly share their experiences, struggles and feelings with one another. In this safe space, they are encouraged to talk about their personal challenges, knowing they are not alone.
Family Therapy: When family reunification is a possible housing goal, we provide tailored interventions and support to both youth and their families. These sessions are designed to help families strengthen their relationships by developing healthier coping strategies, managing stress, and addressing unresolved grief and loss. Through this process, families are empowered to better understand one another, heal together and create a stronger foundation for the youth's well-being and long-term success.
Medical Health
Covenant House Florida provides medical health services at our
on-site health clinic, to recognize and respond to the actual and potential health and medical problems of young people experiencing homelessness. The Health Services Department is staffed by a
Registered Nurse and operates to ensure each young person receives a physical examination/health assessment within 72 hours of intake. The Health Services Department conducts
health and substance abuse assessments, physical examinations, HIV testing, pregnancy testing, HIV/STD counseling, pre- and post-natal care, and referrals to other health care providers.
Parenting Education
Support Program
Covenant House Florida's Parenting Educator is on-site five days a week to serve pregnant and parenting youth and their children. Utilizing the FSU Partners for Healthy Babies and the Circle of Security curriculums, the Parenting Educator explores topics with a trauma-informed care approach. Topics include prenatal health and development, childbirth and post-partum care, infant feeding and breastfeeding, child developmental milestones, healthy attachment styles women’s health, and adoption counseling.
Workforce Development
Covenant House Florida Workforce Development program is designed to help young people increase their employability skills, obtain and maintain employment. The Workforce Development program provides instruction on interviewing, resume building, communication, time management, and professionalism. Optional courses include job search/networking, work ethic, and career pathways.
Education Services
Covenant House Florida Career and Education Navigation department provides young people the opportunity increase their educational credentials and explore career paths of interest. The department assists with GED obtainment, provides tutoring and mentoring, covers testing fees, and access to computers. Beyond GED testing, the Department helps young people discover career paths of interest and maps out achievable steps to obtain their goals. CHF helps young people explore a variety of post-secondary education options, from a traditional two to four-year degree, to certification programs. The Department hosts celebrations throughout the year to recognize our young people’s accomplishments and support them on their endeavors.
The Independent Living program provides instruction on critical life skills that are essential to living independently. Most young people were living in a constant state of survival mode prior to coming to CHF, focusing on the skills to keep them alive. CHF provides the opportunity for young people to think about and plan for the future. The Independent Living program covers topics like Budgeting & Banking, Employment Financials, Credit 101, Healthy Living, and Housing 101.
Housing Programs
Our Housing Program offers transitional housing for young individuals who have achieved a certain level of independence but still require guidance and support as they work toward self-sufficiency. The program provides access to scattered-site apartments, which are fully furnished, and includes case management services for up to two years. Participants contribute 30% of their income toward rent, while the balance is subsidized by CHF. ROPAL acts as a critical bridge between homelessness and independent living, giving young people the stability they need to focus on achieving their long-term goals without the constant worry of securing housing. (edit verbiage)
Contact Info:
Fort Lauderdale:
(954) 561-5559
Orlando:
(407) 482-0404
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Covenant House Florida is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization; EIN/Tax ID number: 59-2323607. Privacy Policy