Youth Crisis Shelters

YFA serves over 700 children and their families annually at its three youth crisis shelters, providing a safe, nurturing environment free from substance misuse and all forms of abuse.

For immediate help, call 9-1-1 or the Suicide Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8.

YFA’s residential group care facilities welcome youth in crisis 24/7/365. We serve children ages 10-17 who are:

• Runaway or homeless

• Kicked out/locked out by parents/guardians

• In need of short-term respite or crisis placement

• Requiring emergency shelter due to abuse, neglect, or trauma

• Experiencing foster home disruption

Where Are the Youth Crisis Shelters Located?

YFA operates 24/7 youth crisis shelters in Hernando, Pasco, and Polk Counties. Shelters are located at:

What Services Are Provided?

YFA's youth crisis shelters provide children with basic needs, promote positive family interactions, provide resource referrals, and offer temporary residential care. Services include:

• Supervision

• Food and clothing

• Life skills education

• Crisis counseling

• Individual and family counseling

• Recreation activities

• Case management

• Educational services through local school districts

All program services are provided at no cost to children or families.

A Trauma-Informed Approach

Many of the children we serve end up at a crisis shelter after experiencing trauma outside their control. The YFA team utilizes several evidence-based methods to help children who come to the shelters deal with the crisis they face. These approaches include:

• Advancing Youth Development (AYD): A strength-based approach where we partner with children to effect positive changes in their lives. The primary focus is on the child's basic needs including safety and structure, belonging and membership, self-worth and the ability to contribute, independence and control over one’s own life, competency, and mastery. The ultimate goal of AYD is to ensure children are involved in the decisions that impact their lives and are prepared to transition successfully to adulthood.

• Youth Development System (YDS): This proven framework incorporates elements from the Character Counts program, with the goal of encouraging children to make good decisions. The framework is built on the six pillars of character identified by Michael Josephson of the Josephson Institute: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

• Trauma Informed Care (TIC): A trauma informed approach is being integrated into all training curricula for the shelters. This framework acknowledges the impact of trauma on individuals, creates a safe environment for the children, empowers the traumatized individual to make their own decisions, and works to recognize individual differences and avoid triggers that may exacerbate the trauma.

• Psychological First Aid (PFA): Evidence-informed crisis response training for shelter staff to help them identify the child’s immediate needs and respond appropriately to support the children during the crisis.

How Are the Shelters Funded?

Services are funded through the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice via the Florida Network of Youth & Family Services, Inc., the Florida Department of Children and Families, and by donations from partners and individuals. There is no cost to children or their families.