A Community Partnership

The Foster Manatee community outreach initiative is a partnership between a number of local partners dedicated to the well-being of children and families in Manatee County. In 2017, these partners formed the Manatee Foster Care Initiative to help meet the need for foster parents in the county, and Foster Manatee was launched as a significant step toward achieving this objective. Manatee Community Foundation has served as the convener of the group with funding support from the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation.

Please visit our partners to learn more about their good work on behalf of our community.

Foster Manatee Partners

All Star Children’s Foundation
Creating a safe place for children to heal from trauma through outpatient treatment, foster care, and more.

Bridge A Life
A Christian-based organization with programs to help abused and neglected children and support foster and adoptive families.

Central Florida Behavioral Health Network
A nonprofit that contracts with community services to provide a publicly funded mental health and substance abuse services.

Children’s Guardian Fund
Provides funding to meet emergency needs and enable normalcy and enrichment in the lives of children in foster and state care in Florida’s 12th Judicial Circuit.

Florida Department of Children and Families
The state agency that provides social services to children, families, and adults throughout Florida.

Everyday Blessings
Cares for children in Thonotosassa and Sarasota locations while they await permanent placement.

Parenting Matters
Strengthens families and helps prevent abuse through comprehensive parenting education and support.

Family Safety Alliance
Envisions a collaborative, prevention-focused community to improve the welfare of children and families in Circuit 12.

Florida Baptist Children’s Homes
Provides safe, stable Christian homes and services to children and families in need across the state and around the globe.

Guardian Angels of Southwest Florida
A nonprofit, nondenominational organization dedicated to providing safe and loving Christian homes.

SOLVE Maternity Homes
Offers housing, mentorship, and community for pregnant women of all ages in need.

Manatee County Government
Funds an array of prevention, intervention, and treatment programs for children.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office
Works to provide safety and security of Manatee County residents and visitors of all ages.

Manatee County Substance Abuse Coalition (Drug Free Manatee)
Develops community partnerships and evidence-based strategies to reduce substance abuse and promote health and wellness.

Sarasota YMCA – Safe Children Coalition
The lead agency for community-based care in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

The Florida Center for Early Childhood
Provides comprehensive therapeutic services, clinical interventions, prevention, and early education programming for children and families.

United Way Suncoast
Improves lives and creates lasting community change by mobilizing the caring people of the community to give, advocate, and volunteer.

USF Sarasota – Manatee
Provides high quality bachelor’s and graduate‐level education and scholarly activity in a personalized learning community that prepares successful leaders and responsible citizens.

West Florida Foster Care Services
A Christian-based non-profit foster care licensing agency dedicated to serving abused, neglected, and abandoned children in the community.

Funding Partners

Manatee Community Foundation
Partners with citizens to strengthen and enhance our community through philanthropy, education, and service – now and forever.