What type of services do Family Preservation Programs typically offer?

Family Preservation Programs primarily focus on providing short-term, family-oriented interventions aimed at keeping families together and preventing the removal of children from their homes. These programs are designed to address immediate difficulties faced by families, such as crises due to parental substance abuse, mental health issues, or other factors that threaten family stability.

The emphasis is on strengthening family relationships and improving communication, functioning, and problem-solving skills among family members. By providing support and resources, these interventions help families develop coping strategies and improve their overall well-being, making it less likely that children will enter foster care or other out-of-home placements.

In contrast, other options generally do not align with the goals and methods of Family Preservation Programs. Long-term residential treatment typically involves more extensive and prolonged services, often removing individuals from their home environments, which is contrary to the preservation approach. Individual therapy sessions may focus on personal issues without a family context, while group therapy for children does not directly address the family dynamics and interactions that are critical to the work of Family Preservation Programs.