skip to content

CHS Blog

Impact in Action

From uplifting family journeys to innovative community partnerships, our blog highlights the progress, purpose, and people powering our mission.

Pensacola organization works to help homeless youth

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The United States Council on Homelessness says over 1,000 people who are homeless in Florida are young adults ages 18-24 living without families. Click the image below to watch. The Pensacola chapter of the Children’s Home Society of Florida is working to change that One of their programs, M-Power, provides housing for […]

Finding Confidence and Stability with CHS Healthy Families Navigators

Caroline, a single mother of one, struggled to keep a job to support her family. Deep in financial stress, she felt helpless. An immense lack of support left her isolated, anxious and disconnected from her son. Caroline longed to find stability in a job, build her self-esteem and be able to provide for her son, […]

Forever Families | The Forbes

Savatrie and Sal Forbes have opened their hearts and home to more than 70 children as registered medical foster parents in  Palm Beach County. For nearly two decades, the couple have been caring for children with severe special needs including everything from breathing machines to feeding tubes and more. When Seth – an infant with […]

Mental Health Awareness with Children’s Home Society | River City Live

Yesterday was World Mental Health Day with the theme “Mental Health in an Unequal World”.  .  Florida ranks No. 40 in the U.S for access to insurance and mental health treatment – and that’s affecting children, adults and families here Northeast Florida. It’s especially evident as the COVID-19 crisis continues to force more families into poverty, creating […]

Unconditional love despite a difficult journey : Rachael’s Story

Rachael joined Children’s Home Society of Florida’s Healthy Families program during one of the most difficult and unstable times in her life. Shortly after enrolling, the instability became overwhelming and her children were removed from her custody and placed in foster care. It broke Rachael’s spirit to know that others were taking care of her […]

Baby Safety Awareness | Home Safety Tips

September is national Baby Safety Awareness Month – the perfect opportunity to share tips on how to protect infants, empower parents and strengthen the entire family. Here are five important reminders: Tipovers are a leading cause of injury to children. Secure to the wall televisions and furniture that can easily topple over, like bookcases and […]

Baby Safety Awareness Month: Know How Baby Grows

One of the greatest joys of parenthood is watching your baby grow, play and learn, but it’s natural to wonder if your baby is on track with their development. September is national Baby Safety Awareness Month — the perfect time to remind families that recognizing baby’s key milestones can play a key role in keeping […]

‘Curls for Queens’: Hair care donations to benefit young girls

 click the image below to view the full story on WCTV.tv “Hair is our glory,” said Community School Wellness Coordinator, Makayla Fedd. Thursday, she stopped by the A Plus Everything beauty supply store to check on donations for the Curls for Queens hair drive. Fedd works at Sabal Palm Elementary School helping to address student […]

Abbys Story - Counseling and Mental Health

From Anxiety and Outbursts to Student of the Month: Abby’s Story

Seven-year-old Abby* came to CHS after recently being removed from her father and paternal grandmother. They had been living in a U-Haul in the Midwest winter, and Abby experienced physical abuse and exposure to substance misuse by caregivers. After being placed with her maternal grandmother, Abby began showing signs of post-traumatic stress … Abby’s teacher […]

Featured Foster Family: Allison and Clay Merritt

Allison and Clay Merritt became foster parents with Children’s Home Society of Florida in 2013 to provide stability, love and support to children who were temporarily separated from their biological families for their safety.  Foster parents like the Merritts provide critical support to helping children safely return home after their journey through foster care. “All […]

Nonprofit executive empowers Black students to excellence

Shining a Light: A series of stories for Black History Month highlighting people making a difference today in Central Florida’s Black community. As a teenager, Jarvis Wheeler worked 30 hours a week at a restaurant while balancing schoolwork and sports at Dr. Phillips High School. “It was empowering for me to stand on my own,” […]

Eccleston Elementary, A Community Partnership School shifts students’ trajectories

Mia’s struggles with behavior and mental health began when she was only in Pre-K. Her immense anger outbursts involved screaming, crying, throwing and breaking items These behaviors persisted for years, reaching an all-time intensity throughout 3rd grade, when she received 4 out of school suspensions for threatening the safety of others. Mia lives with a […]