Family And Childrens Service

Programs: In fiscal 2017, over 61,200 clients were assisted by fcs in connecting to hope, to healing and to one another through twenty-three programs. Over 27,000 callers received free, confidential accessible crisis counseling available in 170 languages, including 1,680 who expressed suicidal or homicidal ideation. 190 individuals attended and benefited from middle tennessee's only weekly survivors of suicide support groups led by trained facilitators. 409 children and relative caregivers benefited from counseling and support group, material and financial support, advocacy and family and youth enrichment activities. No children had to enter or re-enter state custody because of the variety of services offered and the responsiveness of the relative caregiver program to potential threats to the stability of the relative caregiver placement. 1,194 individuals received counseling in accessible community locations to help them reduce symptoms of depression or anxiety, decrease self-destructive behavior or increase self-awareness, overcome domestic violence and/or trauma, and improve the ability to form and use support networks. 425 individuals were assessed and received services to help them overcome mental health issues, domestic violence, substance abuse, learning disabilities and child behavior and health issues that would impede their progress toward economic self-sufficiency. Almost 2,865 school-age children, youth and parents were assisted by family resource centers led by fcs staff at cole, fall-hamilton, napier, and park avenue elementary schools and pearl cohn high school. Families were linked with needed community resources including counseling, and children participated in programs focused on social skills/self esteem, personal safety, conflict resolution, academic self concept and decision making. Over 14,000 clients received health assist services, connecting them to affordable health insurance for which they are eligible as well for other services meeting their healthcare needs.