The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches is a growing network of services providing a wide array of child-care programs for children living within the state of Florida. These services include Residential Care and Camping Services such as Summer Camp, Harmony in the Streets, Community Based Services, Clinical Social Services, Family Life Education and Harmony in the Schools.

If you need assistance pertaining to our programs and services and you are a Florida Resident, please contact the appropriate family case manager listed for your county.

Residential Care Services

The cornerstone and pride of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches is its nationally renown network of residential child-care campuses, an array of cottages and villas scattered throughout the state of Florida offering a stabile home to needy children.

By utilizing the Boys Ranch/Live Oak, Youth Villa/Bartow, Youth Ranch/Safety Harbor and Youth Ranch-Bradenton/Sarasota, the Youth Ranches trained and devoted staff are well-equipped to nurture needy, neglected boys and girls, and provide a warm sense of security, guidance and tenderness.

Youth are cared for by "cottage parents," who help develop a strong work ethic, sense of responsibility, teamwork and respect in each boy and girl.

Eligibility requirements for residential care are as follows:

• Legal guardian and youth must be legal residents of the state of Florida.
• Youth must be between 8 and 18 years of age.
• Youth must have no other appropriate living arrangements.
• Youth must be of average or above average intelligence.
• Youth must not pose a threat to self or others.
• Youth must not be a serious, habitual offender.
• Youth must be able to physically participate in program activities.
• Youth agrees to participate in religious activities.
• Youth must perform in public school setting or another alternative educational program.
• Youth must not have alcohol or drug dependency.
• Youth must be willing to work on personal problems.
• Youth must be recommended by the local Sheriff.

Camping Services - Summer Camp
 
The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches has two locations which provide a positive camping experience for many of Florida's deserving children.  The purpose of these camps is to provide a wholesome atmosphere and positive camping experience for boys and girls (ages 10-15).

At the Youth Camp/Barberville and Caruth Camp-Inglis/Yankeetown, boys and girls experience many different therapeutic camping activities.  Canoeing, archery, swimming, and many other recreational activities allow them the opportunity to build basic teamwork and peer communication skills.  Additionally, they can spend the week enjoying the beautiful, tranquil outdoor environment.

The camp also provides an opportunity for Deputy Sheriffs and other Law Enforcement Volunteers to get personally involved with the youngsters to form positive, healthy relationships.  Campers live among their peers, learning how to share and function properly within a group setting.  Every day contains a healthy balance between work and play, proving a valuable lesson for maturing youth.

Strong and devoted leadership is the key to a successful camping experience.  The staff includes college students, graduates, teachers, and other professionals committed to helping boys and girls become productive, law-abiding citizens.

Camping Services - Harmony in the Streets

This is a mobile camping program that combines two highly successful programs of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, Summer Camp and Youth Camp brings this unique service directly into local communities who may be socially and/or economically challenged.

The goals of the Harmony In The Streets Program are to develop and retain a high level of self-esteem, learn how to utilize free time in a positive manner and teach and lead others by role modeling positive leadership skills. The program also teaches youngsters to help foster the acceptance of others and to discover and learn to appreciate the cultural differences of others in the community.

Community Based Services - Clinical Social Services

The Youth Ranches provides clinical social services to children and families by trained counselors.  These services include individual and group counseling with youth to assist in resolving the personal difficulties which precipitated placement at the Ranch and attending to the ongoing adjustment to living in an out-of-home environment. Services include regular involvement with family members in preparing for successful discharge and supporting healthy post-placement family relationships. The clinical staff is one part of a strong collaborative team effort that includes cottage parents, youth care specialists, unit directors, teachers and Ranch general staff.

Community Based Services - Family Life Education

The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches is active in assisting parents to be better equipped to relate to their children and other family members.

Family Life Education, a key component in this process, involves parental participation in meetings, facilitated by our agency's Family Social Workers. Family Life Education meetings are a requirement for parents of youth residing in one of our agency's programs. Parents of youth awaiting placement are also invited to attend.

Through utilization of a comprehensive curriculum, Family Life Education is presented on our campuses, in community settings, via parent retreat weekends, as well as in individualized home study, for those unable to attend group meetings.