Family support services are community-based services that assist and support parents in their role as caregivers. Such services can take many different forms depending on the strengths and needs of the family, but their overarching goal is to help parents enhance skills and resolve problems to promote optimal child development. All families can benefit from support in some way; the principles of family support should be incorporated into casework across the child welfare service continuum.
Family support programs may address the general population or target particular groups, such as ethnic and cultural minorities; adolescent parents; kinship caregivers; or families facing health, mental health, or substance use issues. They can be comprehensive or focus on a specific goal. The resources in this section address broad family support approaches and services for certain groups. The box to the right lists other areas of the Information Gateway website that address a range of supportive services for families.
- Family support policy and program approaches
- Supporting young parents
- Supporting children and families affected by parental incarceration
- Referral and linkage to resources
- Shared family care
2-1-1.org
United Way
Offers a free, confidential hotline to connect people with local resources for food, employment, crisis support, health, and housing assistance.
FamilyFirstAct.Org
Provides an overview of the Family First Prevention Services Act, resources on topics related to the legislation, communication tools for promoting the website, and a calendar with upcoming related webinars and conference calls.
Family First Prevention Services Act: About the Law
FamilyFirstAct.org (2020)
Answers commonly asked questions about implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act for States and Tribes, including what the law states on eligible prevention services and programs, interjurisdictional placements, adoption assistance, child fatalities, and more.
Just In Time Parenting
Alabama Cooperative Extension System (2020)
Provides research-based information to families in factsheets and newsletters and connects parents to resources and expert advice based on their child's age.
National Parent Helpline®
Parents Anonymous® Inc.
Offers a call center and resources to provide parents and caregivers with emotional support.
On the Pathway of Hope
Casey Family Programs (2019)
Serves as a guide to help families and communities understand that the Family First Act is to help them work towards improving the safety of their children and strength of the community through prevention and resilience.