Agenda 01/08/2019 Item #16D 101/08/2019
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a Memoranda of Understanding
(MOU) with Lutheran Services Florida to provide temporary shelter for safety of homeless and
runaway youth in the community.
OBJECTIVE: To assist the State of Florida in protecting homeless and runaway youth when in a crisis.
CONSIDERATIONS: Safe Place is a national youth outreach and prevention program for young people
under the age of 18 (up to 21 years of age in some communities) in need of immediate help and safety. It
was created in 1983 in Kentucky and now has more than 21,000 Safe Place sites across the U.S. National
Safe Place (NSP) is a program that seeks to ensure the safety of homeless and runaway youth by
providing crisis intervention and prevention services, including emergency shelter and family
reconciliation, when possible. As a collaborative community prevention initiative, Safe Place designates
businesses and organizations as Safe Place locations, making help readily available to youth in
communities across the country. Throughout Florida, there are 1,942 Safe Place sites for kids. Of the 67
Counties in Florida, 52 Counties have Safe Place sites.
Communities are made of individuals and families, and the stability of communities is dependent upon
strong and stable families. Community problems, arise from issues that go deeper than what appears on
the surface. Some of the issues communities face begin with youth and family discord and strife. When
going home is not necessarily an option, Safe Place connects clients to emergency youth shelters and
other social service resources including case management, counseling, drug and alcohol treatment,
transitional housing or independent living arrangements, as well as education and employment t raining.
Together, these activities help to prevent the costly adverse outcomes of chronic homelessness and
prepare youth to become productive members of the community.
A community benefits from having a Safe Place program by providing access to help for youth before
their situation becomes a crisis. It provides opportunities for unique partnerships and collaborations
between businesses and social service entities. Safe Place is part of a national effort - a broad safety net
for youth. It provides a way for children and teens to access help when, and where they need it. Moreover,
it sends a powerful message that young people are valued and the community cares. However, regardless
of the reason, young people have a place to turn in times of need. Youth may vi sit any designated Safe
Place location and receive immediate help. Children and teens deserve access to Safe Place and a chance
to work through their problems with the support of caring adults.
How Safe Place works:
Step One - A young person enters a Safe Place and asks for help.
Step Two - The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed
Safe Place agency.
Step Three - A qualified Safe Place volunteer or agency staff member will arrive to talk with the youth
and, if necessary, provide services and or transportation to the agency.
Step Four - Once at the agency, counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff makes
sure the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.
Staff are recommending establishing signage designated Safe Places within Parks and Recreation
Division operated community center and library locations. Other locations as deemed appropriate will
also be considered.
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01/08/2019
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no Fiscal impact associated with this action.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no Growth Management impact associated with this
action.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This Item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to
form and legality, and requires majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: To authorize the Chairman to sign a Memoranda of Understanding with
Lutheran Services Florida to provide a Safe Place and shelter for safety of homeless and runaway youth in
the community.
Prepared By: Matthew Catoe, Operations Analyst, Parks and Recreation Division
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Safe Place MOU (Vendor Signed) (PDF)
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.D.1
Doc ID: 7458
Item Summary: Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a Memoranda of
Understanding (MOU) with Lutheran Services Florida to provide a Safe Place and shelter for safety of
homeless and runaway youth in the community.
Meeting Date: 01/08/2019
Prepared by:
Title: Operations Analyst – Parks & Recreation
Name: Matthew Catoe
11/29/2018 9:09 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Division Director - Parks & Recreation – Parks & Recreation
Name: Barry Williams
11/29/2018 9:09 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Parks & Recreation Ilonka Washburn Additional Reviewer Completed 11/29/2018 9:36 AM
Parks & Recreation Barry Williams Additional Reviewer Completed 12/11/2018 10:14 AM
Public Services Department Kimberley Grant Level 1 Reviewer Completed 12/11/2018 12:12 PM
Public Services Department Todd Henry Level 1 Division Reviewer Completed 12/11/2018 4:17 PM
Public Services Department Steve Carnell Level 2 Division Administrator Review Completed 12/13/2018 3:39 PM
Office of Management and Budget Valerie Fleming Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 12/14/2018 8:21 AM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 12/14/2018 9:06 AM
Budget and Management Office Ed Finn Additional Reviewer Completed 12/17/2018 3:42 PM
County Attorney's Office Emily Pepin CAO Preview Completed 12/20/2018 8:15 AM
County Manager's Office Nick Casalanguida Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 12/27/2018 2:18 PM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 01/08/2019 9:00 AM
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16.D.1.aPacket Pg. 1350Attachment: Safe Place MOU (Vendor Signed) (7458 : Safe Place Program)
16.D.1.aPacket Pg. 1351Attachment: Safe Place MOU (Vendor Signed) (7458 : Safe Place Program)