Council Update: CSC Served More than 52,000 Children, Families in 23-24

About 52,600 Palm Beach County children and their families benefited from early intervention and prevention services funded by Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County in fiscal year 2023-2024. 

Of those, more than 32,000 participated in quality child care, afterschool programs and summer camps through CSC scholarship and match funding, an increase of more than 3,300 children from the previous year. In addition, 19,000 children and families received direct services through CSC’s Healthy Beginnings system of care, which provides programs for expectant families and young children. And nearly 5,000 children, up to age 18, and their families enjoyed membership at one of CSC’s 10 BRIDGES locations across Palm Beach County. BRIDGES are neighborhood hubs that offer families a range of supports, services, activities and camaraderie close to home.  

(Please note, the individual program numbers listed above exceed 52,600 because some families are served by more than one program/service.) 

In other business

Psychotherapy Training: The Council approved a contract between CSC and Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy to provide Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) Training to local mental health providers. The contract amount is not to exceed $105,726 through 2025. CPP is one of the most effective, evidence-based interventions for working with young children, ages 0-5, and families who have experienced trauma. This training includes both the child and parent with a focus on healing the relationship and helping the child grow and develop in a healthy, positive way.

ECE Resident Advisory Committee Update: Staff updated the Council on the work of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Resident Advisory Committee, which began meeting in October 2023 to help CSC re-imagine the future of CSC child care investments in Palm Beach County. The committee of 15 parents, teachers and child care program leaders reviewed findings from community engagement events, in which nearly 600 Palm Beach County residents participated in fall of 2023. The Advisory Committee members now are working in small groups to understand the challenges that emerged during the engagement events and consider possible solutions. 

Holiday Books, Gifts: For the 7th year in a row, CSC provided 3,000 books to school children in Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay at the annual League of Cities holiday event in December 2023. Council staff also supported a holiday Angel Tree. And CSC’s BRIDGES programs celebrated the holidays with their members by providing meals, parties, gifts and more.