The Children's Trust

Overview

	Out-of-School		Summer camps and after-school programs stimulate academic, athletic, cultural and social learning in a nurturing and supervised environment while parents are working and during times of day when adolescents are most prone to at-risk behavior. See The Children’s Trust summer and after-school program guides for a complete listing by zip code.

	Prevention		A wide variety of programs that address the needs of children and families. Services in this area promote early learning, literacy, improve academic performance, youth development, parenting skills, involvement in the arts, awareness of health and safety issues and education regarding the needs of children with disabilities They help prevent violence, child abuse and neglect, reduce school truancy, school dropout, and substance abuse.

	*HealthConnect*		HealthConnect is a three-part comprehensive and quality-driven health initiative, spearheaded by The Trust, with the goal of having the healthiest children possible in Miami-Dade County.

	Immunization Sites		In partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Health Department, The Children's Trust has compiled a list of immunization sites available to the public so every child in Miami-Dade County has access to the immunizations they need to stay healthy.

	Quality Counts (Formerly QRIS)		Quality Counts is a voluntary rating system that reviews centers and family child care programs according to clearly defined, high quality standards using a 5 Star method of evaluation, and offers supports and incentives to help providers reach their goals.

	211 Helpline		A call to "211" connects parents, caregivers and adolescents to The Children’s Trust Helpline, where specially trained Switchboard of Miami counselors are ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to offer help in English, Spanish and Creole.

	Transition to Adulthood		This planning initiative seeks to generate a system that is cohesive, comprehensive and capable of providing youth moving from foster care or detention, or those with emotional and/or behavioral challenges, with the supports and skills they need to become productive, contributing citizens.

	Miami Heart Gallery		The Miami Heart Gallery is a traveling, museum-quality exhibit featuring portraits of children in Miami-Dade’s foster care system who are available for adoption.

	Youth Violence Prevention		To curb street violence that has especially affected certain Miami-Dade neighborhoods, this Trust initiative funds $3.7 million over the next year (with funding also for two following years) for innovative programs and services in targeted areas.

	Service Partnerships		Service Partnerships provide direct, comprehensive and individualized services to children, youth and families in targeted, at-risk neighborhoods or populations.

	Resource Networks		Resource Networks provide training and technical assistance to service providers to improve effectiveness, while eliminating gaps in services.

	Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)		The Youth Advisory Committee of the YAC, comprised of 10th , 11th and 12th -grade students from Miami-Dade schools, offers an excellent experience for youth to garner first-hand knowledge of children’s services and advocacy, and to hone their leadership skills.

	Project RISE		The Research, Inspiration, Support and Evaluation (RISE) initiative seeks to improve quality out-of-school programs.