LSF Family Focus, a program of Lutheran Services Florida(LSF), is expanding its continuum of care for children, youth and families inMiami-Dade County through the addition of SNAP® (Stop Now And Plan) andCommunity Counseling, providing free, evidence-based intervention andcounseling services designed to help families address behavioral, emotional andfamily challenges before they escalate into crises.

‍

The new services complement LSF Family Focus' existingChildren in Need of Services/Families in Need of Services (CINS/FINS) program,which provides intervention, case management and counseling support for youthand families experiencing crisis, conflict and behavioral concerns.

"Families often know when their child is struggling,but they may not know where to turn for help," said Mike Carroll, ChiefExecutive Officer of Lutheran Services Florida. "By adding SNAP® andCommunity Counseling to our existing Family Focus services in Miami-DadeCounty, we're creating more opportunities for families to access support early,when it can have the greatest impact."

‍

The services will be available through LSF Miami BridgeYouth & Family Services, which operates two locations in Miami-Dade Countyand provides crisis intervention, emergency residential services, counselingand prevention programs for youth and families.

‍

Supported by more than 35 years of research, SNAP® is anevidence-based cognitive behavioral program that helps children and familiesmanage emotions, reduce conflict and build healthier relationships. Throughskill-building activities and guided discussions, participants developemotional regulation, self-control, problem-solving and decision-making skills,while parents gain tools to strengthen family relationships and reinforcepositive behaviors.

‍

In Miami-Dade County, SNAP® will offer youth and parentgroups, school-based programming and specialized services for adolescents,including justice-involved youth.

‍

The expansion builds on LSF's success in Northwest andSouthwest Florida, where its Southwest Florida SNAP® program was recognized asthe Florida Network of Youth and Family Services' 2025 Outstanding Program ofthe Year.

‍

LSF Family Focus is also expanding access to CommunityCounseling, a free, family-centered program designed to help children, teensand families navigate behavioral, emotional and family challenges.

‍

"We've seen family counseling help families acrossFlorida, and we're excited to expand that support in Miami-Dade through LSFMiami Bridge," said Raymond Ballinger, Southeast Florida Regional Directorfor LSF Family Focus. "When families have access to the right resources atthe right time, they are better equipped to communicate, grow and thrivetogether."

‍

Community Counseling serves youth experiencing challengessuch as family conflict, defiance, aggression, truancy, substance use concernsand other behaviors that may place them at risk of involvement with thejuvenile justice or child welfare systems. Through individualized treatmentplans, counseling, case management and connections to additional communityresources, LSF works alongside families to create positive change with the goalof keeping youth safe.

‍

To learn more about SNAP®, Community Counseling and otherLSF Family Focus services, visit https://lsffamilyfocus.org/

About LSF

LSF is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to helping the mostvulnerable Floridians. We do this by reducing the suicide and drug addictionrate, giving families in crisis the support they need to persevere, and makingsure those in poverty get the education they need to close the achievement gap.For more information visit www.miamibridge.org.

‍