What We Do | FAQ's
What is the Santa Rosa Kids’ House?
As one of over 900 Child Advocacy Centers in the United States, the Santa Rosa Kids’ House mission is to deliver a well-coordinated and multi-disciplined response to child abuse in an environment that puts the needs of children first. It is our vision to create a community where all children are nurtured to learn and grow in the context of safe and stable families that are equipped with the tools to prevent abuse and neglect.
SRKH is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the following agencies in response to reports of abuse and neglect: Florida Department of Children & Families, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida
Attorney General’s Child Predator CyberCrime Unit, the Families Count Child Protection Team, the State Attorney’s Office, Lutheran Services Florida Sexual/Physical Abuse Treatment Program and the Guardian ad Litem Program.
How can I donate and what can be donated to the Santa Rosa Kids’ House?
The Santa Rosa Kids’ House is eager to receive your financial and in-kind support. See the “Help Now” section of our Web site for details on how you may assist us in fulfilling our mission.
When children are taken into custody by the state, do they come here?
Sometimes. Children receive services from the Santa Rosa Kids’ House in order to make a determination as to the nature of abuse or neglect that a child may have experienced. After this assessment, the Department of Children and Families may then take action to arrange alternative placement that will ensure children are safe. This process sometimes involves a child remaining here at the Kids’ House while these arrangements are being made or the assessment of their needs continue. While we are equipped to provide a safe environment for children over several hours, children do not usually stay overnight at the Kids’ House.
Do kids stay over night here?
No. While we have space specifically designed to care for children for extended periods of time, children almost never stay overnight. It is our goal to provide the appropriate assessment and intervention so that they can then be cared for safely by another trusted caregiver.
Can any child come to the Santa Rosa Kids’ House for counseling?
No. The Santa Rosa Kids’ House therapy services are specialized sexual and physical abuse treatments provided by Lutheran Services Florida. As such, only children who have verified findings of physical and sexual abuse receive services here. If children require counseling for other issues, we refer them to another resource in the community.
What do I do if I’m concerned about a child?
If you have reason to believe a child is being abused or neglected, please contact 1-800-96-ABUSE or your local law enforcement office to report your concerns. Following your report, continue to provide support for the child and family. If you fee that nothing was done about your concern, please continue to report your concern until you feel the child is safe.
How do I find out about child sexual predators in Santa Rosa County?
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office provides the community with sexual offender and sexual predator information. Click here for information about offenders in our county and a link to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Web site, where you can find information for offenders outside Santa Rosa County.
