What to Expect

Every case plan is different. You may be required to go to counseling, attend parent education classes, or receive drug treatment and testing services. It is very important to follow the case plan developed for you and your family. Comply with all court orders, follow the advice provided by your attorney, and attend all the programs and services. The sooner you enroll in the programs, the sooner you may be able to reunify with your child.

If you don’t understand what is expected of you, make sure you ask your social worker or attorney. Learn more about some of the support services available to parents by clicking below.

Parent Resources

Parents in Partnership

Parents in Partnership is a group of dedicated parents who have first-hand knowledge of what it is like to have a case with DCFS and how overwhelming and stressful it can be for families to fully understand their rights and responsibilities. These parents have successfully navigated the system and now work in partnership with DCFS to provide support, information and mentorship to parents who have recently lost custody of their children, as well as to parents whose children are in the foster care system long-term.

These parent partners will be your most useful resource for first-hand knowledge, emotional support, and advice on how to successfully bring your children back home with you.

Parents in Partnership

Housing Support

Bringing Families Home Program

The Bringing Families Home (BFH) Program provides housing support and services to families involved with the child welfare system who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. The program helps families achieve and maintain stable housing to support family reunification and prevent foster care placement.

BFH follows a Housing First model. Families do not have to be working towards their child welfare services case plan goals and Court orders to access BFH services. However, families must meet the program’s eligibility criteria.

To be considered for the BFH Program, a parent or legal guardian must:

• Have an open child welfare case and be receiving family maintenance, voluntary family maintenance, voluntary family reunification, or family reunification services.
• Be experiencing homelessness, be at risk of homelessness, or have a living situation that cannot accommodate their child or children.
• Have an annual household income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Los Angeles County.
• Voluntarily agree to participate in the program.

Undocumented families may be eligible for BFH services.

Depending on the family’s individual needs and program eligibility, BFH may provide:

• Time-limited rental assistance
• Rental arrears assistance
• Move-in and security deposit assistance
• Basic household furnishings
• Housing navigation and case management
• Employment and credit counseling
• Limited legal services
• Supportive services to promote housing stability

A referral to BFH does not guarantee enrollment or housing assistance. Services are subject to program eligibility, available funding and program capacity. BFH is not an emergency housing program, Section 8 program, or housing voucher program.

For referrals and inquiries, please email: B6HomelessServices@dcfs.lacounty.gov

For more information, please see the DCFS BFH Policy: DCFS BFH Policy

Incarcerated Parents Program

The Incarcerated Parents Program (IPP) facilitates visitation between women who are incarcerated at the Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF) and their children in out-of-home placement. The program is open to incarcerated mothers with children between the ages of 0-21. Mothers must have a current open Family Reunification Plan with DCFS, and not have a “stay away” or restraining order in criminal or juvenile dependency court, in order to participate.

IPP helps ensure incarcerated parents complete any court-ordered programs, acts as a liaison between social workers and the incarcerated parent and helps improve outcomes for released parents through resource referrals and supportive services. IPP is available on a first come, first served basis.

Contact Rosemary Sierra at (562) 497-3400 to request the referral form and visit their website to learn more.

Incarcerated Parents Program

Family Preservation Program

For many DCFS and Probation families, the Family Preservation (FP) program is an essential service component to help keep children safely in their home for a successful family reunification.

FP serves children and families in their home, and can be initiated several weeks or months before a child is reunited with their family. FP services provide a smooth transition home, and can continue for 6-12 months after families are reunified to ensure a successful reunification.

FP helps parents identify and build upon their strengths, resolve problems at home, teaches parents to advocate for their children in school and other public settings, and connects families to community resources and support networks that can help. The goal of FPP is to increase self-sufficiency within the family and reduce their reliance on public agency intervention.

Contact your social worker to discuss the Family Preservation Program.