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Family Services Division

The Family Services Division administers direct support to families through information and referral and case management services. The objectives of these services are to keep families together and reduce out-of-home placements; to reduce the incidence of substantiated child abuse and neglect cases; and to maximize the strengths of the families to live independently in the community.

Case Management Services
Services designed to stabilize families who may be in crisis or have various needs that need to be met. Case management is the core mechanism through which ERFSC identifies needs, coordinates and provides services and supports to children and families in the target neighborhoods. Examples of case management services are: intake screening/processing, home visits, risk/need/strengths-based assessment, advocacy, information and referral, linkages to resources, and case plan development.

Crisis Intervention
Is provided when a family is confronted with an emergency situation or circumstance that prompts the family to seek immediate attention from the agency. For example, electricity has been terminated and children are at risk in regard to safety, health and possible removal by the public child welfare agency.

Flex Funds
Limited dollars provided to families to assist in a crisis situation. These funds require a commitment on the family's part and can only be accessed once a year.

Family Team Decision Making Meetings (FTDM)
These meetings empower families by engaging them in the planning and decision- making process. At these meetings, the needs of the family are addressed and a family plan is developed which outlines specific goals, responsibilities and time lines. FTDM benefits include: increasing the variety of options for bringing about solutions; increasing the likelihood of matching appropriate services to needs;  increasing the capacity to overcome barriers; and creating a system of supports that will sustain the family over time.

Visitation Services
Designed to assist in reducing the amount of time a child spends in foster care by arranging visits between child(ren) and parent. A child friendly visitation atmosphere, supervised visits, transportation and observation reports are elements of this service.

Housing
ERFSC assists with community housing needs through an agreement with the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness (Options 2000) and the Emergency Shelter Grant. In February 2004, the ERFSC Options 2000 Program was presented in a documentary developed by the National Alliance for Homelessness for Best Practices during its National Awards Program at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Healthy Marriage Initiative
A partnership between ERFSC, East Capital Center for Change, and the Capital Area Asset Building Coalition that provides workshops, support groups, and other strategies to address issues that directly impact family relations. The goal is to enhance child and family well-being by strengthening parent relationships .

Family Development Credentialing (FDC)
A professional development course and credentialing program for front-line family support workers. The program uses a strengths-based approach to enhance skills and competencies needed to provide case management services. The FDC credential is available to partner agencies.