Important Family Law Resources in Florida
Family law cases deal with issues related to separation and divorce, child custody and support, alimony and property division, paternity, adoption, and more. Experienced family law attorneys can help take you through the legal steps to guide you through family law concerns, but we also work with local agencies and community services to provide holistic support to our clients and ensure the best possible outcome for parents and children. The following is a list of some of the organizations with which we may work during a family law case.
State of Florida – Health and Family Services
The State of Florida works with and supports various assistance services such as a statewide adoption initiative aimed at promoting the benefits of public adoption, the Florida Abuse Hotline to help victims of suspected child abuse, neglect, or abandonment, and the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)
The DCF offers several programs for families, including food, cash, Medicaid, and refugee assistance. They also partner with several organizations in the Fort Lauderdale area, including The Salvation Army and offer assistance to those dealing with domestic violence.
The DCF’s Office of Child Care Regulation and Background Screening is responsible for child care licensing and training throughout Florida to ensure that child care professionals are trained and qualified. The Department also runs a separate domestic violence program which is linked to Florida’s domestic violence centers and the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence as established by state law.
Family Resource Center of South Florida
The Family Resource Center provides services to more than 2,599 children, adolescents, and adults via their foster care program and mental health services, which includes an LGBTQ program that targets the needs of homeless and/or “at risk” LGBTQ.
Parent Education and Family Stabilization Courses
These classes are mandated by the state of Florida for parents seeking to obtain a divorce (when a child is involved). They typically cover the emotional impacts of divorce on families and issues related to spousal or child abuse and neglect, and are designed to be educational. More information about where these courses are available can be found here.
Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV)
FCADV serves as the professional association for the state’s 42 certified domestic violence centers, which provide referral, counseling, case management, emergency shelter, 24-hour hotline, child assessment, professional training, community education, and safety planning services. For those located in Fort Lauderdale, Women in Distress of Broward County is the local shelter. For Boca Raton, Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse and YWCA of Palm Beach County are there to help victims of domestic violence.
Florida MENTOR (“TBOSS”)
“TBOSS” provides community-based therapy for children and their families to help get them on a “positive path.” They offer counseling and other services at home, in school, or in other settings where they will be beneficial to kids and families facing challenges in part due to abuse, domestic violence, grief, and other circumstances.
Contact an Effective and Compassionate Family Law Attorney in Broward County
If you live in Fort Lauderdale or Boca Raton, and you have a family law concern, please contact Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. to schedule a consultation. We will work with you to find solutions that fit you and your family. We are committed to ensuring your safety and the safety of your loved ones.
