Core Service Areas

Family Health Services Centers partner with families in five core service areas. Because programs are operated by different lead agencies and designed with input from participants, specific services vary from Center to Center.

Health and Well-being

All Centers work with parents to make sure their children have health insurance and access to immunizations and well-baby/pediatric visits. Several centers have nurses on staff. We also offer services to expectant mothers. Each year, more than 300 pregnant women are supported with prenatal health services/referrals and information about caring for an infant.  

Positive Parenting and Child Development
(including School Readiness)

Family Support Centers use Parents As Teachers (PAT)* – an evidence-based home visiting program recognized by the federal government. Through their involvement in PAT, parents work with a parent educator to gain knowledge that will help ensure that their children will learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential. In addition to our home visiting program, all Centers host classes and support groups where parents can share their experiences, learn about healthy child development, and explore positive parenting techniques.

All enrolled children under the age of 6 have access to free developmental screenings. Last year alone, more than 1500 children received these important screens. Screenings help parents learn about their child’s development, and they are critical to the timely identification of any problems. Children who are found to be at risk for delays are connected with appropriate early intervention services. By linking children to services at an early age, even those toddlers most at risk of poor outcomes can be prepared to start school on time and with any necessary supports.

Keeping Children Safe at Home / Family Preservation

Family Support Centers build protective factors that are proven to help prevent child abuse and promote positive outcomes. Centers partner directly with families involved with CYF to help them navigate the system and achieve their goals. Several Centers work with CYF to host supervised visitation and family team meetings. All families – whether CYF-involved or not – have access to a wide range of strength-based services and supports. Parents involved in Family Support set and achieve their own goals, expanding their social support networks and developing important life skills. Many Centers have fatherhood programs, and more than 800 dads are enrolled in Family Support each year. For families in need of more intensive services, centers provide referrals to crisis intervention and family counseling programs.

“You don’t have to have an issue like CYF to come to the Center. The Center is for everyone. Maybe you are just a parent that needs someplace to relate to other parents so that you don’t get so frustrated. I think it prevents child abuse because it is a place you can vent, get with other adults, and realize you are not alone and that other parents are struggling, too.”

— Family Support parent

Economic Self-Sufficiency

Parents who want help finding and keeping a job can participate in literacy, employment, and vocational training. Most Centers also offer other self-sufficiency services such as goal planning, budgeting, and problem-solving.

Easy Access to a Seamless and Comprehensive
Network of Services

When a Center doesn’t provide a specific service that a family needs, our staff is able to refer the family to the appropriate community resource. We link families to programs and services that assist families with needs such as adult education, mental health/substance abuse services, healthcare, housing resources, child care, employment services, transportation and much more.