Hibiscus Childrens Center Inc
Saving Children Since 1985
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Every year, more than 50,000 children are victims of child abuse and neglect in Florida. Every day, 7 children in South Florida are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Child abuse comes in many forms - physical, mental, emotional, sexual, abandonment and/or neglect. Whatever the form, it is always traumatizing to the child. Statistics show that children who experience abuse or neglect are nine times more likely to become involved in criminal activity, human trafficking and develop suicidal ideations. The estimated average lifetime cost of child abuse is over $200,000, per victim. These statistics are disturbing and that is why Hibiscus Children's Center has continued for over three decades to provide the safety, nurturing, critical services and skills to abused, abandoned and neglected children in our care. Every day, we are helping children overcome these obstacles and begin the road to healing and a successful future.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Hibiscus Children's Center
Hibiscus' spectrum of services include the Hibiscus Shelter - emergency shelter care for abused children; Hibiscus Village - group care services in a family setting for children removed from their homes; mental health services; and community outreach prevention.
Tilton Family Children's Shelter
The Tilton Family Children’s Shelter in Jensen Beach is an emergency shelter for children ages birth to 12 and their siblings who have been removed from their homes due to egregious abuse and neglect. Children receive 24-hour awake supervision, medical care, and most importantly psychological counseling in a safe, loving environment. The Shelter has many enhanced services including a Literacy Program that provides a comprehensive approach to improve educational outcomes for abused and neglected children in our care.
Hibiscus Children's Village
The Hibiscus Children's Village, a Group Home Services Program provides long term home environments for youth ages 13 to 17 years. These youth live in homes where they receive nurturing, love and encouragement in a family-like environment with house parent or if needed, as appropriate in a 24 hour supervised home is available to provide care and guidance. In addition the Village youth participate in Career Pathways to Independence a positive youth development program that encourages academic achievement by developing life skills and job readiness training, tutoring and homework assistance, and teaching healthy social behaviors and positive self-esteem; it also reduces dropouts and delinquency. Additionally these youth participate in career exploration, testing and assessments related to career interests, self-esteem, and work related personality, pre-employment training, multiple internships in local businesses, mentoring, and weekly structured focus groups seminars on topics including completing college applications and job applications, resume writing, creating a budget, and assistance transitioning into independent living.
Supporting Families in Crisis Program
Hibiscus Supporting Families in Crisis is a primary prevention program for families who seek help voluntarily. This program offers intervention services for families experiencing a crisis through the provision of case management and as needed parenting, financial education, mental health services and limited child respite services. Eligibility for these services are families with children birth to 18 years of ages, living in St Lucie County experiencing a crisis and are not involved in the state child welfare system.
Mental Health Program
Hibiscus Mental Health Program provides outpatient mental health services to children, 0-18, and their families including psychiatric services, medication management, and specialized treatment for child victims of sexual abuse. This program serves children and their families in all four counties who are assessed as needing program services. In addition, residential mental health (Behavioral Health Overlay, BHOS) services are provided for the children and youth in our residential care programs. Our counseling services focus on decreasing emotional and behavioral issues related to abuse, trauma, neglect, and mental health disorders. Families may seek our services for their child or teen to address issues related to child abuse, including physical and sexual abuse, sudden changes in behavior, defiance and aggression, low self-esteem, excessive fears and anxiety, grief related to the death of a family member, problems concentrating in school, or extreme anger and temper tantrums.
Where we work
Awards
Outstanding Organization, St. Lucie County 2017
AFP National Philanthropy Day Awards
Hibiscus Martin County Guild - Outstanding Fundraising Group 2019
AFP National Philanthropy Day Awards
Hibiscus Indian River County Guild - Outstanding Fundraising Group 2019
AFP National Philanthropy Day Awards
Agency Reaccreditation 2019
Council on Accreditation
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The mission of Hibiscus Children's Center is to maintain a safe shelter for children who are abused, abandoned and neglected by providing prevention, early intervention, and advocacy in quality residential, assessment and recovery programs. Every day across the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee County, Hibiscus aims to provide quality services to prevent child abuse, intervene and help children recover from trauma, and help children and youth build a strong foundation for the future. Hibiscus works to break the cycle of child abuse with the children and youth in our care so they will lead productive adult lives and provide loving and safe homes for their families.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
One of the most critical elements of Hibiscus Children's Center's services is therapeutic counseling children receive in our residential facilities (Hibiscus Shelter and Hibiscus Village), and received by children in our community. Through professional mental health services, we aim to increase the overall mental health functioning for children and decrease trauma symptoms as measured by increasing resiliency and protective factors. 100 percent of children placed at Hibiscus Children's Center have access to mental health services while in our care. Hibiscus Counselors are master-level and trauma-trained professional staff seeking to help children heal from trauma.
In addition, Hibiscus has expanded our provision of community mental health services to assist children in our community. By providing additional children on the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee County with these services, it will strengthen our families and community, and help children recover from issues they experience such as bullying, divorce, anxiety, fear, abuse and low self-esteem. Specialized sexual abuse treatment is provided to victims and their families to prevent further sexual victimization while enabling families to develop healthy, non-abusive relationships.
Hibiscus Children’s Center implemented the Sanctuary Model in 2017 to provide each child in our programs with services designed to reach identified treatment goals and objectives through a trauma-informed approach. Staff participate in on-going Sanctuary Model trainings. The model serves as the blueprint for clinical and organizational change which, at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community. A recognition that trauma is pervasive in the experience of human beings forms the basis for the Sanctuary Model's focus not only on the people who seek services, but equally on the people and systems who provide those services.
