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Family Resources
Step Up for Students
https://www.stepupforstudents.org/for-parents/
Step Up For Students offers several scholarship programs to support Florida's PreK-12 students:
1. Private School Scholarship – Average of $8,000 per year for private school tuition and related expenses. Available to all Florida students eligible for K-12 public school.
2. Unique Abilities Scholarship – Offers ESAs averaging $10,000–$34,000 for students with specific diagnoses, covering private school, homeschooling, therapies, and tutoring.
3. Personalized Education Program (PEP) – ESAs for K-12 students not in full-time private/public schools. Amount varies by county/grade. Supports instructional materials, tutoring, and customized learning.
4. New Worlds Scholarship Accounts – ESAs for VPK and K-5 students needing extra reading/math support. Amount varies by school year.
5. Transportation Stipend – $750 for K-8 students attending public schools outside assigned zones.
6. Hope Scholarship – About $7,000 for private schools or $750 for out-of-district public schools for students experiencing bullying or harassment.
Thornwell
https://thornwell.org/buildingfamilies/
Thornwell’s Building Families program offers in-home support and resources to strengthen families, promote stability, and prevent crises.
VITA
https://unitedwaysuncoast.org/VITA
Free tax preparation assistance for individuals and families earning less than $66,000 annually, provided by trained IRS-certified volunteers.
Better together
Better Families Program
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Better Together provides support for families in crisis through its Better Families program. The program connects parents with a caring network of volunteers who offer short-term hosting for children, mentoring, and practical resources. The goal is to keep children safe while empowering parents to get back on their feet. Families receive the help they need without losing custody, allowing them to stay intact and grow stronger together.
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👉 Learn more or request help here: Better Families – Get Help
safe families for children - tampa
Welcome to Safe Families for Children Tampa
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In 2003, the Safe Families for Children movement began in Chicago with one clear goal: to engage families through faith communities to open their homes and hearts to vulnerable children.
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Since then, the movement has grown far beyond what anyone imagined. To date, Safe Families has:
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Supported more than 45,000 hostings, with 95% of children returning to their parents or a relative identified to step in.
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Mobilized over 25,000 volunteers who host children, support families, meet urgent needs, and provide mentorship.
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Expanded into 108 chapters worldwide, with more developing each year to meet the needs of local communities.
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Partnered with more than 4,600 churches, the backbone of the model, who serve as pillars of support for volunteers and families alike.
At its core, Safe Families is about putting love into action—keeping children safe, strengthening families, and building supportive communities.
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Who We Serve
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Safe Families for Children Tampa exists to build a community of compassionate volunteers who come alongside families in crisis. Our vision is to create extended family-like support for at-risk parents and children through trusted relationships and practical help.
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Families may turn to Safe Families when facing challenges such as:
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Homelessness
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Hospitalization or medical emergencies
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Unemployment or sudden job loss
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Domestic violence
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Lack of support system
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Addiction
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Incarceration
In every case, our volunteers provide care, stability, and hope—helping parents navigate hard times while keeping children safe and families together.
Need help now? Text or call 815-216-3880.
