Suggested ReferralGuidance

SFFC can hostachildwitha volunteerHostFamilywhen…

  • Parent/familyisin crisis
  • Parent/familyis homeless
  • Parentneedsto behospitalized foranacutemedicalprocedure(i.e.,surgery,rehabilitation,drugand alcoholrehabilitation)
  • Parenthas a mentalhealthissue(i.e.,bi-polar,depression)
  • Anidentifiedperpetratoriscurrentlyinthe parent’shome (i.e., domesticviolence)
  • Parentneedsa break(isatwitsend)
  • Thereisa gap in servicesandchildneedsa safeplaceto stay
  • Parent/familyisisolatedand hasfew ifanyextendedfamilyorexternalsupportrelationships
  • Child ProtectiveServices(CPS)beginsaninvestigation, ifCPS workerbelievesitis besttoremove the childfromthe home duringtheinvestigation
  • Allpartiesinvolvedarecommitted toreunitethefamilyas soonas possible
  • Safetyofthechildisparamount

SFFC cannothostachildwitha volunteerSafeFamiliesforChildrenHostFamilyHomewhen…

  • thereisevidenceofcurrentabuse(wewilldeferto ChildProtectiveServices)
  • the childisexhibitingdangerous,violentbehavior
  • the childisinneed ofsubstanceabuserehabilitation
  • we areunableto obtainconsentfromone orbothparentswhohavelegalcustody

SFFC can provide a family friend for parents who are …

  • Stressed and isolated parents who may not need their children hosted but are seeking informal supports

KeyElementsinvolvedwhenreferringa parent(s)to SFFCforHostingorFamilyFriendarrangements:Parent(s):

  • understandthata SFFC referralandparticipationis100%voluntary
  • requestinga teen behosted– orteenageingoutoffostercare– teenneedsto be inagreement
  • understandthatSFFC familiesand othervolunteersaretrained andreceive no moneyto hostorserve in SFFC
  • setgoalsforthemselveswhileinvolved andcanaccessSFFC FamilyCoach to assistthem
  • retaincustodyoftheirchildrenwhilewithSFFC andas suchcan havetheirchildrenreturnedtothematanytime
  • whohave a caseworkerthrough a StateAgencyorotherserviceproviderarerequiredandencouraged tofollowthrough with whatevertheirresponsibilityis totheStateAgency– SFFCFamilyCoachesyield tothatagreement(forexampleiftheparent(s)areutilizingSFFC as partofa SafetyPlan/FamilyPlaninplace bythe StateAgency)
  • understandthatSFFC cannotguaranteeavailabilityofa HostFamilyand willletrefereeknowwhen a HostFamilybecomesavailable

To make a referral

Online - – Click “Get Help” and make request

Phone: 207-713-0523

Email: