The Junior League of Sarasota County has donated $5,000 to the Florida Center for Early Childhood to outfit visitation rooms where children in the welfare system can visit parents and receive counseling from mental health professionals, transforming the rooms from a clinical setting into home-like spaces that are conducive for therapy sessions. The rooms, which were outfitted with comfortable furniture, soothing décor and toys for play therapy, are a crucial part of the Florida Center’s Early Childhood Court (ECC) Program.

ECC is a specialized, team-based approach that helps infants and toddlers find a stable, permanent home more quickly than in traditional court proceedings, so they don’t miss out on important relationship-building milestones. Research shows nurturing relationships are critical for a child’s healthy development. 

The Florida Center for Early Childhood manages the ECC program locally, in conjunction with Sarasota Family YMCA/Safe Children Coalition. ECC specialized intervention teams include a Case Manager, Infant Mental Health Therapist and Family Support Worker. Each ECC team can serve up to 20 children and their families. There are currently three ECC teams in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Florida Center for Early Childhood