Q: What does Brehon mean?
A: The people of ancient Ireland felt it was a privilege to offer a roof, sustenance, warmth and welcome to travelers. The Brehon Laws stated that citizens should “offer hospitality to anyone who happened upon their dwelling place.” Brehon believes in carrying on this tradition by being a refuge where families are welcomed and nurtured.
Q: What programs do you offer?
A: Project S.A.F.E Madison/Taylor, Brehon House, and Healthy Families Gadsden/Leon. S.A.F.E. stands for Support and Family Education.
Q: What is the purpose of Healthy Families Gadsden/Leon?
A: Healthy Families Gadsden and Healthy Families Leon are part of Healthy Families Florida, a statewide, community-based, voluntary home visiting program that promotes positive parent-child interaction and child growth and development. This program is designed to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Q: How many families have been helped by Healthy Families Gadsden/Leon?
A: Last year, Healthy Families provided weekly in-home parent education/support to 465 individuals in Gadsden county and 508 individuals in Leon county.
Q: How many people have been helped by Project S.A.F.E.?
A: Project S.A.F.E. (which stands for Support and Family Education) provides individual case management and in-home parenting education and support services to 300 people in Madison and Taylor counties.
Q: What kind of success does Project S.A.F.E. have?
A: When families accept services, they work with their trained case manager to identify their own reasonable and attainable goals. Of the families that completed services, 100 percent have met 80 percent or more of their goals.
Q: When are these services made available?
A: Brehon House services are available prior to birth until the baby is three months of age. Healthy Families Gadsden/Leon serves women during their pregnancy or families with a newborn up to three months of age at the time of enrollment. Healthy Families Gadsden/Leon can serve families for up to five years, depending on the needs of the family.
Q: How much do these services cost clients?
A: The services available to these families are offered at no cost thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
Q: Where does Brehon get funding?
A: Brehon is funded by The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, Partnership for Strong Families, the Florida Department of Children and Families, the United Way of the Big Bend, the City of Tallahassee, the Leon County Commission and various foundation and private contributors.
Q: How many people does Brehon help each year?
A: Each year Brehon helps over 1,200 people with basic needs, shelter, family support and parenting education.
- What are your office hours?
- We are open Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Q: What is Brehon House?
A: Brehon House is transitional housing in Tallahassee that provides safe housing for homeless pregnant women and their infants. The women are permitted to bring children three years or younger to live with them. These women and their children are provided a stable, nurturing, safe and loving environment.
Q: How many women does Brehon House accommodate?
A: Brehon House can accommodate six women plus their newborns and toddlers at any given time.
Q: What is the cost to the women at Brehon House?
A: All services are provided to the client at no cost.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements for Brehon House?
A: The clients must be at least 18 years of age, pregnant at the time of their enrollment, currently homeless or living in a dangerous environment from which they wish to escape, have no criminal history that would pose a danger to themselves or others, and be willing to abide by the house rules.
Q: How long is the average stay at Brehon House?
A: The average stay at Brehon House is five months. 100 percent of Brehon House residents moved into more permanent housing following their stay at Brehon House.
Q: How many women has Brehon House helped?
A: Last year, Brehon House provided support services to 26 homeless, pregnant women and infants. Approximately 2,000 referrals were made to other medical or social services providers to enable clients to meet their individual service plan goals. Additionally, 100 percent of the residents delivered healthy babies. Community involvement included over 100 hours of volunteer time donated to Brehon House.
We hope these frequently asked questions give you more insight into what we do here at Brehon Family Services. If you have further questions, please contact us here.