PROGRAM & SERVICES

PROBLEM STATEMENT

A lack of adequate support and resources for biological parents and caregivers is a significant issue in the foster care system, often hindering reunification efforts. This gap adversely affects not only the parents but also the long-term well-being and stability of the children involved. Common challenges include:

• Limited access to parenting education and mental health services

• Financial hardship and unstable housing

• Lack of advocacy and legal support

• Difficulty navigating the complex, bureaucratic child welfare system

The current system places greater emphasis on child placement than on family preservation or reunification, contributing to increased rates of family separation, long-term foster care placement, and poor developmental outcomes for children.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

1. Support Services: Deliver tailored case management, parenting classes, housing and employment support, and mental health referrals.

2. Advocacy: Offer legal navigation assistance and policy advocacy for systemic reform to make reunification more attainable.

3. Education and Empowerment: Facilitate workshops and peer mentorship that build knowledge, resilience, and confidence in caregivers.

4. Community Engagement: Partner with local agencies, legal aid services, and schools to form a collaborative network of care.

5. Long-Term Impact: Reduce the length of out-of-home placements and improve family reunification rates.

TARGET POPULATION

• Biological parents and kinship caregivers of children involved in the child welfare system

• Families at risk of separation due to systemic barriers (e.g., poverty, lack of access to services)

• Primarily focused on underserved, low-income, and BIPOC families in [insert location, e.g., Charleston County, SC]

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

1. Family Reunification Support Program

   • Individualized service plans

   • Resource referrals (housing, employment, transportation)

   • Regular check-ins and progress monitoring

2. Parent Empowerment Workshops

   • Parenting skills and trauma-informed care

   • Financial literacy and job-readiness training

   • Stress management and emotional regulation

3. Advocacy and Legal Support Navigation

   • Assistance with court appearances and compliance with DSS service plans

   • Advocacy training for parents

4. Peer Mentorship Network

   • Support groups and mentoring from formerly system-involved parents who successfully reunified