Family Support Program of Albemarle County February, 2010

Family Support Program of Albemarle County The Family Support Program of Albemarle County is the result of a unique collaboration between local government and the school system of the County. Family Support is an innovative prevention and early intervention program in County elementary and middle schools that supports children’s growth and development, strengthens family alliances and promotes school success through home, school and community collaboration.

Family Support Program of Albemarle County A key feature of the program is the location of social workers employed by local government (Department of Social Services) within the County school buildings. Family Support was designed and developed to provide long-term solutions to increasing numbers of child abuse and neglect cases, foster care, other costly out-of- home placements and juvenile delinquency cases witnessed in the county.

Family Support Program of Albemarle County Family Support Workers address these safety concerns as well as create a bridge between home and school that opens the way for parents to feel welcome and empowered to participate in their children’s education so that the children are ready to learn and be successful in school.

Family Support Program of Albemarle County The impetus for this new program came from: –Data that showed increasing numbers of children going into foster care over a ten year period from 1988 – 1998 –Rising numbers of abuse and neglect complaints reported to Child Protective Services and –Requests from the schools for help with children who presented with serious emotional/behavioral problems and extensive social services needs that impacted their learning. The County proposed to incorporate a consortium of early intervention programs into this new initiative to provide a continuum of services to at-risk children and families from birth through the elementary grades.

Family Support Program of Albemarle County The Board of Supervisors approved a new Department of Social Services pilot program that would provide family support to at-risk children and their families in all Albemarle County School Division elementary schools at their meeting on June 17, Albemarle County responded to the unique and exciting opportunity to pilot an extensive prevention program, with the leadership of the Assistant County Executive, Social Services Director and the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Family Support Program of Albemarle County A team from the Department of Social Services, local government and the school division developed the program design and provided start-up policies and training. Family Support Workers were allocated to the Department of Social Services, which also provided fiscal, program and management oversight. Family Support Workers were located in the schools, and not in the Department of Social Services office, in order to be a more direct resource to children, parents and teachers.

Family Support Program of Albemarle County The mission of the Family Support Program of Albemarle County is to provide prevention and intervention services that support children's growth and development, strengthen families and promote school success through home, school and community collaboration.

Family Support Program of Albemarle County Work with parents to enhance their parenting skills Help eligible families manage crisis situationsHelp eligible families manage crisis situations Work w/ families to develop effective problem-solving Link families with community resources and assist them in developing their own resourcesLink families with community resources and assist them in developing their own resources Act as a bridge to facilitate open communication between home and school Support families in achieving their goals for self- sufficiency, i.e. completing their educational goals and accessing resources to locate available housingSupport families in achieving their goals for self- sufficiency, i.e. completing their educational goals and accessing resources to locate available housing Act as a family advocate by attending school meetings Support Parents in meeting their child's physical, emotional, social, leisure and recreational needsSupport Parents in meeting their child's physical, emotional, social, leisure and recreational needs Support the children in their academic achievement

Family Support Program of Albemarle County Four Years of Family Support Program Outcomes: Family Support Workers have served an average of 167 children each yearFamily Support Workers have served an average of 167 children each year 85% of the children received free or reduced lunch throughout the course of the program85% of the children received free or reduced lunch throughout the course of the program Of those children whose behavior was an issue, 69% showed improvement in their behaviorOf those children whose behavior was an issue, 69% showed improvement in their behavior Of those children whose attendance was an issue, 65% showed improved school attendanceOf those children whose attendance was an issue, 65% showed improved school attendance Of those children who were identified as having academic issues, 68% showed academic improvementOf those children who were identified as having academic issues, 68% showed academic improvement

Family Support Program of Albemarle County

Other factors: In FY08 87% of the children were not involved with Child Protective Services (safety and security of the children) In FY08 99% of the children served remained in their own homes and were not involved with the foster care system

Family Support Program of Albemarle County

Feedback from program participants Annual surveys are given to families served by the Family Support Program. The 2008 parent survey indicated that: –95% of the parents strongly agreed that they felt that their Family Support Worker gave them hope –92% strongly agreed that they benefited from the Family Support Program –92% strongly agreed that they would recommend the Family Support Program to a friend, relative and neighbor

Family Support Program of Albemarle County Family Support Workers are located at 10 elementary and 3 middle schools

Family Support Program of Albemarle County Reduction of $190,000 Reduction of 3.5 Positions –Remaining 8 Bright Stars Workers (40% BS / 60% Family Support) 4 “Pure” Family Support Workers Split schools

Family Support Program of Albemarle County Realignment of resources –DSS - “Pulling back” from middle schools –Limiting follow-up to Bright Stars “alumni” –Review of data to determine allocation of resources (i.e. CPS referrals, SES demographics, foster care trends) –Safe Schools Grant will help compensate 1 Full time social worker for each Middle School Part time psychologists working in the Division