Family Services

Family Services Programs utilize a solution focused, strength-based, wraparound approach, integrating the individualized needs and strengths of each family. Families resolve current crises, learn proactive strategies to avoid crises, improve parenting and problem-solving skills and have increased access to community and natural supports. Family Services may include up to three months of in-home counseling and support services for each family. The ultimate goal is to help families build on their strengths and connection to their community to live together safely and successfully.

Independent Contract Therapists provide home, community and school-based services with families. Outcomes are individualized to each family and may include: improving child safety and well-being, connecting families to natural and community resources, improving parenting skills, reducing risk factors, preventing out-of-home care placements, safely reunifying children back into their families from out-of-home care, identification of mental health and substance abuse needs and reducing family crises. Therapists coordinate Family Teams that combine family members, friends and other significant people in the family’s life with professionals, such as those from schools, mental health organizations, juvenile justice agencies, social workers, etc.

Our Commitment to Families: We approach our work with families in a respectful manner. We do not believe families are broken and/or need fixing. We understand participants are parents who care deeply for their child(ren) and we will work diligently to support participants in their efforts to keep their family together. We believe all children deserve – and are healthiest – growing up in families that provide nurturing, basic safety and a commitment to permanent care.

Family Service Programs
How to Access Services

FAMILY PRESERVATION
Families are referred for Family Preservation services by a Child Protective Services Social Worker. The ultimate goal of these services is to establish or restore safety in the child’s home. Outcomes include increasing child safety and well-being and deterring further incidents of child abuse and neglect.

FAMILY REUNIFICATION
Families of youth age 12-18 in the Office of Homeless Youth programs and other similarly typed housing/homeless assistance programs may access these services directly or by having their service provider make a referral.

ADOPTION SUPPORT
Families may refer themselves for these services by notifying their CA Support Adoption Worker that they would like to receive these services through Community Youth Services. The Adoption Support Worker will create an authorized service referral that the family will then provide to their therapist.

REFERRALS

Please contact

Krista Green, Interim Family Services Supervisor, at kgreen@communityyouthservices.org ,

or

LaNaia Colbert, Executive Clinical Director, at lcolbert@communityyouthservices.org 

for questions about the program or referrals to Family Services.