Children's Home Society of Florida

About

Our mission is to build bridges to success for children, envisioning a world where they can realize their full potential. We believe in the inherent strength of every child and family, confident that together, we can overcome challenges and create brighter futures. Life's difficulties should never be faced alone, and at CHS, we deliver timely services to support children and families through their toughest times.

We strive to keep more children safe at home with their families, empowering parents to nurture their strengths and raise their children in healthy environments. Our overarching goal at Children’s Home Society of Florida is to eliminate the need for foster care by intervening before crises occur. With nearly 75% of foster care entries due to neglect from solvable issues like poverty and addiction, early intervention can keep families safe and united, giving children more opportunities to thrive.

While renowned for our child welfare services, including foster care and adoption, we also enrich communities through early childhood services, counseling, mental health support, community partnership schools, mentoring, outreach, and job training programs. At CHS, our efforts are dedicated to empowering children, families, and individuals to seize opportunities for success and happiness.

Our story began in the early 20th century with ties to the Orphan Trains from New York. Nearly 400 children arrived in Jacksonville without family or support until Reverend DW Comstock rallied community leaders to provide care. On November 17, 1902, he founded CHS to offer a "family" for those in need. Over the past century, CHS has evolved to meet the changing needs of children and families, helping them realize their potential.

Today, CHS is a nationally recognized leader in children's services with unmatched scope and breadth. We proudly serve over 80,000 children and family members annually. From just two team members in 1902 to over 1,000 today, we've expanded from a single location in Northeast Florida to nearly every area of the state.