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 abuse 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.
2-1-1.org
United Way
Offers a free, confidential hotline to connect people with local resources for food, employment, crisis, health, and housing assistance.
A Complete Guide to the Family First Prevention Services Act
Kelly (2018)
The Chronicle of Social Change
Examines the Family First Prevention Services Act and offers an easy-to-understand analysis of its guidelines and implications.
Just In Time Parenting
Cooperative Extension System
Provides research-based information to families in factsheets and newsletters and connects parents to age-appropriate resources and expert advice.
National Parent Helpline®
Parents Anonymous® Inc.
Offers a call center and resources to provide parents and caregivers with emotional support.