Family Connections (FC) is a trauma-informed and empowering service, provided to families in the context of their own communities and cultures. Family Connections provides change-focused interventions to achieve core outcomes of improved social support, family functioning, family resources, child well-being, parenting attitudes and behaviors, and management of parenting stress. FC is grounded in the following practice principles:

• Community outreach
• Family assessment and tailored interventions
• Developing a helping alliance and partnership with the family      
• Empowerment    
• Emphasizing strengths   
• Cultural competence    
• Developmental appropriateness      
• Outcome-driven service plans    
• Positive attitudes and qualities of helpers

The Nurturing Parenting Programs (NPP) is a family-centered trauma-informed program designed for families at risk for abuse or neglect and features activities that foster positive parenting skills with nurturing behaviors, promote healthy physical and emotional development, and teach appropriate role and developmental expectations. The Nurturing Parenting Program values positive self-worth, empathy, empowerment and strong will, structure and discipline, and laughter and play. NPP supports parents to give their children:

• Appropriate expectations 
• Empathy      
• Non-violent discipline     
• Appropriate family roles       
• Power and independence   

Click here to learn more about the Nurturing Parenting Program

Substance Use Assessment 

• DCS will assign a parent to an agency specializing in treatment for substance misuse and Substance Use Disorder. The assessment will evaluate parental substance use and misuse in order to make recommendations for interventions and/ or treatments to alleviate this safety concern. 

Substance Use Testing

• Parent's may be required to engage in a rule-out and/ or random drug testing. Your DCS Case Manager will work with you to set this service up. 

Substance Use Treatment

• Substance use treatment services may include, but are not limited to: 
  • Substance Use Testing
  • Individual Counseling 
  • Group Counseling
  • Peer Support
  • Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
  • Supportive Outpatient Program (SOP)
  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
  • Residential Treatment

DCS typically assigns parents to work with an agency they have an established relationship with. However, if you are working with an organization, talk to your DCS Case Manager and your attorney about transitioning your services to the program you feel will most positively support you.

Benefiting from behavioral health services does not mean anything negative about you, it means you're taking care of your emotional health during a difficult time.

Psychological Consultation

• A psychological consultation requires no work on your end. The psychological consultation is a review of your case between the on-staff DCS Psychologist and the DCS Investigator or Case Manager. Once the review is complete, the DCS Psychologist will make recommendations for services in your case plan. 

Psychiatric Services 

• A psychiatric evaluation is an evaluation to determine if you may benefit from behavioral health mediation(s), and if so, what medication(s). 
• After a psychiatric evaluation, you will be scheduled for regular follow-up appointments with a psychiatrist to discuss how well a prescribed medication(s) are working for you. If something about a medication you are taking is difficult, share that information with the psychiatrist to discuss solutions. 

Individual Counseling/ Therapy

• Individual counseling is a one-on-one regular meeting with a licensed therapist. 

Psychological Evaluation 

• A psychological evaluation is an in-depth mental health assessment where a psychologist evaluates you to see if you're experiencing to assess any mental health conditions and make recommendations to your on-going therapist. 

Group Therapy 

• Group Therapy involves one or more therapists working with several people in a group setting. Often group therapy includes individuals who you may share similar struggles with. 

Family Therapy

• Family therapy is designed to improve family communication and help a family gain the tools resolve conflicts together. 

If you are, or someone you know, is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, call 988 for immediate assistance. 

DCS typically assigns parents to work with an agency they have an established relationship with. However, if you are working with an organization, talk to your DCS Case Manager and your attorney about transitioning your services to the program you feel will most positively support you.

Kids do not come with an instruction manual. Parenting classes are available in the community to help all parents navigate parenting.

If you are assigned parenting classes, DCS may assign specific agencies, such as Family Connections or the Nurturing Parenting Program (see tabs above). 

You may also be required to engage in a "community-based" parenting class. Check out the Pinal Early Childhood Resource Guide. While it says "early childhood," the Resource Guide lists parenting resources for children birth to 18. Find a class in your community. 

If DCS has concerns regarding domestic violence issues in the home, they may recommend domestic violence services. Domestic violence services are varied based on the concern DCS is hoping to address. Talk to your DCS Investigator or Case Manager about the specific services they would like you to participate in.

Domestic violence services may include: 

• Individual therapy/ counseling
• Group therapy 
• Shelter or other temporary housing options
• Safety planning
• Legal advocacy 
• Anger management
• Education

Standard visitation is 4 hours per week, which is typically broken down into two 2-hour visits two times a week or one 4-hour visit one time a week. 

Types of Visitation

• Therapeutic Visitation takes place with a licensed therapist who supervises and advises during the visit. 
• Supervised Visits are supervised by either a Supervised Visitation Officer (SVO) or a DCS Case Aide, who may provide transportation for the children or adults to and from the visit. Supervised visits may happen in the home, in the community or at a DCS office. 
  • Programs like Family Connections or the Nurturing Parenting Program, (see above) may participate with you in visits to provide guidance and support, but they do not take the place of a Case Aide or SVO if supervision is required. 
• Unsupervised Visits are visits where the parent is approved to be alone with their child for the length of the visit. 

It is possible to increase visitation time with your child. Talk to your DCS Case Manager or your attorney to discuss possibilities.