The Family Connection Program addresses services necessary to achieve and/or maintain individual children in a family home and the community. All referrals must come from DCS. DCS children who are eligible for the Family Connection Program include: children ages 3 – 18 in selected counties;

● children diagnosed with a major mental illness;

● children with severe behavioral difficulties at home, school, and/or in the community;

● children at risk of entering state custody, experiencing a placement disruption or being stepped to a higher level of care;

● children that can be transitioned to a less intensive placement, local family member’s home or foster home; or

● children with imminent possibility of reunification, adoption or other permanency with the provision of this service.

Family Connection Program staff will provide participation, as requested, in contract utilization reviews conducted by DCS to assist in determining specific children to be served by this grant.

Family Connection Program staff will make sure that parents and family members are an integral part of the service system at all levels. Families will receive needed supports on all levels, parenting skills training, 24-hour crisis assistance, a complete strengths-based assessment, intensive, in-home therapeutic skill-building with the entire family and other needed services.