Catholic Family Services

Results: Counseling & Community Services During 2019, CFS opened 248 new counseling cases and conducted 1431 clinical sessions with individuals and families for an increase of 100% from 2018 in new cases. Isabel Oliveras, a Spanish speaking volunteer was able to provide classes on parenting education for Hispanics families. CFS had 86 participants in 2019 Spanish Parent Education Course and was recently awarded the Caring Foundation grant in March, 2020 to continue to provide parent education in hopes of preventing child abuse. Executive Director Hector “Oz” Chavez has completed his first year in his current position as the director. Oz has made many positive changes. He first updated all computers systems that were more than 12 years old to 2020 Microsoft Business. Oz has also transitioned all clinical services from paper to digital format. As of March, 2020 CFS has also made intake paperwork accessible via mobile and computer devices. CFS is in the process of updating its adoption platform from hard copy to digital software tracking and cloud services. Oz has brought in two PHD level counselor in 2019. He added two Associate level counselors in 2019 . At the end of December, 2019 Oz brought in a marriage and family therapist to help families and children. Oz in talking to private school stakeholders saw a need for counselors in Catholic School settings and negotiated contracts to provide services to three Catholic Schools. CFS and the advisory board are seeking to employ a part psychiatrist positions to help clients who have psychiatric medications needs that counseling alone cannot solve or address. Additionally CFS is looking to add a Marketing Director to advertise services and improve our community involvement. CFS as of March, 2020 is also offering telemedicine due to Corona Virus Epidemic. Oz continues to look at different ways to improve and provide top notch clinical services. Adoption Services CFS continues to believe with the philosophical view that… • Establishing a stronger presence of CFS on the internet. • Offering birth mothers complete openness in their adoption placement, if they desire this. • Consolidating adoption services for the Birmingham, Florence and Huntsville offices. CFS completed one adoption in 2019. There were 29 adoption inquiries, and CFS assisted with 3 adult adoptee reunifications. CFS in 2019 worked on 4 Foster Care Cases. The agency child welfare social worker offers the following services: • Conducting home studies for CFS couples, outside agencies and couples pursuing independent adoptions. • Traditional services for women and couples who choose this option with CFS. • Counseling birth parents that have been identified by CFS adoptive couples. • Providing guidance and support for CFS couples in their use of the internet.

Target demographics: Uninsured, poor, minorities, immigrants, homeless, veterans, discounted

Direct beneficiaries per year: 6494

Geographic areas served: Alabama

Programs: Community mental health,Counseling, behavioral health services, addictions, marriage and family therapy, couple counseling, play therapy, psychiatric services, foster care, adoptions, pro life service, immigration mental health evaluation.