Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches Inc

Programs: Residential programsthe agency operated 4 residential group care facilities serving 296 youth from across the state of florida. The boys ranch in live oak began admitting individual girls this year and has 4 cottages for boys, one cottage for girls, and one sibling cottage and operates a working farm and an on campus learning center providing youth with opportunities to learn vocational skills and improve their academic performance. The boys ranch also served 68 youth who attended the "cowboy camp" day camp program over the summer. The youth villa in bartow provides a cottage for sibling groups removed from their homes and traditional residential cottages for girls who are either privately placed or in foster care to work on behavioral and academic problems. Safety harbor campus operates 3 cottages for sibling groups removed from their homes and provides a safe nurturing environment for these youth until they can be reunified with family members or find placement with a foster home or adoptive family. This summer, the safety harbor campus partnered with the city of safety harbor parks and rec department to provide day camp programming to 2,582 youth. Our bradenton campus has two cottages serving sibling groups removed from their homes and also provided day camp programming to 84 youth in foster care during the summer. All of our residential programs provide youth the opportunity to participate in work programs, to attend an on-campus learning center or community school, to engage in recreational activities, and participate in chapel services in accordance with our philosophy of "work, study, play, and pray. "

camping programscamping services operates two residential camp programs and a mobile day camp program. These programs provided residential summer camp experiences to 943 youth, mobile day camp services to 1,378 youth, and other school year and leadership services to 1,513 youth and adults. The residential camp programs are: the youth camp in pierson, fl and the caruth camp in inglis, fl. Each residential camp provides a traditional summer camp experience free of charge to girls and boys between the ages of 10 and 15 who otherwise may never attend camp. Activities offered include arts and crafts, archery, swimming, canoeing, environmental education, challenge course, high ropes, group building, and team sports. The theme of summer camp is "law officers are your friends, and each group is assigned a deputy sheriff who participates in activities with the campers giving them an opportunity to have a fun and positive experience with law enforcement. Camping services also provides a mobile camp program known as harmony in the streets which operates day camp sessions in various community centers, schools, and low income housing areas for up to 60 youth between the ages of 6 and 12. This program brings the camp experience to the campers and offers arts and crafts, team sports, challenge course, group building, archery, environmental education, and water games and includes participation from the local sheriff's office. During the school year both camps offer leadership and team building retreats to community groups and provide harmony in the schools programming to area middle school students.

community based counselingthe agency provides two intake coordinators and an intake specialist who answer inquiry calls and requests for service from our residential programs. The agency provided these services to 463 families. When parents call they are often frustrated and seeking help dealing with their child's behavior issues. Our intake coordinators listen to the parents, provide counseling, and offer the appropriate assistance. When a youth's problems are too severe for our voluntary program, the parents are offered referrals to other programs and community resources. When the youth is a good candidate for our program, the intake coordinators assist the parents with the application and interview process until the youth can be placed. When youth are in residential placement, our therapists and unit directors offer monthly family supportive counseling as the youth works on his or her goals. When youth discharge from the program, the intake specialist can provide aftercare at the family's request.