Hillsborough County is seeing measurable progress in child welfare thanks to a proactive approach that focuses on families before a crisis forces children into foster care. The Children’s Network of Hillsborough County, working hand‑in‑hand with the Florida Department of Children and Families, has built a model that emphasizes early intervention, parental support, and community collaboration.
Early‑Intervention Strategy
Since becoming the community‑based care lead agency in July 2022, the Network’s Intensive Family Services Team (IFST) has partnered with state and local agencies to identify families at risk and provide targeted assistance. Services range from parenting education and substance‑abuse counseling to connections with health, housing, and employment resources. By addressing problems before they become emergencies, the program aims to keep children safely at home whenever possible.
Results That Matter
In the five‑year span since the program’s launch, the Network has served more than 10,000 children and youth and processed over 6,700 referrals for critical support. The data show a 47% drop in the number of children under the agency’s supervision and a 30% decline in youths placed in residential group care. Moreover, child‑protective investigations have resulted in fewer removals, reflecting the effectiveness of the preventive model.
Family Preservation and Adoption Success
When removal is unavoidable, the Network still prioritizes family connections. Today, 54% of youth in care in Hillsborough County are placed with relatives, preserving important family and community ties. Since the summer of 2022, the agency has reunified more than 1,299 families and completed over 1,626 adoptions, underscoring a commitment to permanent, loving homes.
Collaboration with Law Enforcement
Beyond direct family services, the Network recently joined Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other partners in Operation Statewide Shield. The joint effort rescued 163 children across the state, including 48 from Hillsborough County, highlighting the power of coordinated action among child‑welfare agencies, police, and community groups.
Looking Ahead
While the gains are encouraging, leaders acknowledge that work remains. Continued investment in early‑family services, expanded substance‑abuse treatment, and stronger ties to faith‑based and community organizations are essential to sustain the downward trend in foster‑care placements. CEO Terri Balliet stresses that protecting children and preserving families are not competing goals; they are mutually reinforcing pillars of a healthy community.
The Hillsborough County model offers a blueprint for other jurisdictions seeking to reduce foster‑care reliance while upholding the safety and well‑being of children. By intervening early, strengthening parents, and fostering cross‑sector collaboration, the county is moving toward a future where fewer children need to enter the foster‑care system.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
