Family Service and Childrens Aid

Behavioral Health: The agency provides mental health and substance abuse counseling and support services for adults as well as adolescents/youth who are experiencing substance use disorders and mental health issues through individual, group, or family sessions. An Enhanced Womens Specialty services program is only one of five in Michigan. Therapists help families and individuals resolve problems related to a plethora of social, emotional, and mental struggles - problems which if left unresolved can be both socially and economically devastating. Person centered treatment goals are oriented toward an achievement of increased autonomy. Mental health counseling is also offered in designated schools within the county as well as Jackson College. The agency also offers employees assistance through its Employee Resource Network (ERN) services to participating private companies.

Child Welfare Adoption and Foster Care: The Foster Care program provides temporary placement for children who have been removed from their homes by the courts due to parental abuse or neglect. The program recruits, screens, and trains foster parents prior to matching them with these children. The agency has licensing and case management staff that provide support, information, and referrals to foster parents in a timely manner. We provide 24-hour emergency assistance. The Adoption program provides permanent homes for children who have been released by their biological families because of abuse or neglect.

Community and Youth Services: The Trauma Support Network (TSN) focuses on delivering trauma-focused trainings within the community to increase the understanding of the physical and emotional impact trauma has on individuals, particularly children. The TSN mission is to promote evidence-based practices and models that would apply to targeted professionals, to include educators, health professionals, mental health clinicians, law enforcement, etc. The Guardian program offers guardianship services within Jackson County for adults who are unable to protect their own interests and are, therefore, vulnerable to exploitation, neglect, or injury. The guardianship is appointed by the probate court and the Agency takes legal responsibility for the physical and/or financial care of the person. The Guardian Wraparound Program services at-risk vulnerable adults that are in need of services and supports. Through a team approach, service coordination and least restrictive permanency planning takes place to ensure their needs are met. Parent Education program offers classes free of charge to anyone wanting to learn how to become a better parent. Eight-week cycles that parents can join at any time are offered using The Nurturing Parenting curriculum. The Breakout Drug Education program provides eight days of school-based alcohol and drug prevention education for adolescents in grades 6-10. Staff also are available for presentations and workshops to parents, local businesses, and the community at large. The J.U.M.P (Just Understand My Potential) program is a youth diversion program that gives youth a second chance after making a mistake. The program includes classes for youth and their parent/guardian which develop skills for positive familial relationships, health and financial benefits of an alcohol and drug-free lifestyle, and methods for dealing with stress and resolving conflicts. The two ways that one can be involved in the program are through school/parent referrals or court referrals. The program offers first-time offending youth the opportunity to be diverted from formal court sanctions with an opportunity to have their criminal record sealed.