Family Support Services

Asking for help is one of the hardest things people can do. That’s why respect and empathy are cornerstones of Seamen’s Society Family Support Services.

When people ask for help for themselves or their families, we listen, provide support, educate, and offer care. 

Our goal in strengthening families is to keep children safely at home. Supporting parents and caretakers helps promote safety, permanency, and well-being for children in their own homes and communities. In addition to strengthening and improving family functioning, we work to reduce the likelihood of a child being placed into foster care.

What is included in the Family Support Services programs?

Seamen’s Society provides support in four areas:   

1. Case Management
2. Advocacy and support
3. Assessment and referral
4. Crisis intervention

These four areas are covered through two distinct programs.

Family Support Services includes working with families, on an individual and family level, to ensure the safety and well-being of all persons served. Seamen’s Society staff are trained in Solution-Based Casework, a well-researched and recognized approach to case management and successful outcomes for families.

Family Treatment and Rehabilitation is a strengths-based model of working with individuals, parents, caretakers, and youth who have or are suspected to have substance use and/or mental health disorders. The program addresses the safety and well-being of children within the home. The program takes a clinical approach to services and utilizes evidence-based instruments to assess families for services.  

How does Family Support Services work?

Our philosophy is simple: “Nothing is said about me without me.” 

Through all of our Family Support Services programs, children and families are an active part of the conversation. This ensures that we strengthen the family unit collectively through counseling and education. By doing so, we also help improve family functioning.

In addition to an open, inclusive dialogue, we strive to:

• Strengthen families through counseling and education so that parents and caretakers can keep their children safely in their homes.
• Educate parents and caretakers about the resources available to them like housing, financial and educational assistance.
• Improve family functioning in the areas of substance use, domestic violence, health and/or mental health services, child abuse/neglect parenting classes, that may affect their lives.
• Provide quality services to families in their native language whenever possible, with cultural competency and from a strength-based perspective.