Family Preservation Services
What we do
FPS provides intensive, in-home, crisis intervention & family education to families who have a presenting crisis where their children are at risk of abuse, neglect, or out-of-home placement; or to families whose children are scheduled to be reunified within 30 days; or to resource parents who need assistance to stabilize the children in their family’s care.
Program Goals
- Child Safety
- Family Stabilization
- Placement Prevention
- Improved Family Functioning
- Linkage to Community Resources
Program Features
Quick Response & Intensive Services
Initial visits with the family are conducted within 24 hours of referral, and families receive 5 to 20 hours of direct face to face contact each week, with no less than 3 sessions per week.
Immediate Accessibility
Families can contact FPS staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Family Centered & Strength Based
Services are designed to engage all family members, to empower them, and to build on their strengths.
Goal Directed & Skill Based Interventions
In partnership between the family, Department of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P), and FPS, the goals are developed to address the problems that led to crisis, and skills are taught in positive ways to improve family functioning. Services provided by FPS include:
- Safety Strategies
- Household Management
- Budget/Finance Management
- Structuring Daily Routines/ Time Mgmt
- Concrete Services (food, shelter, clothing)
- Parenting Skills
- Behavior Management
- Communication Skills
- Anger Management/ Conflict Resolution
- Stress Management/ Coping Skills
- Support Substance Recovery
- Support Mental Health Treatment
- Support Health/ Medical Care
- Employment Assistance
- Accessing Community/ Natural Resource
Time Limited & Thorough Follow Up
Families receive 4 to 8 weeks of intensive service, and receive a follow up call at 3, 6, and 12 months after completion of the FPS intervention.
Referral Process
Direct referrals from the community are not accepted. New Jersey Department of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P) is the only referring agency for FPS. DCP&P Local Office will screen referrals for appropriateness.
The Criteria for FPS:
- The child can remain safely in the home with intensive services.
- The family has agreed to participate.
- Other less intensive services will not reduce the risk or are unavailable.