Child Wellbeing and Family Stability Services

Our social workers engage families in a 

partnership to enhance child and family safety, mental health, and well-being.  We are engaged in several collaborative efforts with Olmsted County Children and Family Services to offer families support to address their individualized needs. These programs include: 

Family Advocacy in Recovery and Restoration (FARR)

Family Advocacy in Recovery and Restoration (FARR) provides recovery support for women who are pregnant and/or parenting. Services are culturally appropriate, gender specific, and comprehensive. 

There is no cost for these services. FARR is funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and PROOF Alliance.

FARR works in collaboration with PROOF Alliance to decrease the number of babies born exposed to substance use in-utero.

Family Access Center

The Family Access Center (FAC) exists to provide children with opportunities for safe, conflict-free access to their loved ones. Committed to the needs of children, FAC supports their right to develop and maintain relationships with their families while protecting them from adult conflicts and other family challenges. We believe that, in most circumstances, children benefit from maintaining regular contact with their loved ones.

Family Involvement Strategies (FIS)

A unique family engagement process that builds on family strengths to develop care and safety plans. Trained staff coordinate and facilitate meetings where families develop plans to address child welfare, child maltreatment, juvenile corrections and children's mental health concerns.

FATHER Project

The positive involvement of both parents in a child’s life is important to their healthy development and overall wellbeing. FATHER Project assists fathers in overcoming the barriers that prevent them from supporting their children emotionally and economically. Fathers receive intensive case management services and career development services providing access to supports and resources.

Domestic Violence Education and Support Groups:  

Women's Domestic Violence and Education Support Group

We offer education and support for women of all ages who have been impacted by domestic violence. Through curriculum and guided discussions, women explore a variety of related issues designed to offer the education and support necessary to increase their safety and overall well-being.

Children's Group Domestic Violence and Education Support Group

The Children’s Domestic Violence Education and Support Group takes place in conjunction with the Women’s Domestic Violence Education and Support Group

Through discussions, art and creative play, children ages 5 and older explore a variety of issues. Children will learn about domestic violence, how to be safe, not to take on the responsibility of the behavior of others, and self-care. Childcare is provided for children under age 5.

Guiding Partners to Solutions (GPS):

GPS social workers partner with individuals and families to navigate systems and gain access to a broad range of Olmsted County programs and/or other community resources.

Many people in our community struggle with meeting their household’s basic needs such as housing stability and food insecurity.  Additional resources may also be needed in relation to employment, education, mental health, chemical health, and many more!

Services are short-term and can last up to 60 days with social workers utilizing different forms of communication to assist with resource navigation such as phone calls, face-to-face meetings, and virtual connections.

GPS also provides consultation to professionals seeking resources and addresses systemic barriers to service access.  Community outreach is utilized to reach those in need and to address resource gaps in the community.

The GPS program is a collaborative effort between Family Service Rochester and Olmsted County Health, Housing and Human Services.