About Us
The Children’s Network of Southwest Florida, LLC, was created in April 2003 as the Lead Agency for the Department of Children and Families in District 8. Since that time, a system of care was designed for children and families in our five county region. The Children’s Network of Southwest Florida serves as an administrative service organization that builds a network of Case Management Organizations and Specialty Providers with the capacity to provide a continuum of services for children and families. The Children’s Network will manage services and resources appropriately, resulting in positive outcomes for children and families that we serve, and coordinate efforts and activities that will result in a comprehensive quality based system of care.
The Children’s Network of Southwest Florida reflects important principles:
- Access – children and their families will have timely access to appropriate services. Waiting lists and other barriers to access will be identified and removed.
- Strengths Based – individualized treatment plans will be strengths and goal oriented, with a solution focus.
- Individualized Services – each child or family will receive individualized services in accordance with strengths and needs identified both by the child/family, and through valid professional assessments. Services will be delivered in accordance with case plans.
- Family-Centered Focus – service planning will be designed to meet the unique strengths and needs of the child/family and will encourage full participation of the family.
- Culturally Competent and Respectful Practice – culturally competent services will be delivered in a manner that respects individual and family needs, cultural differences and special issues. Culturally competent, diverse staff will ensure that all clients receive the services they need and benefit from the services they receive and that any differences in outcomes for populations of different races, religions, ethnicity, gender, physical disability, or other characteristics are identified and addressed.
- Integration -- interagency planning, resource sharing and service delivery will be linked across the Department of Children and Families and the system of care network providers. Through a shared philosophy, coordinated intake, service planning, case management and continuity of service provision, the system of care will appear seamless to the individuals and families served.
- Effective and Efficient – children, their families and the community will expect quality services, effective service outcomes and responsible and accountable use of public and private funds. Providers and families will be held accountable for results.
- Normalized - children will receive services within the least restrictive environment that is appropriate for their services needs and consistent with their safety needs.
- Community-Focused – local planning, management and decision-making will ensure that resources meet unique community needs.
- Safety Oriented – crisis and safety plans will be developed for children who are returned to or remaining in their own home.
- Permanency Driven – the Children’s Network of Southwest Florida will always strive for a safe reunification of children with their families; however, if reunification is not possible or not a goal of the case planning process, an alternate permanency plan for children and adolescents who are in out-of-home care will be developed in a timely fashion. All children with current goals of long term or permanent foster care will be immediately re-assessed and given a more appropriate goal, including reunification, adoption, and permanent placement with kin under appropriate legal arrangements or independent living.
Address: 2232 Altamont Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: (239) 226-1524
Main FAX: (239) 226-1115
Human Resources FAX: (239) 226-0227
Utilization Management FAX: (239) 479-7709
Quality Management FAX: (239) 425-6344
Staff Development FAX: (239) 461-7637
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