These resources provide guidance on the critical elements and standards for providing family support and family preservation services, including in-home services, and offer State and local examples.
Council on Accreditation: Standards for Public Agencies
Council on Accreditation (2008)
Includes standards for agencies that provide two levels of service: family preservation and stabilization services, and intensive family preservation and stabilization services.
Intensive Family Reunification Services Protocol (PDF - 149 KB)
National Family Preservation Network (2003)
Developed by the National Family Preservation Network, this protocol provides an overview of the history, values and beliefs, program standards, research, public policy, and resources on safely and effectively reuniting families following out-of-home placement.
State and local examples
Missouri In-Home Services Standards of Practice (PDF - 119 KB)
National Family Preservation Network (2002)
Provides standards for administering intensive in-home services in Missouri, which are cited as a high-integrity model by the National Family Preservation Network.
Standards of Practice and Performance Workbook
Baltimore's Success By 6 Partnership. (2004)
Focuses on standards that include appreciation for family strengths, understanding the target population, relationships with family members, cultural competency, and staff qualifications. It was developed to help funded agencies assess adherence to best practices for supporting families with young children.