How a local organization keeps families in crisis together

When families are in crisis, the dominoes tend to fall quickly. A job loss may lead to food and housing insecurity, and parents may struggle to get by while also trying to keep their children with them and properly cared for.

That's where the Children's Home Society of North Carolina comes in. Its Family Preservation program gives parents resources to create a stable, secure home in an effort to keep families together. The program has helped keep 98% of kids in their homes, said Senior Program Director LaTosha Owens.

"Families in crisis are already at their lowest and often can't see a way to get out of crisis," said Owens. "It's our job to help them see a way through crisis by providing support, education, and usable resources."

The Family Preservation program receives direct referrals from the Department of Social Services or the Department of Health and Human Services. Within 24 hours, a program specialist visits the family's home.

"We interact with the entire family," said Owens. "Typically, it's not just one person making it hard. Everyone has their own set of issues going on."

Specialists are not therapists, but they are experts at working with families to find out what the issues are.

"Often, we act as a mediator, having individual conversations with each family member, getting to the root of the problem, and then bringing the people together," said Owens.

Many situations are beyond a family's control, Owens said. For example, losing a job or housing or not being able to pay for medical care are common issues. Even education limitations or undiagnosed mental health issues play a role. No matter the situation, specialists ensure families know they are on the same side.

"We don't pass judgment, but we let them know our goal is to be their partner to ensure their children don't enter foster care," said Owens.

The specialists follow what Owens calls a microwave approach to services: They work with families for four to six weeks to provide immediate, intense support.

Every family is different, so specialists do not force one-size-fits-all solutions.

"Our specialists are always trying to gear their response in an individualized way to meet the family's specific needs," said Owens.

That may include finding alternative housing for families living in dangerous environments, educating parents on proper discipline techniques, or connecting families to community resources to help them remain stable.

"If the problem is domestic violence, we might refer them to DV counseling," said Owens. "If it's unemployment, we will help them find employment. We meet them where they are — whether that be finding donated furniture, helping them get transportation or finding ways to deal with trauma and get through things."

Families are often overwhelmed so may feel like a specialist is just one more thing to worry about. However, by the end of the program, many end up wishing their specialist could stay forever, Owens says.

The program stays in touch by following up for six months to a year to ensure a family is still doing well and to provide further services when needed. Some families have called the program years later with updates about a child who has graduated or a family member who got a job they were working toward.

And the specialists support each other, too.

"They have their assigned cases, but it's all hands on deck, trying to help wherever they can help," said Owens.