Emergency Shelter

When our community’s law enforcement officials respond to child abuse reports and remove children from unsafe environments, the MCS Emergency Shelter serves as a safe haven. Operating since 1979, this shelter provides temporary housing for up to 12 children, ages 6 to 17, who have experienced abuse or neglect.

The Emergency Shelter offers:

• Nurturing care and crisis intervention
• Counseling and advocacy
• Academic support and recreational activities
• Nutritious meals and transportation

Most children stay for approximately two weeks while a more permanent placement is arranged. Those requiring long-term foster care may transition to one of our three group homes, where they often remain until they reach adulthood.

Program Impact:
Success in the Emergency Shelter is measured by each child’s ability to demonstrate age-appropriate personal safety strategies—an essential skill shown to reduce the risk of future abuse. For the year ending September 30, 2024, 96% of children (53 out of 55) receiving short-term care in the MCS Emergency Shelter successfully demonstrated at least two personal safety strategies.

Group Homes

Manatee Children’s Services was the first agency to open licensed group homes for foster children in Manatee County.
Due to the high rate of children verified or at risk of human trafficking, our group homes are licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families to provide specialized care and support.

Each group home accommodates up to six children, ages 10 to 17, along with a dedicated set of house parents. These homes offer long-term housing and care until children are placed with a permanent foster family, reunified with a family member, or transition to independent living at age 18.

By eliminating frequent moves, children are given the opportunity to experience a stable, safe, and loving family environment—often for the first time in their lives.

Program Impact:
Success in our group homes is measured by each child’s ability to master age-appropriate skills necessary for independent living. These skills are critical for fostering long-term stability and reducing the risk of abuse in future generations. For the year ending September 30, 2024, 96% of foster children (26 out of 27) receiving long-term care in our residential group homes demonstrated these essential skills.

Success Stories

A young male came to the MCS group home at age 16 due to abuse and neglect. He was falling behind in school, had no identification or driver’s permit, had never created a resume before, and lacked emotional boundaries. MCS residential staff got him into therapy through our clinical team, connected him with a new school, and helped him obtain his driver’s license. Staff observed him teaching other children how to exercise and cook. He graduated high school with a plan to go into the military, and MCS staff established a connection to a recruiter for him. This young man aged out successfully with a brighter future thanks to the care and education he received through MCS.  

How to help our Emergency Shelter and group homes:

• Art therapy supplies 
• New socks, shoes, and underwear (all sizes) 
• Overnight diapers for older children ages 6+ (such as “Goodnites”) 
• New toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine products) 
• Gift cards for children to purchase personal items 
• Gift cards for residential program experiences/outings
• General monetary donations for unrestricted funds to support food and household operating expenses