Florida has been at the forefront of addressing the mental health needs of its children and adolescents through a variety of innovative programs. These initiatives aim to provide comprehensive support, ensuring that young individuals receive the care they need to thrive.​

Florida Project LAUNCH

The Florida Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health) is a notable initiative focused on preventing youth emotional and behavioral disorders. It emphasizes improving family dynamics and enhancing parent-child relationships, recognizing that early intervention is crucial for long-term mental health. ​My Florida Families

Thriving Mind’s Short-Term Residential Program

Thriving Mind has introduced Florida’s first Short-Term Residential Treatment (SRT) program specifically for children and youth. This 16-bed facility, located at Citrus Health Network, offers intensive, short-term care for young individuals experiencing severe mental health crises. By providing specialized residential services, the program aims to stabilize patients and equip them with coping strategies for reintegration into their communities. ​Thriving Mind | South Florida

Success 4 Kids & Families

Operating in the Tampa Bay area, Success 4 Kids & Families delivers tailored mental health services through case management and therapy. Their approach focuses on keeping children within their homes, schools, and communities while addressing their unique mental health needs. Additionally, they offer programs supporting parents struggling with mental illness, emphasizing family and economic stability. ​Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

Mindfulness Training in Schools

Incorporating mindfulness training into school curricula has shown promising results in enhancing children’s mental well-being. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine revealed that mindfulness practices, including paced breathing and yoga-inspired activities, significantly improved sleep duration and quality among elementary school children. These findings underscore the potential of mindfulness in promoting better mental health outcomes. ​Verywell Mind

Pace Center for Girls

The Pace Center for Girls offers education and counseling services to at-risk teenage girls across Florida. Established in 1985, this nonprofit organization focuses on creating a supportive environment that addresses both academic and emotional needs, aiming to reduce recidivism and improve self-sufficiency among its participants. ​Wikipedia

University of Florida’s OCD Program

The University of Florida hosts a specialized Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Program within its Department of Psychiatry. This clinic provides cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention (CBT-E/RP) for both children and adults, achieving success rates higher than the national average. The program also engages in research to advance treatment methodologies for OCD. ​Wikipedia

Center for Child Counseling’s Innovation Fund

The Center for Child Counseling has launched an Innovation Fund aimed at transforming how children’s mental health services are delivered. This initiative focuses on data-driven interventions, geo-mapping technology to identify community trauma patterns, and groundbreaking research to prevent childhood trauma. ​Center for Child Counseling

These programs exemplify Florida’s commitment to advancing children’s mental health care. By implementing innovative strategies and fostering collaborative efforts, the state continues to make significant strides in supporting the well-being of its younger population.