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Connecting H.O.P.E.

Empowering Your Future

HOPE is an acronym for Healing, Opportunity, Perseverance, and Empowerment. We connect all of these in a supportive manner, through a host of specialized services designed to help you obtain employment.

This program engages and works with non-custodial parents who are unemployed or underemployed and have been court ordered to pay child support.
Parent with her kids.
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PEOPLE SERVED

How We Help You

APPLY

CAREER SEARCH

We help you search for careers in your field.

INTERVIEW TRAINING

We provide training so you can ace your interview.

REFERRALS

We help land you referrals to job opportunities.

RESUME WRITING

We help you have an effective resume written.

JOB RETENTION

We equip you with the skillset to retain your job.

CHILD SUPPORT HELP

We offer aid so you can support your children.
Training of Participants

Job Readiness

At the core of what we do, we're committed to helping you land a sustainable job. In addition to getting a job we want to make sure you're able to take care of your loved ones and feel good about standing on your own. Our program is a complete supportive approach – you get support, advocacy, training, and a job to support your family and boost your own confidence. We’ll teach you the skills you need to excel in today’s job world, making sure you’re ready for your career and life in general. With these skills, you'll be able to address child support obligations owed while taking care of yourself and your loved ones.

Personal Development

Recognizing the multifaceted nature of professional growth, we offer a diverse array of personal development workshops. These sessions cover an extensive range of topics, designed to resonate with the current demands of the career landscape. Each workshop is a step towards excellence, equipping you with the skills and insights necessary to navigate and excel in your professional journey.
Personal development work
Resources for Care Connections

Resource Assistance

In our endeavor to fully support your journey towards job readiness, we extend a comprehensive range of resource assistance. This includes, but is not limited to, essential provisions like food, clothing, and housing, as well as specialized services for child and youth welfare. Our effective network, established through strategic partnerships with local entities and collaborations with the Florida Department of Commerce and the Florida Department of Revenue, ensures that you have access to a robust support system every step of the way.

Interested in our Program? 
Contact Us!

Let us know about any questions you may have regarding Connecting H.O.P.E or the area in your life where there is need. We look forward to hearing from you and providing any resources available to help you.
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Please note that this is for Parents who currently owe Child Support and have an active case in the State of Florida
Frequently Asked Questions

Connecting H.O.P.E. Program

Learn more about Connecting H.O.P.E., who is eligible, what services are provided, and how to enroll.

Connecting H.O.P.E. (Healing, Opportunity, Perseverance, Empowerment) is a workforce development program designed specifically for parents in the State of Florida on child support — fathers and mothers who want to get back on their feet, find steady work, and show up stronger for their children.

We help remove the barriers standing between our participants and stable employment, including support with job readiness, child support navigation, and family stability.

The program serves parents on child support who are unemployed or underemployed and have an active child support case and/or have child support arrears.

Most participants are referred through the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR), though community partners and self-referrals are also welcome.

Connecting H.O.P.E. serves 8 counties: Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, Polk, Volusia, Sumter, and Putnam.

Participants are typically referred by the Florida Department of Revenue as part of a child support case.

Community members, partner organizations, and individuals can also reach out directly to Cornerstone Connections to ask about enrollment and eligibility.

Once enrolled, participants join a two-week program cycle.

Week 1: Virtual group workshops Tuesday–Friday, 10:00–11:30 AM, covering orientation, employment readiness, resume building, interview prep, conflict resolution, co-parenting communication, parenting skills, and job search strategies.

Week 2: One-on-one services, including finalizing an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) with an Employment Specialist, case management and barrier assessment, and connection to family/parenting support through our partner OCHR (Our Children Have Rights).

An IEP is a personalized roadmap built together with a participant's Employment Specialist.

It identifies the participant's employment goals, the barriers in their way, and the concrete steps to get there — along with ongoing coaching and job search support.

Through our Enhanced Services program, eligible participants may receive help with transportation, work clothing and uniforms, tools and equipment, certification and training fees, ID and legal documents, and background check fees.

Support may include bus passes, gas cards, uniforms, OSHA or CDL prep fees, and other approved employment-related needs. All requests are reviewed and approved by the Program Manager.

Yes. Connecting H.O.P.E. is built around the understanding that stable employment and family stability go hand in hand.

Through our partnership with Our Children Have Rights (OCHR), participants can access one-on-one parenting plan support, co-parenting communication coaching, and guidance navigating child support modifications.

No. Connecting H.O.P.E. is a free state-funded program.

You can reach the Connecting H.O.P.E. team by phone at (888) 306-4477 or by email at [email protected].

More information is also available at cornerstoneconnections.org.

Yes, in many cases. Participants seeking re-enrollment should contact the Florida Department of Revenue directly to request a new referral, since eligibility for re-enrollment is determined by DOR.

Success is measured through real outcomes: participants entering and retaining employment, completing their Individual Employment Plans, earning credentials, and making consistent progress toward child support compliance and family stability.

Care Connections

This case management program is supported and funded by Orange County open to all Orange County residents. We provide support and assistance to individuals and families in need of services such as food, housing, clothing, job search, access to wifi and computers, etc.
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Care Connections
Community Clothing Closet

Community Clothing Closet

We take donations (new and gently used only) of clothing for men, women, and children in need. You can be part of this program if you are in need. Appointments are required for this program.
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Family Connections

This parenting program is supported and funded by Orange County that utilizes whole family engagement to build stronger parental/child relationships focused in the communities surrounding Azalea Park and South Semoran.
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Group networking event

Employment Connections

Develop the skills you need for success with our free job readiness programs! Gain hands-on experience, expert-led training, and interactive activities to help you excel in your career journey.
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Connecting Fathers

Connecting Fathers, Connecting Families is a transformative program designed to strengthen fathers and families across Central Florida through Peer Support Groups, Co-Parenting Education, and Individualized Case Management.
Learn More
Father with Son bonding in the park.
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