Start Off Smart, Inc.

Start Off Smart is a non-profit agency dedicated to serving the residents of South Miami-Dade County. Working closely with the Homestead Police Department we aim to unite law enforcement and human services in our mission to support victims of crimes. This combination of services forms the foundation of our holistic approach to addressing the community’s needs. At SOS, we operate as a cohesive, multidisciplinary team that coordinates various community-based services.

SOS offers a range of programs tailored to address various needs in our community. In addition to these programs, we partner with the Homestead Police Department’s community policing unit to host educational and resourceful events within our community. Furthermore, SOS maintains a storage room stocked with donated essentials like diapers, baby food, clothing, non-perishable food, and more, available to anyone in need.

Our strategy addresses the root cause of behaviors, in order to lower both crime rates and the need for the same services to be repeated. SOS utilizes the best practice of Care Coordination that begins at program intake and involves creating a plan specifically tailored to meet the needs of families and youth. This plan is developed together with the family and serves as a roadmap to set clear goals, arrange various services (like clinical support), address safety concerns, and garner family support. Plans are regularly updated based on the families’ engagement and until services are completed.