FAMILIES IN TRANSITION PROGRAM

"A diverse, caring, community-based team working in partnership with families to celebrate strengths and improve the quality of their lives!" In-Home Mission Statement

What is F.I.T?
The Families In Transition Program is a flexible family therapy program serving families with teens, ages 10-17, who are at risk of being placed outside of the home. The FIT team works with families in their homes where the immediacy of problems can be addressed. Presenting issues for the teen may include emotional and behavioral difficulties, unlawful activities, school problems, troubled relationships with family members, peers or community persons, or alcohol and other drug abuse patterns. Families may present with significant life stress, communication breakdowns, ineffective parenting, or family aggression.

Services:
FIT services include an assessment of the family's needs and strengths, family therapy sessions, school and other collateral contacts, crisis intervention, psychiatric consultation, and aftercare services as needed. All services are provided in a manner sensitive and responsive to the family's culture. The program uses a two-member team model. Families meet with their FIT team 1-2 hours a week. Family meetings may be supplemented with individual sessions or couple's sessions based on the unique needs of the family. The program provides 24 hour a day crisis response. All services are coordinated with County social workers and other community agencies involved with the family.

Goals:

The FIT team works in partnership with the teen and parents to:

• Build on family strengths to improve problem solving, communication and relationships
• Help parents establish authority within their home and help teens be accountable for their behavior
• Assist families in resolving behavioral problems
• Connect families to available resources and natural supports
• Address specific needs and goals of the family
• Keep families safely together to avoid disruptive and costly out-of-home placement

"My two counselors were incredibly helpful in my feeling more confident and sure of myself as a parent and in the choices I make. They were instrumental in introducing me to different and more effective ways to parent. They were supportive of me…my family is definitely a lot better since their involvement." FIT parent consumer

"I think that this program helped me and my mom very much. We can talk now without getting into an argument and we can communicate much better. It was very helpful." FIT teen consumer

To make a referral or for additional information call 252-1325 ext. 1169 or 1166 or email Family Service.