Keeping children safe and protecting them from the effects of witnessing domestic violence are important priorities at Shelter House. Youth advocates are on staff at our emergency shelter as well as in outreach. These advocates are there for the children if they want to talk. They play, educate and provide support. Shelter House also contracts with a play therapist who works with children and sometimes the non-offending parent. Funding for these youth services is generously provided by Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation.
In addition to services for children and parents at Shelter House, the agency has two co-located advocates at the Department of Children and Families in Okaloosa and Walton counties. These advocates work to bridge the work of the organizations. The Child Protection Investigations (CPI) Project focuses on reducing the removals of children from the non-offending parent in domestic violence cases. This program lessens the number of children entering foster care, thus helping the child and non-offending parent and reducing the state’s costs. The CPI Project is a partnership between the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Department of Children and Families and the Office of the Attorney General.