Safe Place Program

Program Details

The City of Oviedo Fire Department is pleased to be an active participant in the Safe Place Program in the Oviedo community. The Safe Place Program provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for all young people in crisis through a network of sites sustained by qualified agencies, trained volunteers, and businesses.

Oviedo Fire Station "Safe Place" Locations

• Oviedo Fire Station 46
• Oviedo Fire Station 48

Process

• A youth in crisis walks into a designated Safe Place location (identified by a Safe Place sign or decal) and tells the first available employee that they need Safe Place help.
• The employee will find a quiet, comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the local Safe Place contact.
• The Safe Place contact will call the location back to identify the volunteer or staff member who will come to meet the young person at the location.
• Ideally, within 20 to 30 minutes, the Safe Place volunteer or staff member will arrive to talk with the youth and transport him or her to the agency for counseling, support, a place to stay or other resources.
• Once at the agency, counselors meet with the youth and provide support, resources, and help. They make sure the youth and their families receive the help and professional referrals they need. (Family members or guardians are called to let them know that their youth is safe.) The youth-serving agency helps the youth and the family through a difficult time or crisis situation through counseling and support services.

Most young people hear about Safe Place during school presentations. Each student is presented with a Safe Place information card. This card has the local Safe Place phone number and tells them that Safe Place's help is free and confidential. Teens also hear about the program through word of mouth and public service announcements on radio or TV.