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  • Supporting & Preserving Families

Supporting & Preserving Families

Families are central to child safety, permanency, and well-being, and all families need support. For families with limited resources, or those facing additional challenges, the need for assistance is even greater. This may include family support services, which refers to a range of supportive services for families with children, or family preservation services, which are more intensive services intended to preserve families at risk of disruption. Family support and family preservation services are part of a continuum of services that build upon the principles of family-centered practice with the goal of supporting and strengthening families. These principles include focusing on families' strengths, engaging families in planning and decision-making, and leveraging community-based services and supports on behalf of families.

This section provides examples of family support and preservation services, including in-home services and services for families with mental health needs and/or substance use disorders. It also offers resources for child welfare managers on family engagement, cultural competence, evaluation, evidence-based practice, funding, and training.

Introduction to family support and preservation
Provides an introduction to the field of family support and preservation services.

In-home services involved with child protection
Offers information and resources about the role of in-home services in supporting and preserving families.

Family support services
Provides information and resources about family support policy and program approaches; services for specific groups such as young parents, military families, and children and families of prisoners; referral and linkage to resources; and shared family care.

Family preservation services
Describes policy and program approaches to family preservation services and addresses intensive family preservation services.

Resources for managers of family support and preservation services
Offers tools for managers and administrators of family support and preservation services on engaging families, providing culturally competent services, and evaluating services. Resources also address evidence-based practice, funding, and training.

Supporting families with mental health and substance use disorders
Provides information about mental health and substance use disorders affecting parents and youth as well as assessment tools and treatment programs.

Selected Supporting & Preserving Families Resources

  • Reasonable Efforts to Preserve or Reunify Families and Achieve Permanency for Children
    Child Welfare Information Gateway
    (2020)
  • Parent Education to Strengthen Families and Prevent Child Maltreatment
    Child Welfare Information Gateway
    (2019)
  • Family Engagement: Partnering With Families to Improve Child Welfare Outcomes
    Child Welfare Information Gateway
    (2021)
  • 2021/2022 Prevention Resource Guide
    Child Welfare Information Gateway;Children's Bureau;FRIENDS National Resource Center For Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention
    (2021)

Find more in our Publications Catalog.

Spotlight On

California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare

FamilyFirstAct.Org

FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention

Pathways for Support

Casey Family Programs (2020)

Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse

Related Content

Family-Centered Practice

Kinship Care

Assessment

Cultural Responsiveness

Family Treatment Courts for Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders in Child Welfare

Frequently Asked Questions: Supporting & Preserving Families

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