Prevention Programs

Kids Central is a statewide leader in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Our innovative programs provide targeted, short-term assistance to give families the support they need to remain healthy, happy, and whole. These efforts help stop abuse and neglect before they start – to the benefit of the entire community.

Kids Central believes investing in families upfront, before a call to the abuse hotline, reduces the likelihood the children will be abused or neglected and need help later. Under the leadership of John Cooper, Kids Central is focused on the identification of research-based and results-driven prevention and diversion programs.

Strengthen Families

The prevention of child abuse and neglect before it starts is the best hope for improving the lives of children and families. Strengthening families and preventing child abuse requires a shared commitment of individuals and organizations in every community. In only the last year, Kids Central served over 14,000 children in child abuse prevention programming.

Protect Children

Kids Central provides a number of prevention programs to meet the needs of the families served: Family Resource Centers, Kinship Care, Healthy Start, MIECHV, and Baby Sleep Basics services.

WE’RE HERE

To Help

At Kids Central, our mission of service, excellence, and caring is reflected in everything we do. We are dedicated to achieving measurable, positive outcomes for children and families in the Central Florida communities we serve. Please join us in creating brighter futures for children and families.

End Kids’ Tears Prevention Program

nd Kids’ Tears is a public awareness campaign established by Kids Central in 2009 to draw attention to the epidemic of child abuse in the local counties of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter.

Kinship Care

To meet the need of the over 14,000 children cared for by relatives in Circuit 5, Kids Central created Kids Central's Kinship Care Program. This comprehensive program is designed to keep children with families in safe, nurturing homes.

Baby Sleep Basics

What you need to know to give your baby a safe and restful sleep.
Domestic Violence Prevention

Specifically, to address the impact of domestic violence in Marion County, the Marion County Children’s Alliance recruited a family violence prevention coordinator to target the issue. Since 2005, the family violence prevention coordinator has worked in partnership with Kids Central to facilitate the Family Violence Prevention workgroup. The workgroup consists of representatives from a variety of social service, nonprofit and corporate agencies, …
Educational Advocacy

Kids Central’s Education Program provides a collaborative approach for foster children in Circuit 5 (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties) to identify unmet needs affecting school performance. Kids Central’s Educational Liaison manages all aspects of the collaborative team around the child’s academic success. Further collaboration exists within the Circuit 5 judiciary system, as academic …
Healthy Start

Healthy Start is a comprehensive program promoting optimal prenatal health and developmental outcomes for all pregnant women and babies in Florida. It is a free program that provides screenings for pregnant women and infants to identify those at risk of low birth weight, poor prenatal health and child abuse and neglect.
Pregnant Inmate Diversion

In 2013, Kids Central began a formal partnership with Lowell Correctional Institution and Advent Health Ocala in Marion County to divert children born to inmates from the formal child welfare system. All of Florida’s pregnant female inmates are transferred to Lowell Correction Center in Marion County. Lowell identifies expectant inmates and a Kids Central Family …

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IN THE

Community

Boot Scootin Fun For A Great Cause

Our annual Boot Scootin’ Fundraiser was held rain or shine this year, bringing line dancing, casino games, delicious food, and plenty of fun to the Ocala Downtown Market. Attendees kicked up their boots and even enjoyed line dancing to a custom-made Kids Central country western song. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, the …

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Company Retreat 2026

KCI Team Enjoys Company Retreat The Kids Central, Inc. team gathered at Hickory Point Park on Friday the 13th for our annual company retreat. It was a wonderful day filled with great food, fun activities, games, and plenty of time for connection and fellowship. It was especially meaningful to see colleagues catching up with familiar …

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Home for the Holidays

A Celebration of Forever Families On December 12, 2025, the spirit of the season filled the Ocala Courthouse as 18 children found their forever homes during our annual Home for the Holidays adoption event. These children were lovingly welcomed into 13 families and will now celebrate the holidays surrounded by the warmth, security, and joy …

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