Nutritious food is not always plentiful or available when the court places children with a relative or non-relative caregiver. It takes 4-6 weeks from the time food stamps are applied for until they are received. HANDY steps in and provides food and/or food vouchers, so children will not go hungry. HANDY purchases bulk food by the pound or provides local food store certificates with grants received from private foundations.

Medical, dental and eyeglass needs are filled whenever possible by healthcare professionals who volunteer their time.  While Medicaid dollars should be available to the children, many children fall through the enrollment “cracks.”  HANDY refers children to the Florida KidCare program or steps in to help. 

Through a partnership with ChildNet, the non-profit organization that has taken over the duties of the Department of Children and Families (DCF), HANDY provided beds to 333 children this year.

A Social Work Counselor writes…

“On behalf of Irma and the four children she cares for, I would like to thank you.  These provisions were desperately needed and very much appreciated!  Our business is often a thankless profession and I wanted to take a moment to make sure that such a thing was not the case here.  Your swift response to their crisis was a real encouragement to them and me.”

Heather, Cobb and Ashley wrote…

“Thank you so much for the Winn Dixie gift certificates.  You do not know how much they helped out.  We are so grateful.  Your agency has always been absolutely wonderful to us.  You guys are great.  Thank you for everything.”