ECHO Ministries | Providing for the spiritual and tangible needs of children in care.
ECHO is a local nonprofit designed to help provide for the tangible needs of children in foster care through their ECHO shops which allow children and families to get the items they need such as clothing, diapers, wipes, backpacks, hygiene products and more for free.
Hope Florida - A Pathway to Prosperity
Uniting communities through Hope Navigators to guide Floridians on an individualized path to prosperity, economic self-sufficiency and hope. If you need to connect with a Hope Navigator, call 850-300-HOPE.
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Looking for resources or programs near you?
Visit heartland.findhelp.com for a searchable database–simply enter your zip code to find programs and services near YOU!
Located in the heart of Lakeland, the Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children’s Resource Center is a community-based learning and resource center that provides classes, playgroups, workshops, developmental checkups, community activities, and support for parents and caregivers of children aged 0-6, as well as for expectant moms and dads. They strive to make childhood a happy, healthy, and wholesome experience for every child and parent in Polk County.
United Way's 211
211 is a vital service that connects millions of people to help every year. To get expert, caring help, simply call 211 or visit 211.org
The mission of the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County is to provide leadership, direction, and integrated resource management for quality services that support our vision of success for children. Their vision is that all children enter school healthy, ready and eager for lifelong learning with the collaborative support of parents, families, educators, and the community.
The Early Learning Coalition of Florida's Heartland's goal is to ensure young children in Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee and Highlands counties have access to high quality early care and education programs. A high quality early care and education program is one that is filled with rich and creative experiences, a developmentally appropriate environment and caring teachers who sincerely connect with young children. Such a program can truly help a young child prepare for school success!
Charlie Health offers Free Parent Support Groups for parents, grandparents or guardians of teens, young adults, LGBTQIA+, Parent Support for Families of Color, El Grupo de Cuidores en Espanol and Neurodivergent youth.
Most parents in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties agree that they can be better parents with support. There are a number of support groups are available for foster and adoptive families in Circuit 10. Explore below to see which group(s) might be right for you!
Check out Ametheo for Mom's Mornings, Mom and Me, and Family Support Group. For more information on upcoming support groups, contact Marlynn Pharnes, LMCH at 863-224-2408.
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TLC (Tender Loving Caregivers) is an association of Foster, Adoptive, Relative/Non-Relative Careigvers, and Independent Living Children that gather together for monthly training and support meetings and events. They offer a wide range of services to our families.
Visit their website: www.tlcfamilies.org for more information, to join, and meeting schedules.
Check out their Facebook Group: TLC Association, Inc