Education and literacy are main focuses for the children in Hibiscus' care. The Educational Liaison at our Shelter and Village work closely with the children, public schools and available community resources. Through these services, our goal is that 100 percent of our youth will earn their GED, High School Diploma, or be enrolled in school at the time of their 18th birthday.
The costs to serve abused and abandoned children in crisis are rising. Hibiscus Children's Center remains dependent upon generous community support as state/federal funding covers only about 70% of the services we provide. The additional 30% is currently raised through special events, individual and foundation donations and grants. Hibiscus continually seeks additional revenue streams to support the children's services through fundraising opportunities, community awareness, grants, foundations and corporate support.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Hibiscus Children's Center has been saving the lives of children for over 35 years and is well-respected in the community and a leader in the child welfare arena. As services are needed to meet the needs of children and families, Hibiscus has committed to providing those services through increased expansion of programs throughout the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee County. Hibiscus is able to continue providing these services and protecting children daily through the dedication of our staff and supporters, as well as our community partnerships that are an integral part of what we do every day for children and families.
Hibiscus Children's Center employs over 140 qualified and dedicated staff. Staff working closely with the children are trauma trained and therapeutic counselors are master level therapists. Hibiscus has committed volunteers who provide support in our residential facilities with children, such as mentoring and tutoring, cooking meals, chaperoning field trips, as well as volunteers who commit time to fundraise, create community awareness, and much more. Hibiscus has strong leadership and is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors, CEO and Leadership Team.
The Career Pathways to Independence Program, serving youth living at the Hibiscus Village, provides life skill development and career preparation training. The youth are engaged in community based internships with local businesses and agencies. Hibiscus is able to provide these critical services through the support of many local businesses who have responded to partnering with our youth. These include sub shops, restaurants, fast food restaurants, banks and financial institutions, pet stores, real estate, hair salons, and many more. Participating youth receive a career and interest assessment to provide an understanding of talents, interests, personality and skills in order to establish compatible future work areas and fields of interest.
SafeCare is an evidence-based training program for parents who are at-risk or have been reported for child abuse and neglect. SafeCare services are targeted to families that have one or more risk factors, including families with substance abuse or domestic violence issues, teenage parents, parents of special needs children, single parents, and low-income families through at-home parent education and training. This program is a collaborative program between Hibiscus Children’s Center and Behavior Basics, Inc., a local non-profit that improves the quality of life for clients and their families through education, training and ongoing services.
Through strong leadership, generous support, dedicated staff and volunteers, and programs and services that have proven successful outcomes, Hibiscus Children's Center will continue to provide the vital services and programs needed to protect, heal and help prepare children and youth for the future.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Hibiscus Children's Center has been saving the lives of children for over 35 years and has been a leader in the child welfare arena. We have provided over 3,000 children with 375,000 nights of safety. We have been able to help abused children in our care feel safe, loved and begin the healing process for over three decades, along with support services to thousands of community children and families. Hibiscus' residential facilities, Shelter and Village, provide safe haven to abused, abandoned and neglected children. The 36-bed Shelter in Jensen Beach provides safety and care to children ages birth - 12 years old, and older siblings may be placed as well. The 40-bed Village in Vero Beach provides safety and care to youth ages 13-17 years old. Last year, the Shelter and Village provided 23,650 nights of safe care to children. Since our beginning, thousands of children have slept safely, some for the first time, and began the healing journey after stepping through our doors.
Trauma Informed Care Staff and counselors understand how trauma experiences such as abuse and neglect impact children’s emotional, social, cognitive, and developmental growth. This understanding guides the treatment process and overall care of children. The children and teens we serve experience – many for the first time – a true sense of home for healing and transition. Rituals like bedtime stories and birthday celebrations integrate with the daily routine to ensure the shelter does not feel institutional. Children are introduced to the arts and participate in school extracurricular activities. Most importantly, they receive love and nurturing from compassionate services.
Hibiscus Mental Health Team has been awarded "Best Mental Health Community Services" by the Reader's Choice Awards in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Hibiscus provides Outpatient Mental Health Services to over 400 children annually in schools and homes in Indian River, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, and Martin County. Children and families have received services to help overcome mental health issues and provided resources and coping skills. Hibiscus specializes in the treatment of trauma-based disorders, behavioral health, infant mental health, and healing victims of sexual abuse. The children also receive psychiatric services such as medication management in conjunction with our counseling services to ensure the best outcomes. Parents As Teachers, a new parent education home-visiting program in Okeechobee was successfully implemented by our Clinical Team.
Hibiscus Children’s Center is the only Department of Health sanctioned Sexual Abuse Treatment Program.
This year, Hibiscus implemented an Equine Therapy and Music Program. This new innovated therapeutic approach will bring transformational healing to children and reach them in a way traditional therapies cannot. This therapy is an expansion of Hibiscus' current mental health services and helps build self-esteem and life skills.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Hibiscus Childrens Center Inc
Board of directorsas of 07/07/2022
Mr. Roads Scott
Hibiscus Children's Center
Term: 2021 - 2023
Mr. LaPorta Michael
Hibiscus Children's Center
Term: 2021 - 2023
Dan Braden
Braden & Braden Architects
LaVaughn Tilton
Travis Walker, Esq.
Barrie Damson
Armund Ek
Beckett Horner
Frank Noonan
Dave Wilson
Donna Ambrosino, M.D.
Fernando Petry, D.O.
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
Michael Harrell
Tracey Dexter
Seacoast Bank
Beckett Horner, Esq.
Block & Scarpa Attorneys at Law
Deborah Kessler
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 01/28/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.