Families Together

Families Together is an innovative child and family development program providing home-based services to families living throughout Santa Cruz County.  The overall goal is to reduce the number of re-referrals to Child Welfare Services by improving child and family well-being.

Families Together provides a two-tiered safety net for famlies at risk of child abuse and neglect.  The first tier is a collaboration comprised of community-based agencies offering family support services.  A voluntary program, this collaboration coordinates a wide variety of community support services and resources to low-risk families referred by Child Welfare Services.

The second tier of the Families Together safety net provides intensive home visiting and case management services to higher-risk families referred by Child Welfare Services.  Through Families Together, participants are presented opportunities to learn about parenting, child development, and positive discipline. Home visitors help parents advocate for their needs and form nurturing relationships with their children. They link families with resources such as WIC, CalWorks, mental health services, substance abuse counseling, and domestic violence services, among others. Children are often signed up for recreational activities like swimming and karate.  Assistance with basic needs is provided through bus passes, grocery cards, and an emphasis on medical care.

Families Together mitigates the personal and life stresses which may trigger child abuse.  Our vision is every child in a safe home and community.