ICFH inc. has merged into Cayuga Centers
Serving the Miami-Dade Community
We empower children, adolescents, and families of Miami-Dade County and surrounding areas by providing services that enhance their emotional, physical, and educational well-being.
At Cayuga Centers, we have committed ourselves to help children, families, and individuals to grow as independent, healthy, and productive citizens through quality counseling, out-of-home care, and support services. We work to keep families together and unite those who have been divided.
This year we were delighted to announce Miami-Dade County child and family services provider, Institute for Child and Family Health (ICFH), merged into Cayuga Centers’ family of services as part of the organization’s commitment to supporting at-risk youth in Florida and expanding within the state.
Cayuga Centers and ICFH share a common dedication to helping children and families, a commitment to quality care, and an appreciation for strong partnerships and expertise in child welfare and behavioral health. Together we aspire to empower the children, youth, and families in our community by providing services that enhance their emotional, physical, and educational well-being. Building strong, emotionally healthy, successful, and productive children and families in our community.
Our Home and Community-Based Treatment and Support Services
All-Aboard After School Program
All-Aboard After School is a literacy program designed to help children from low-income and high-risk neighborhoods. We offer a safe and supportive environment where kids can participate in social, educational, and recreational activities tailored to their unique needs and interests. We help students maintain their grade-level learning and develop positive relationships with adults and peers.
Our small group literacy and age-appropriate activities include homework assistance, physical fitness, social skills building, and access to community resources. To encourage reading, each student receives a monthly book to add to their personal library at home.
Who is eligible for this service?
→ Children kindergarten through second grade at risk of falling behind in their educational development and attend Comstock Elementary School.
→ Students in kindergarten through second grade who are enrolled at Comstock Elementary School.
All-Aboard After School is funded by the Children’s Trust. The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.
All-Aboard Family Literacy Program
The All-Aboard Family Literacy Program is an evidence-based parent education program using the Parents as Teachers model that helps families with children aged 0-5 improve children’s readiness for school and success and guides parents through their child’s early development. We help you understand what to expect during each stage of your child’s growth, and enhance your relationship with your child.
Our Program
→ Teaches new and expectant parents the skills needed to promote positive child development and prevent child maltreatment
→ Reduces parent stress and risk of child maltreatment
→ Helps you advocate for yourself and your child
→ Supports healthy child development
→ Provides early detection of developmental delays and health concerns
→ Includes home visits, group meetings, screenings, and access to community resources
→ Lasts a minimum of 2 years
Services Provided
→ Weekly or bi-monthly educational home visits
→ Free parenting seminars for families
→ Interactive literacy activities for parents and children
→ Access to community resources
Who is eligible for this service?
→ Families with children ages 0-5 who identify as having a minimum of two family stressors.
Contact Information:
Sonia Granados, Program Director
sonia.granados@cayugacenters.org
(786) 810-6649
All-Aboard Parents as Teachers is funded by the Children’s Trust. The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.
Broward Substance Abuse Prevention Program
Our Substance Abuse Prevention Program uses the evidence-based model Botvin’s LifeSkills Training (LST), a proven method to teach students in Broward County schools how to avoid drug and alcohol use. LST covers topics such as decision-making, coping with stress, and resisting peer pressure. Young people can gain practical life skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to resist negative influences that can lead to substance abuse.
LST is a 10-15 week evidence-based and research-informed program designed to help young people address the social and psychological factors that can lead to substance use and other risky behaviors.
The program uses a variety of fun and engaging activities to help youth build skills and develop resiliency, including group discussions and structured activities
This program is provided year-round in public schools, or at nearby community-based sites during the summer.
Who is eligible for this service?
→ Youth ages 7-15
Referrals:
evelyn.sangiovanni@cayugacenters.org
(786) 810-4710
Located at our Broward Office*
Funded by United Way of Broward County
Child and Family Counseling
At Cayuga Centers, we know how important mental wellness is for you and your loved ones. That’s why we offer our Child and Family Counseling program, which aims to help individuals improve their emotional well-being and strengthen family relationships. Our program includes individual, group, and family counseling, as well as psychiatric services for children, youth, and adults who are dealing with a wide range of challenges like depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and more.
Services Provided:
→ Work with a clinician who specializes in therapy for individuals and families
→ Weekly therapy sessions that last between 1-2 hours for an average of 6 months
→ In-home, school-based, and telehealth therapy sessions for youth, as well as in-person and telehealth sessions for adults
Who is eligible for this service?
