Family Works

Program Overview

Family Works is a leading in-home support program in the St. Louis area, offering high-quality therapeutic services to address the underlying issues affecting foster, adoptive, and guardianship families. Unlike surface-level interventions, we provide a tailored and individualized approach to guide families through their challenges. We empower parents to cultivate understanding and empathy in their relationship with their children, bridging the gap between them.

Our dedicated team of specialists is here to support parents in their foster, adoptive, or guardianship parenting journeys. By deepening parents’ understanding of their child’s behavior, we strengthen family relationships, fostering a sense of mutual appreciation and connection. Our role encompasses advocacy, education, empathy, and healing, providing families with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate the challenges they face.

Eligibility

  • Foster/adoptive/guardianship parents caring for a child with a trauma history and/or elevated needs who need compassionate guidance in navigating challenging relationships.
  • Residency in St. Louis City and the counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Warren.
  • The child is between the ages of 3 and 19 years.

What to Expect

Through this program, caregivers are provided support, skills, validation, and psychoeducation to remain open and engaged with youth, even during challenging behaviors, thereby creating a safe haven for growth and healing. We incorporate the principles of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) into our work, infusing playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy (PACE) into our sessions with parents. We coach parents on using these therapeutic parenting skills to help strengthen relationships with the youth in their homes. We also provide psychoeducation to parents and caregivers about developmental trauma, attachment, identity development, grief and loss, and adoption issues.

The process begins with a call from an assigned specialist, who provides a high-level overview of expectations. Families then schedule their first session with the specialist, initiating the support process. Over the course of 9 to 12 months, the specialist works closely with the family 1-2 hours per week to cocreate goals while building a relationship based on trust and understanding. In the initial 30 days, crisis support, and resources are provided. Our specialists accompany families to Family Support Team Meetings (FSTs) or court as needed, offering advocacy and educating parents on their rights.

Program Goals

One of our primary goals is to educate families about trauma and provide ongoing support. By doing so, we aim to strengthen relationships and stabilize placements. As a result of our comprehensive support and advocacy, families no longer feel alone and uninformed about the processes and procedures they must adhere to. They receive the guidance they need to best represent their needs and rights and handle their child’s big emotions and adverse behaviors.

Family Works is committed to empowering families, ensuring they have the resources and support necessary to thrive. Through our program, families can overcome challenges, build stronger relationships, and achieve stability and confidence in their parenting journey.

Contact

Hannah Woods – Director of Family Works
1750 South Brentwood Boulevard, Suite 210, Saint Louis, MO 63144
o 314.367.8373
e hannahwoods@foster-adopt.org

    Family Works Inquiry Form

    Name (Required)

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