The goal of the Family Strengths Program is to preserve families through in-home services that meet the individual needs of families referred to the Racine County Human Services Department. This program is family-based with services being provided in each family's home or in a community-based facility of the parents' choice. Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Families may be referred to this program because of potential child safety issues or, in the case of a youth in the juvenile justice system, for parental support and assistance with family patterns of interaction.

This program embraces a family enhancement philosophy that stresses that the family is the focal point and the fundamental resource for the provision of all services.

Program staff will conduct a family strength-based assessment and gather information about each family which includes the family's organization and structure, strengths, resources, adaptability, problem-solving methods, informal support network, child management, household management, and health needs. Each family's service plan needs to identify critical problem areas, establish realistic and measurable short-term and long-term goals and objectives, identify stages of change, plan intervention strategies, establish time frames and select resources. Service plans are realistic and achievable with goals prioritized and time frames spaced so the participants do not become overwhelmed. Families are transitioned toward discharge through gradually reducing the time involvement of program staff until a family is able to manage independently.

For information on the Family Strengths Program, contactKerry Milkie, Child Protective Services Supervisor.