A diversion program intervenes to keep families together and children out of foster care and keeping them safe from abuse. Families who are struggling are referred to LSF’s Connecting Family Paths (CFP), a diversion services program in Pinellas County that is contracted through the lead community-based care agency, Eckerd Connects.  These cases come to LSF through direct referrals from the sheriff’s office and Child Protective Services.  

 

WHAT SERVICES DOES THE PROGRAM OFFER? 

Each family served by LSF CFP will be assigned a certified child welfare case manager to provide an exceptional level of engagement, bring resources in to eliminate risk factors and prevent children from being placed in out-of-home care. 

 

WHAT IS OUT OF HOME CARE? 

Out-of-home care is special accommodation for children and young people who are unable to live with their parents. In most cases, children in out-of-home care are also on a care and protection order. Some forms of out-of-home care include foster care, family group homes or shelters, residential care and independent living.  

 

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?  

LSF CFP is a vital part of our mission in building strong families and keeping children safe in their homes by providing essential intervention services to decrease the risk of abuse and neglect. In partnership with Family Enrichment Services and Sail Future, LSF CFP offers trauma-informed expertise in intervention services. 

• Family Enrichment Services provides counseling, comprehensive behavioral health assessments, post adoption support, medication management and parenting support groups.  
• Sail Future is a broad program also serving placed-at-risk youth through residential treatment programs that provide mental health and job training services and participate in sailing journeys. Sail Future’s strategy for LSF CFP’s diversion services will be to provide afternoon and weekend therapeutic sailing experiences with the multisystemic counselor, case manager and family to support relationship development.