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What Local Programs are Available to Help Prevent Child Abuse?
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
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In 2021, a total of 2,731 children and 1,659 families received preventive services through the Child and Family Services Division of the Monroe County Department of Human Services. Those high numbers demonstrate the critical need for the plentiful support programs available in our community.
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In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we highlight two local agencies, their preventive programs, and the important work caseworkers do day in and day out for children and families in need.
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“Our ultimate goal is to help stabilize the home setting for children and families,” said Administrative Caseworker Lynn White, an 18-year veteran with Monroe County DHS. To that end, Monroe County currently contracts with 11 different agencies to offer 25 preventive programs.
White explained how the recent passing of the “Family First” legislation drives their work through its prioritization of three main objectives: connect children with kin whenever possible, reduce the placement of children in residential settings, and implement evidence-based preventive services.
“We measure the effectiveness of our programs if we are able to avoid children being placed in foster care,” said White, “or if we avoid a new case being indicated against the family, while the preventive service is open.” Based on this criteria, Monroe County’s programs averaged a combined success rate of 98% last year.
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“We recognize that families are doing the best they can,” said Kim Stacy, Program Manager of Prevent Services at Hillside. “We are there to support and help strengthen them through the crisis, and help prevent it in the future.”
Hillside offers three different programs under its Prevent Services: General Prevent Program, Family Preservation, and Intensive Family Support. Under the General Prevent Program, Hillside has the capacity to serve up to 162 families with an array of different needs at any given time. The average length of service is 9 months, although 4-5 months is often adequate. All programs bundle case management and counseling together, eliminating the need for multiple providers.
“Our programs allow clinicians to connect with families in their home setting,” said Stacy. “By removing any barriers to transportation and being able to lean into the conversation with families in their own homes, we are able to be more successful.”
Hillside’s clinicians are trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which often proves beneficial to children and parents alike, as intergenerational trauma can repeat itself. In addition, Hillside provides different layers of support for needs related to housing, education, mental health, domestic violence, therapeutic counseling, and parenting support.
“Our hope is that Hillside is in the family’s home before CPS has to be there,” said Stacy.
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Catholic Charities Family and Community Services (CCFCS)
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“The word prevention for us—in the spectrum of involvement—means preventing children from being removed from the home,” said Jennifer Berenson, Department Director of Children Youth and Family Services at Catholic Charities Family and Community Services. “Oftentimes, CPS is already involved with the family, so we want to prevent the situation from escalating.”
The Parents and Children Together (PACT) program offered by CCFCS serves families with children under age 18 who have been identified as being at-risk through the Monroe County Preventive Services Unit or Child Protective Services. The program has a capacity for 40 families, with services typically in place for 12-15 months.
Social workers begin by providing a needs assessment of the home and everyone in it to create a home-based counseling program. “Working with our partners at Monroe County, we create a plan that is family-driven with goals that are realistically attainable,” said Berenson, “at no cost to the family.”
Social workers triage the essential needs of the family by addressing mental health and chemical dependency issues. In-home services include parenting support delivered through modeling and education. They also advocate for the family with landlords and with school personnel for the children.
“Our goal is to stabilize and improve the home,” said Berenson, “so children can be safe.”
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Most referrals to these prevention programs come through CPS, but mandated reporters, other community members—even the families in need themselves—can make a referral by calling the Monroe County DHS Preventive Services Unit at (585) 753-5821. It is best practice to tell the family before you call that you are making a referral.
“Our community is rich in services,” said Stacy. “The power of developing a positive relationship (with the family) is often pivotal for success.”
Berenson, who has worked with CCFCS for 22 years, said, “It’s the little successes that keep us coming back (to help support families).” She witnessed how COVID-19 only exacerbated challenges for families who found themselves facing eviction and unemployment as a result. “During the pandemic, we continued to do home visits (wearing masks and social distancing), which made the work more difficult but rewarding.”
“We all want success,” said White, “but how each of us defines that may be different.” She credits one mother who she’s been involved with for close to 10 years as one of her success stories. “We do our best to engage families and find what works best for themselves and their children.”
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