Mission Statement

To improve our quality of life in Lake County by providing coordination and funding for prevention and intervention programs for children, youth and families through collaborative, community-based services.

 

The Children's Services Council (CSC)is a 15 member advisory board to the Lake County Board of County Commissioners (BCC). The board consists of two members from each of the five BCC districts; three Members At-Large; one representative from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF); one representative from the Lake County School Board (LCSB) and one non-voting BCC Liaison. All CSC members are appointed by the BCC to two-year terms with the exception of the BCC Liaison, the LCSB and DCF representatives who each hold one-year terms.

The CSC advises the BCC about children’s issues in Lake County, assists with strategic planning for children and family services, supports local service providers through outreach projects, and provides a forum to exchange ideas and promote partnerships among the providers and citizens through regular monthly meetings. The CSC meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Lake County Agricultural Center, 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares, Florida.

The CSC also makes recommendations to the BCC about the use of County grant funding following the Children's Services Council request for proposal (RFP) evaluation and review process. For more information about grant opportunities, click here.

The Lake County Children’s Services Council is a division of the Lake County Department of Community Services under the Board of County Commissioners and acts as staff to the CSC supplying them, Lake County service providers and the community with support in areas that include:

• Resource and referral assistance to families needing services
• Resource sharing with Lake County’s service providers and the community atlarge
• A current, comprehensive directory of service providers
• Technical support to community agencies e.g., program development, fundraising
  guidance, etc.
• Needs assessment/asset mapping activities
• Legislative updates and recommendations regarding children and families

Free the child’s potential, and you will transform him into the world.
~ Maria Montessori