Child Welfare Services:
Provided to families who have requested assistance with family struggles such as truancy, parent/child conflict, and/or child behavioral challenges. The first choice of intervention is to provide services that strengthen and empower the child’s own family. There are situations that occur in which “the best interests of the child” may indicate the need for out of home placement. When necessary, these are done in a least restrictive manner to help strengthen and preserve the family unit. Child Welfare assists the family with developing a case plan, assessing the entire family, and delivering services to maintain and/or reunify the family.
Minor Parent Services:
Provided to assist the pregnant and/or parenting minor parent (under age 18) to create a plan for the parent and the child to ensure their safety and well-being. This program helps connect the minor parent to appropriate resources.
Eligibility:
- Teens under the age of 18 and in their third trimester or pregnancy;
- Teens under the age of 18 and already parenting;
- Teen mothers who have been identified on the 72 hour birth report (per MN Statute)
Services:
Outreach assistance to pregnant or parenting teens for service/resource referrals. Samples of outreach assistance are: counseling, financial and Medical Assistance, housing and child care options, paternity or Child Support services, and/or resource referrals to appropriate agencies to assist with decision making.
Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP):
Through a grant SWHHS was awarded an opportunity for the years 2005 through 2011 to help identify and serve at risk children. This grant allows families to voluntarily access support or services as a means to prevent child abuse and neglect. The program is available to families where at least 1 child is age 10 or under and there has been an identified need for assistance or case management.
Support for Emancipation and Living Functionally (SELF):
This is a program that makes Federal Title IV-E-IL funds available to counties and non-profit agencies. The funds are used for the development, implementation, and continuation of services designed to help older adolescents in substitute care prepare for the transition to independent living. Creative use of funds is encouraged, guided by the individual needs of each youth. Funds may be used to cover room and board, damage and utility deposits, or rent on apartments or dormitory rooms, but only for youth who “age out” of placement at age 18 or older.
SWHHS’ SELF group meets twice a month during the school year and weekly in the summer. We provide activities such as group and individual life skills training, retreats, wilderness trips, driver’s training, household supplies for a first apartment, career exploration and vocational assessment, college application fees, budgeting assistance and education, and employment skills training. Our program utilizes the Casey Life Skills Assessment as a means to track youth development through adolescence and incorporates needed skills into their Independent Living Skills Plan.
Transitional Services:
A program that serves ages 14-21 and focuses on living and life skills by preparing young people for successful transitions to adulthood (includes Support for Emancipation and Living Functionally – SELF).
Truancy Program:
Provided to families with school aged children that have been referred to our agency at truant usually after three unexcused absences. The case manager meets with the child and family to develop a plan to improve school attendance.
