Children’s System of Care

As part of Thriving Mind South Florida’s overall commitment to providing safety net services for mental health and substance use in community, we also provide a full array of services for children and youth.

Children’s Services

We work to ensure that families and individuals affected by mental illness and substance use disorders in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties can readily access innovative, effective, and compassionate services that lead to health and recovery. We do this because everyone is equally entitled to live with hope and lead meaningful lives.

Need Help?

For help with navigating our children’s services

Alisa Surenskaya
Children’s System of Care Manager
E-mail: asurenskaya@thrivingmind.org
Phone:786-280-2434

Resources

Click here

News

Thriving Mind funds only children’s short term residential program in state.

Learn more here.

Immediate Help

If you are experiencing a mental help crisis, Thriving Mind’s comprehensive crisis system is available to assist. Seek out help through our Mobile Response Teams, Florida 988 Lifeline, and seek respite at our Living Room.

988 Florida Lifeline
988 Florida Lifeline connects individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, substance use disorder, mental health crises, or any other kind of emotional distress to a crisis counselor in their immediate area. For more info, www.988FloridaLifeline.com.
24 Hrs / 7 Days
988
800-273-8255
Click to Chat
Mobile Response Teams in South Florida
An outreach service that provides mobile crisis intervention and assessment for children and adults.
24 Hrs / 7 Days
800-HELP-YOU
(800-435-7968) (Miami-Dade County)
305-434-7660
Opt. #8, (Monroe County)
Looking for treatment?
Crisis Stabilization Units
Crisis Stabilization Units provide brief psychiatric intervention with acute conditions. Inpatient stays vary. Then individuals return to home, or a long-term mental health facility.
Outpatient Therapy for Mental Health
Outpatient services include individual and/or group interventions such as therapy, psychiatric services, medication-assisted treatment and more.
Outpatient Therapy for Substance Use
Outpatient services include individual and/or group interventions such as therapy, psychiatric services, medication-assisted treatment and more.
NAMI-Peer Support
NAMI Miami-Dade provides a number of supports for individuals and families.
Community Mental Health Centers
A publicly funded, not-for-profit center which contracts with Thriving Mind South Florida for the provision of inpatient, outpatient, day treatment, or crisis services.
Looking for other help?
Wraparound Services

Wraparound services, often used in conjunction with services provided by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), are a comprehensive, child-centered, family-focused, strengths-based, and needs-driven planning process. These services aim to help children and families with complex needs stay in or return to their homes and communities, rather than in residential care. Questions? Email here.

  • Community Action Treatment (CAT) Teams
  • Family Intensive Teams (FIT)
  • Child Care Regulation Training (CCRT)
  • FACES
TIP Model

The Transition to Independence Process (TIP) model is an evidence-based practice used by the Florida Department of Children and Families and other agencies to support youth and young adults with emotional/behavioral difficulties. It focuses on helping these individuals develop the skills and resources needed for independent living and successful transitions to adulthood. Questions? Email here.

Assessments

Miami-Dade County Juvenile Services Department provides substance use treatment assessment for youth. Click here for contact info.

Contacts for Children’s System of Care

Alisa Surenskaya
Children's System of Care Manager
Contact by Email
(786) 280-2434
View Bio


Alisa Surenskaya, MSW, received her Master’s in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. She has over ten years of experience in child welfare, adult and juvenile justice; focusing on enhancing access to mental health and substance use recovery services. Prior to her current role at Children’s System of Care Manager, she was the Child Welfare Integration Coordinator at Thriving Mind and also worked for the 11th Judicial Circuit in Juvenile and Dependency Drug Court.

Maria Marino
Children's System of Care Specialist
Contact by Email
305-504-0900
View Bio

Maria is a passionate mental health professional with a strong background in trauma-informed care. She has worked in a variety of roles, including as a Prevention Education Specialist in the child sexual abuse field, a Mental Health Case Manager, and a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Therapist. Her experience includes supporting individuals with mental health and substance use challenges, as well as working with incarcerated populations. At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to helping people overcome trauma and build healthier, more empowered lives.

Nikki Batista
Children's System of Care Specialist
Contact by Email
305-519-0180
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