Helping Parents Advocate for Their Children’s Well-Being
Developmental Understanding and Legal Collaboration for Everyone (DULCE)
DULCE is a compassionate, family-centered program designed to support infants from birth to one year of age by addressing their health and family needs within the pediatric care setting. Champions for Children partners with the Tampa Family Health Center’s Pediatric Center and provides DULCE’s services exclusively at the Osborne location.
DULCE focuses on the well-being of both infants and their families. By prioritizing parent-identified needs, connecting parents to support, and building trusting relationships—parents get the support they need to raise healthy children and advocate for their well-being.
DULCE is a compassionate, family-centered program designed to support infants from birth to one year of age by addressing their health and family needs within the pediatric care setting. Champions for Children partners with the Tampa Family Health Center’s Pediatric Center and provides DULCE’s services exclusively at the Osborne location.
DULCE focuses on the well-being of both infants and their families. By prioritizing parent-identified needs, connecting parents to support, and building trusting relationships—parents get the support they need to raise healthy children and advocate for their well-being.
The DULCE Approach
DULCE is…
1. A Community-Based, Early Childhood Organization
Champions for Children is a nonprofit that provides resources, support, and education for families and children and offers DULCE as an extension of services.
2. A Legal Partner
Bay Area Legal Services has been providing free civil legal services to low-income Tampa Bay area residents since 1967 and is a partner with Champions for Children’s DULCE program.
3. A Community Clinic
Tampa Family Health Centers is a nonprofit community health organization providing comprehensive, affordable healthcare services to underserved populations in the Tampa Bay area.
The DULCE Team
Through a unique team approach, DULCE brings together clinical experts, early childhood specialists, and legal professionals to ensure families receive the holistic care they deserve. Each week, Family Champions meet with families to review needs and offer personalized support.
- Family Champions include the following:
- A clinic administrator
- legal partner,
- mental health advocate,
- medical provider,
- early childhood systems representative,
- Family Specialist—meets weekly to review each family’s needs and offer personalized support.
DULCE is sponsored by Champions for Children and the State of Florida Department of Children and Families. This program is a program of the Center for the Study of Social Policy. To learn more, visit DULCE online at cssp.org/dulce.