The Family Connections program is an intensive, home-based and/or virtual program which provides support to families in times of crisis. It is a short-term intervention lasting approximately 8-10 weeks, for children and youth ages 0-17 and their parents/caregivers.
Goals of the Program:
- To help families/caregivers become effective at managing current and future crises
- To reduce the need for placement of children/youth out of the home into the care of Peel Children’s Aid or other residential placement
- To improve family relationships
- To strengthen families’ informal and formal networks of support
Inclusionary Criteria:
- Residents of Peel
- Children/youth ages 0 – 17 yrs
- Children/youth experiencing mental health issues and demonstrating externalizing or internalizing behaviours
- Children/youth who are at risk of out-of-home placement
- Parents/caregivers who voluntarily agree to participate in this family-focused intensive program
Exclusionary Criteria:
- Children/youth or their parents/caregivers who are actively suicidal, homicidal or in need of immediate crisis stabilization
- When the safety of the worker cannot be ensured
Referral Sources:
-
- Self-referrals
- Community Service Providers
- Peel CAS
- Peel School Boards
- Hospitals
- Youth Justice Services
Referral Process:
Parents/caregivers can make a self-referral by contacting WhereToStart.ca or by calling 905.451.4655.
Partner organizations and AYSP staff working with clients who meet eligibility requirements can make a referral to the Family Connections Program via the Internal Transfer Protocol.
Peel Children’s Aid Workers forward referrals to the designated Peel Children’s Aid Supervisor. These are then sent to AYSP’s Intake Specialist.
The Family Connections Program Supervisor is available to answer any questions you may have regarding the referral process or program criteria.