CHILDREN & ADOLESCENT SPECIAL SERVICES:

Children’s Case Management

Mailing Address: PO Box 1559, Bartow, FL 33831                                  (863) 519-0575 ext. 1150
Office Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm Mon-Fri
Population: Western Polk and Hardee County residents.
Description:  Provides a need assessment, develops a service plan, links and refers to community resources to meet identified needs, monitors progress for the treatment team and advocates on behalf of the client and family/foster family to keep emotionally disturbed children in the home. 

We Care Warmline          (800) 486-2358

Hours of Operation: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Population: Hardee and Highlands County residents.
Description: A free and confidential service for youth to call on any issue they have questions about.

Children’s Advocacy Center

Mailing Address: PO Box 1559, Bartow, FL 33831
Physical Address: 1260 Golfview Avenue, Bartow                                  (863) 519-3911
Office Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm Mon-Fri
Population: Polk and Hardee County residents.
Description: Provides brief crisis assessments and intervention and referrals. The Children’s Advocacy Center is a multi-agency collaborative community effort to service to abused children.

Home to Stay

Mailing Address: PO Box 1559, Bartow, FL 33831                                  (863) 519-0575
Physical Address:  1239 East Main Street, Bartow, FL
Office Hours: Flexible hours, 7 days a week
Population: Polk, Hardee and Highlands County residents.
Description: An in-home crisis intervention/stabilization program for high risk families who are facing the possible removal of a child(ren) from their home by the Department of Children & Families (DCF) due to abuse, neglect or status offense designed to provide the family with the necessary skills and case management services to keep the child in the home.  Also assists in reunifying families with children in out-of-home placements. Teaches various skills: problem solving, behavioral modification, parenting, conceptual change, communication.

Sexual Abuse Treatment Services

Mailing Address: PO Box 1559, Bartow, FL 33831-1559
Physical Address: 1835 N. Gilmore Avenue, Lakeland                             (863) 248-3311
Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm Mon-Fri
Population: Western Polk and Hardee County residents.
Description: Sexual abuse and incest assessments, evaluation and treatment for non-offending caregivers and victims.

School-Based Support Services

Mailing Address: PO Box 1559, Bartow, FL 33831                                  (863) 519-0575
Physical Address:  1825 N. Gilmore Ave., Lakeland, FL  33805
Office Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm Mon-Fri
Population: Polk County School students.
Description: Provides individual, group and consultation services for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students.

Comprehensive Behavioral Assessment Service

Mailing Address: PO Box 1559 Bartow, FL 33831                                   (863) 248-3311
Physical Address:  1825 N. Gilmore Ave., Lakeland, FL  33805
Office Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm Mon-Fri (flexible)
Population: Polk, Hardee and Highlands County residents.
All Referrals are received through Heartland for Children, Inc.
Description: Each child placed by the State of Florida in shelter care is required to receive an in-depth and detailed assessment of their emotional, social, behavioral and developmental functioning within the family home, school and community. This assessment and resulting recommendations are used to develop the child and family’s case plan.

Infant/Preschool Mental Health Services

Mailing Address: PO Box 1559 Bartow, FL 33831                                   (863) 248-3311
Physical Address:  1825 N. Gilmore Ave., Lakeland, FL  33805
Office Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm Mon-Fri (flexible)
Population: Polk, Hardee and Highlands County residents.
Description: The in-home therapist for the birth to 5 population would serve children within the age range in their homes and at appropriate community sites.  These children would be current PRC treatment recipients in other programs that deem the child needs more intensive services and meets the guidelines for such services. Services would involve the child, the family and appropriate community members such as preschool providers.