Family Preservation & Support

  • FOCUS (Located in Dothan, AL) - Our guiding philosophy is that it is usually best for for children to be able to stay with their own families, and for families to learn how to handle their own problems in a healthy, loving way. While the FOCUS program is not a cure for the struggles of family life, it is a successful program that teaches, challenges, and helps families to learn the skills they need to stay together and help each other grow successfully.

    FOCUS is in intensive in-home intervention program. For a period of three to four months, our skilled and highly-qualified staff help alleviate conditions within the home where removal of children from the home is immenent. The program also provides services in situations where children have been removed from their homes and where ultimate reunification with parents or other relatives is desired.

    Our goal is to preserve and reunify families while ensuring the safety of children and helping families to learn new skills that will help them stay together.

    FOCUS is funded by the Alabama Dept. of Human Resources through the Family Preservation and Support Services Act, and by private donations to the United Methodist Children’s Home.

    Back to top

  • Comprehensive Family Support Services (Located in Andalusia, AL) - We believe that, with the proper resources, families can be empowered to resolve their own conflicts and develop more positive relationships. With hands-on skills training, we strive to establish a supportive environment that leaves families with the tools to succeed.

    The primary goal of Comprehensive Family Support Services is to keep families together. We offer long term assistance and develop a plan of care for each family based on its particular needs. Our qualified staff teaches behavior management skills, anger control, self-esteem, positive communication, effective discipline strategies and independent living skills. We also meet basic survival needs of safety, security and shelter.

    Typically, clients are families who have a pattern of chronic insufficiency. Each caseworker works with up to three families, helping them to set goals, and reviewing and revising services weekly.

    Each family is unique. Therefore, our services are individualized. Our qualified team prepares and implements services, using behavioral aides and our licensed counseling staff when appropriate. These caregivers provide services that engage the family and that develop satisfying family bonds. Working a flexible schedule to accommodate families’ needs, each worker spends at least 30 hours per week providing direct intervention. A family’s enrollment in the program usually lasts one to two years.

    The program’s great flexibility allows us to do what is necessary to eliminate a family’s dependence upon the welfare system, and to help them successfully reach their goal of self-sufficiency. This treatment planning includes education, assisting families with coping skills, and helping members function more effectively within the family system.

    Back to top