Family Initiative launches Together We Succeed and Project Thrive programs for children in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties

Family Initiative, the Florida-based nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of families and children in the welfare system, is launching two new voluntary programs – Together We Succeed and Project Thrive – to Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

Family Initiative was founded in 2015 by David Brown and Anjali Van Drie in Southwest Florida and has since expanded its efforts to other cities in Florida, including Sarasota and Miami. Family Initiative recognizes the need for resources to serve children and caregivers in the child welfare system who are impacted by mental health and developmental diagnoses, and works to fill those gaps with innovative programs, evidence-based therapies and compassionate support.

Located at 7345 International Place Unit 108 in Sarasota, Family Initiative partners with other Child Welfare agencies to educate and support foster families. The Project Thrive and Together We Succeed programs launching in Sarasota prioritize both the child and caregivers in separate developmental support initiatives.

Project Thrive assists adolescents and young adults in developing and strengthening the skills needed to flourish as adults. The free weekly program addresses topics such as career planning, social and emotional skills and personal care. Project Thrive is available to youth between the ages of 12 and 21 with a qualifying developmental disability and offers an alongside caregiver course to ensure concurrent success.

Additionally, Together We Succeed is designed to strengthen families and caregivers within the child welfare system through knowledge and support. The goal of the program is to provide caregivers with greater insight into the unique needs of the child and will instill the confidence to meet their child’s needs.

The referral-based programs are offered to families and children diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Attention-Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, IQ of 70 or below, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Prader-Willi Syndrome and Spina Bifida.

For more information on Family Initiative’s Project Thrive and Together We Succeed programs, email Leigh Ann Drew at ladrew@fi-florida.org or visit www.Fi-Florida.org.