Family Support Services

“Keep the Focus on Protecting Children by Strengthening and Supporting Families”

Family Advocacy Center (FAC) services are offered through intensive case management.

These services are designed to assist families who are at risk of involvement, or have had contact with Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Services are also open to those who are in crisis and have a child under the age of 18 living in the home.

Some important points in order to receive services include:

  • Families already involved with DCFS must be referred by DCFS and either accept the service or express a willingness to begin receiving services. Any family may be excluded based on non-cooperation of the parent(s).
  • Families not involved with DCFS, but are at risk of becoming involved, can self-refer or be referred by another agency or organization.
  • Services are available for families in Winnebago and Boone Counties

Services include:

  • Development of a Goal Oriented Family Action Plan
  • Family Advocacy
  • Parenting Classes
  • Referral & Linkage to Services and Needed Resources
  • Direct Client Assistance
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Follow-Up Services

Overarching Goals

  • Prevent families from going into DCFS care
  • Help families in DCFS care reunite as soon as possible
  • Help families stay together

Family Advocacy Center Supervisor

815-968-9681 Ext. 208
info@ywcanwil.org

Parenting Education

The Nurturing Parenting program is a family-centered trauma-informed initiative designed to build nurturing parenting skills as an alternative to abusive and neglecting parenting and child-rearing practices.

Classes are offered one-on-one, depending on the needs of each parent or family. These classes give new strategies and self-confidence to parents who have been struggling with family management and discipline problems, as well as ineffective communication, poor family attachment, and parental use of punishment. Services include assessment, parent education, individual brief case management, and counseling referrals as needed.

The program is designed to service families who have multiple risk factors (e.g. poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence, unmet health needs, language barriers, isolation due to cultural barriers, lack of a support network, or other risk factors).

Participants are referred by various agencies or are self-referred. The program is open to the public.

There is no cost for this program and is available to all families who meet the eligibility requirements for the Family Advocacy Center (FAC).