Services are for youth charged with Domestic Violence on a household member. Must be referred by their local Juvenile Assessment Center.
The Florida Network works in conjunction with the Department of Juvenile Justice to provide youth arrested for Domestic Violence (DV) a safe alternative to secure detention. Services are short-term residential placements for youth ages 10-17 who do not meet criteria to be detained and do not have an alternative relative placement. Youth are referred by their local Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) or on call screener following an arrest for DV on a household member. Eligible youth are provided respite at one of the Florida Network’s 28 CINS/FINS shelters around the state. Services include face to face assessments, service orientation, case management, counseling, transportation and referrals for additional services or specialized counseling. Upon intake counselors begin working with the youth and his/her family to resolve the conflict that resulted in the youth’s arrest with the goal of family reunification. Domestic Violence Respite functions as a safe alternative to secure detention; focusing on preventing youth from falling further into the juvenile justice system and strives to keep families together.
The Probation Respite program provides up to 30 days of respite to youth who are at-risk of violating their probation. Through this intervention, youth are encouraged to make positive choices and improve their family relationships through the support of therapeutic staff.
Additional Resources
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, through the Office of Prevention and Victim Services, offers many voluntary prevention, intervention, and treatment service programs for youth throughout the state of Florida. To learn more about the services offered in your area please call our Prevention Help Line number at 1-866-757-0634. Please note: the helpline is not a counseling service number, it is for informational calls only. All calls go to a voicemail system that is monitored Monday through Friday.
For a printable Domestic Violence Respite Informational pamphlet please click on the links below:
Florida Network Domestic Violence Pamphlet- English