SOS provides the following services, which enhance the health and welfare benefits of the children served:
- Case Management : Three full-time case managers provide services that include, but are not limited to, daily case management, life skills training, preparing admissions and discharges, linking all services, advocacy, preparing and monitoring SOS service plans, participating in court hearings and team meetings, participating in rotation of 24-hour on-call response, crisis intervention, participating in biological family visitation, serving as liaison to community-based care providers and other service providers, facilitating/attending school meetings, maintaining case files, and submitting required reports to collateral agencies involved with the children.
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Independent Living/Transitional Services: Life skills are provided in individual and group sessions,
according to age groupings. Pre and post-tests identify areas that need attention. Skills learned in the sessions
are practiced in the SOS homes with involvement of direct care staff. Services also include planning with youth
toward employment, academic and vocational pursuits. All children age 13 and older are involved, as required
by Florida statute. There are generally over 30 youth enrolled in the program. This program, since it is on-site,
helps ensure attendance, involvement of staff, and scheduling to accommodate the youth.
SOS also maintains two of our 11 homes as transitional homes, one for each gender ages 15-18, wherein “life coaches” (direct care staff) assist with preparing the youth for greater independence. - Tutoring: On-site individual tutoring is provided to children with academic deficiencies and at risk of academic failure, or who need to improve in specific subject areas. SOS enlists certified teachers/tutors with the training and expertise to provide the assessment and tutoring within the SOS homes. This service is available to all children in care. We also coordinate group tutoring for children who can benefit from the group model.
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Mental Health Services: The SOS Social Services Manager provides a portion of direct clinical/therapeutic
interventions to the SOS children and coordinates all mental health services, including treatment plans, treatment
team meetings, psychiatric and psychological elements, and therapeutic services. Another on-site mental health
counselor also provides direct therapy to children. As 60% of SOS children routinely receive mental health services,
this role is vital to assure the integration of services and appropriate oversight to the mental health program.
SOS also has a behavioral level system component in the residences. A Behavior Support Manager provides training, support and crisis intervention. - Volunteer/Mentoring Program: Volunteers, screened per Florida statute, are recruited, trained and supervised to enhance children’s well-being in providing one-on-one attention in being a study buddy or mentor. This service is available to all children in care.
- Nurse: A nurse monitors the medical/medication component of the SOS program. The duties include being a point of contact with physicians and psychiatrists, monitoring prescription changes, scheduling appointments, training staff in record keeping/dispensing/logging medications, maintaining medical files, 24-hour availability by pager, and attending the treatment team meetings.
- After Care Program: Case management services are available to young adults ages 18+ who once lived at SOS and are now living independently within the community or in college. A social worker assists youth during their transition from SOS to independence, and with ongoing assistance in areas including counseling, emergency assistance, advocacy, and links to employment and housing, and the many other practical needs in order to strengthen self-sufficiency.