Foster Care Prevention
Foster Care Prevention Services
Early Prevention Services Overview
Early Prevention Services provide support to families before a crisis occurs or in the absence of an active Child Protective Services (CPS) referral. These services are designed to help families address challenges early and reduce the risk of child maltreatment or the need for out-of-home care.
Services may include:
- Public education and awareness for the general community
- Support services for specific groups of parents or caregivers
- Assistance for individual families whose children may be at risk of abuse, neglect, or placement outside the home
- Support for foster and adoptive families to reduce placement disruption or instability
The goal is to help children remain safely with their families whenever possible.
What Is Prevention?
Prevention services are a critical part of the child welfare continuum, focusing on strengthening families before problems escalate. These services are proactive and supportive, not punitive.
Prevention services aim to:
- Strengthen families
- Promote child safety, well-being, and permanency
- Minimize harm to children
- Build family capacity to protect and care for their children
- Prevent the occurrence or re-occurrence of child abuse or neglect
- Prevent the need for out-of-home care, including foster care
Why Prevention Services Matter
Providing prevention services through a strength-based, trauma-informed approach helps families build protective factors that support long-term stability.
Benefits include:
- Families who recognize challenges early and seek help are more likely to benefit quickly from services
- Early involvement reduces the risk of abuse, neglect, and unnecessary out-of-home placements
- Children are more likely to remain safely with their families, preserving permanency and sibling relationships
- Families are empowered through engagement strategies that promote self-sufficiency
- Education and training in child development, behavior management, stress management, attachment, and nurturing improve family relationships and reduce conflict
Goal of Prevention Services
The primary goal of Prevention Services is to strengthen families by ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of children.
These services are designed to:
- Prevent child abuse or neglect by any caregiver
- Prevent out-of-home care, including foster care placement