→ Adults and youth ages 4＋
→ Must be enrolled in Medicaid
→ Meet criteria for mental health diagnosis determined following our initial assessment conducted by a licensed clinician
Contact Info:
Irene Alvarez, LCSW
Director of Clinical Services
irene.alvarez@cayugacenters.org
Make a Referral:
miamireferrals@cayugacenters.org
or call 305-274-3172
Funded by Medicaid and United Way Miami
Functional Family Therapy (FFT) Program
Cayuga Centers is a proud provider of Functional Family Therapy (FFT). FFT is a nationally researched and evidence-based model of home-based family therapy. This family-focused therapy operates on the belief that all families have strengths and are doing the best they can at any point. With FFT, the entire family unit works together to prevent out-of-home placement, intervene on behalf of family rebuilding, and unify the family unit.
How does Functional Family Therapy work?
Families work together through three FFT phases of engagement (motivation, behavior change, and generalization) with our licensed clinicians. While working with the master’s level registered interns over a period of 12-16 weeks, our outcomes can include:
→ Increase in coping skills
→ Increase in problem-solving skills
→ Reduced rates of out-of-home placement
→ Improvements in family functioning
→ Decreased mental health problems for the youth
Who is eligible for this service?
The program services youth and their families at risk and/or presenting with delinquency, family conflict, truancy, violence, substance use, gang-related behavior, and other behavioral disorders.
→ FFT serves ages 11 up to 18
Contact Information:
Karen Birchette, LCSW, Director of TFFC Clinical Services
karen.birchette@cayugacenters.org
(786) 918-0839
Make a Referral in Miami-Dade County:
miamifft@cayugacenters.org
Funded by Miami-Dade County and United Way Miami
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Healthy Steps Program
The HealthySteps for Young Children program supports parents in providing the best possible care for their babies and toddlers. By assessing and screening infants and toddlers early on, the program helps identify any potential issues and intervenes promptly. This evidence-based program is recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Child Trends. Its goal is to promote healthy development and nurturing parenting, and to strengthen the bond between parents and their children. The HealthySteps approach involves the Developmental Specialist working alongside the Pediatrician to provide support and guidance to families, so they can foster a strong attachment with their children.
HealthySteps Specialists provide the following:
→ Support for common and complex concerns that doctors may not have time to address, such as feeding, behavior, sleep, attachment, and parental depression.
→ Help for families with social determinants of health and adapting to life with a baby or young child.
→ Parenting guidance, support between visits, referrals, and care coordination tailored to each family’s specific needs.
Who is eligible for this service?
→ Babies and toddlers 0-3 years. However, they must be 18 months of age or younger at the time of enrollment.
Contact Info:
Nadine Leveille, Program Manager
nadine.leveille@cayugacenters.org
(786) 918-8234
Healthy Steps is funded by the Children’s Trust. The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.
Parent and Child Enrichment (PACE) Program
Parent and Child Enrichment Program (PACE), funded by The Children’s Trust, provides parenting skills classes and parent-child interaction groups for all parents of children ages 0-6 and teenage parents of Miami Dade County. PACE’s goal is to help parents interact with their children in a positive manner, as well as to enhance their parenting skills. In addition, PACE’s developmental specialists help parents understand their children’s developmental cues and needs in order to encourage their optimal development. Parenting skills classes follow The Incredible Years Curriculum (Webster-Stratton). The classes aim to provide parents the skills and tools needed to nurture their children emotionally, cognitively and socially.
Eligibility:
- Parents/primary caregivers of children ages 0-6 and teenage parents.
- Parenting skills classes and interaction groups are provided at ICFH’s offices and in various Miami-Dade County Public Schools, childcare centers, private schools and other community organizations throughout Miami-Dade County.
Contact Info:
Lilian Grava, Program Manager
lilian.grava@cayugacenters.org
(786) 810-0897
Parent and Child Enrichment (PACE) Program is funded by the Children’s Trust. The Children’s Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.
Trauma Focused - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
If a child or young person has experienced a traumatic event, it can have a big impact on their mental health. Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment model that has been proven to help.
TF-CBT is a short-term therapy that usually lasts between 8-25 sessions. During this time, both the young person and their caregiver take part in individual and family sessions, helping the youth deal with any mental health issues they may be experiencing as a result of the trauma. It also helps the caregiver understand how to support the young person better.
Studies have shown that TF-CBT not only helps young people recover from their trauma but also improves the caregiver’s parenting skills and their relationship with the young person. If you or someone you know has experienced trauma, TF-CBT could be a helpful treatment option.
Who is eligible for this service?
→ Youth aged 3-18 that have experienced trauma and have a PTSD diagnosis and/or other resulting symptoms and trauma impacts.
→ Youth must reside in Miami-Dade County
Contact Info:
Irene Alvarez, LCSW
Director of Clinical Services
irene.alvarez@cayugacenters.org
Make a referral:
miamireferrals@cayugacenters.org
Funded by Florida International University
Cayuga Centers has an extraordinary history spanning 170 years serving children and families. Read through our journey that led us to serve the Miami-Dade community. Learn about our history.
We have proudly provided the South Florida community with quality services and care since 2015. Serving Palm Beach County, Broward County, and The Treasure Coast. Learn about our Treatment Family Foster Care services.
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