CSF (Community Services for Families)
THE NEED:
According to the Centers for Disease Control, at least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year.
PROGRAM SUMMARY:
Community Services for Families provides free in-home family support services that help parents promote healthy child development in a stable and nurturing home environment.
PROGRAM SERVICES:
Community Services for Families helps parents resolve urgent family issues and connects them with services that ensure children can remain safely in their homes. Services are designed to address the specific needs of each family and can include:
Parent Partners guide families through the beginning stages of their case. Parent Partners are individuals who have successfully navigated the Child Welfare System and have the experience needed to help families who are new to the process. Parent Partners educate parents about the system and help them obtain the services they need. Due to their journey, the Parent Partner possesses a unique perspective that can provide guidance to parents through the beginning stages of their case. This service is short-term (2-6 meetings).
Family Support Clinicians serve families with children ages 0-5 who have been referred for services due to domestic violence. The Clinician screens each client for mental health, alcohol/substance abuse, and domestic violence issues. Interventions are family-centered, strengths-based, and needs-driven with individualized services for children, youth, and their families. Clinicians share their recommendations with Child Welfare Services Social Workers with a focus on strengthening family functioning and ensuring child safety.
Family Support Partners work directly with families in their home – providing in-home parenting to help increase and enhance parenting skills, to meet children’s primary needs, and provide parents with resources. This program is also available to any parents who are feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or alone and want to improve their parenting skills. Community Services for Families also offers an intensive, evidence-based parenting education curriculum known as SafeCare that focuses on health, home safety, and parent-child interaction. Parents will receive one of two evidence-based parenting education models (SafeCare or Systemic Training for Effective Parenting) depending on the age of the children. Additionally, a new Healthy Relationships module is offered to those clients that qualify.
Group Parent Education: An 8-week court-approved parenting class that utilizes the Systemic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) curriculum.
WHO WE HELP:
Community Services for Families works with parents who have an open or closed Child Welfare Services case as well as any parents who are interested in improving their parenting skills. Core funding for the program is provided by the County of San Diego, Health & Human Services Agency.
OUR IMPACT:
Last year Community Services for Families served 427 families; 96% of parents in the Community Services for Families program improved their parenting skills and ability to provide a safe environment for their child/children.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Families who turn to Lifeline for help are often in need of the basics: grocery money, diapers, and transportation. Your support can help parents in need build the skills they need to become happy, resilient families. Please click here to donate today!