Brief Services is a family focused service that is short-term and intensive. It is designed to assist at risk families to cope with their problems and improve childcare practices. Assessments are completed for each family and provides the referral source and family with recommendations for further services or information for community resources. In addition to assessments, brief services provides skill building, case management and psycho/educational interventions. Cases are referred by Children and Youth Services and Juvenile Probation. The services extend over a 60 day period.

During the intense 60 day service provision a number of assessment tools are administered to identify the strengths and need areas of families. Psycho-educational topics including personal and parenting skills enhancement, healthy communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, stress management, coping skills, budgeting, family resource management, and child behavior techniques are addressed as indicated.

The program also provides casework services including referrals to secure needed services. Such referrals might address needs for mental health treatment, food, medical care, housing assistance, or a variety of support services. Families are assisted to identify and utilize both formal and informal supports.

Brief Services offers a 24/7 on-call response. Families in crisis can access the on call worker via a pager system in the event that they need after hours assistance.

• A family must have a child open in the Juvenile Probation system or be involved with Children and Youth Services at the intake level
• At least one parent/caretaker with whom the child resides agrees to the services
• The identified child can range in age from birth to 18