Everything You Need to Know About Family Preservation

A family is a fundamental institution that provides a sense of identity and feelings of belonging. However, conflicts can affect the functioning of the family, which endangers a child's development. In homes where there is a high level of conflict between parents, the children are at a greater risk of developing issues with concentration and managing their emotions.

A surprising 70% to 80% of Americans consider their families dysfunctional. While violence, abuse, and neglect are common forms of dysfunction, many families reported feelings of estrangement, emotional disconnection, and non-traditional family structures as well.

This has led to the development of family preservation services to strengthen the community and ensure safe environments for children. The aim is to create good quality parenting that advocates for emotional support and positive reinforcement within families to reduce conflicts. Read on to learn more.

What is Family Preservation?

Family preservation is a movement by state and child welfare agencies aimed at helping families cope with stressors that can affect their ability to nurture children. This movement grew due to the recognition that family separation leaves some lasting adverse effects on the children. It's possible to protect children from unwarranted traumas by offering information, guidance, and support to parents.

Millions of children worldwide live in care institutions worldwide, but a shocking 80% of kids living in children’s homes have at least one living parent. The increased number of orphanage-style institutions—coupled with an increase in people wanting to adopt babies—has motivated families in vulnerable situations to willingly take their children to the orphanage. Most parents do this in the hope of giving their children a better life.

Although these institutions offer refuge to such children, even the best caregivers can never replace biological families. The separation from family can harm the child emotionally and affect their cognitive behavior. The effects are even worse for younger children.

How Does Family Preservation Work?

Family preservation services can benefit any parent who needs a non-judgmental environment to learn parenting strategies and other beneficial skills for their families. Typically, all families will face financial, employment, parenting, substance abuse, or illness cycles that affect the bond between members. In such challenging times, rather than giving up on your family, you need the proper support to help you safely stay together. The family preservation service provides a combination of the following programs:

Family Therapy

When a family is going through difficulties, a therapist can help them improve communication and conflict resolution skills. The treatment plan will vary depending on the situation at hand. Sometimes the therapy session may include all the family members. But if a family member is going through addiction, they will attend individual therapy sessions to aid in recovery.

During therapy, the counselor will first examine your family member's ability to express their emotions. They also explore each person's role and behavioral patterns that can contribute to conflicts. Together you will develop skills to cope with challenging situations and understand one another better to create stronger family relations.

Parenting Skills

During the program, you will also learn parenting skills to prevent children from entering foster care. This begins with learning how to create better relationships with your spouses. Keep in mind that children raised by parents in a healthy relationship are more likely to be happier and more successful than those from families with a high amount of conflict.

You will learn how to listen to your children and spend quality time with them. The parenting classes also emphasize giving children affection and support. There are various parenting support groups where you interact with other families going through issues like yours. This way, you can share ideas that will strengthen your parenting skills.

Behavioral Health Treatment

This treatment program aims at addressing some unhealthy behaviors that can affect family relations. It will benefit people struggling with anger issues, anxiety, and depression. You will address current problems affecting your family members together with a therapist and try to help them adopt healthier patterns.

During the sessions, a therapist will observe your children and determine how comfortable they feel while expressing themselves. The counselor will then teach parents how to improve communication with their children.

Family Bonding

Family preservation also involves some bonding activities for families to help them recover from the crisis. Various community corporations and family support organizations promote activities that allow parents and children to spend time together. This helps create a stronger emotional bond between family members. Partaking in leisure activities together also boosts communication skills. Note that children often learn how to interact with others by watching their parents. This also helps create memories that give the family members a sense of belonging.

Family Violence Intervention Program

This treatment program aims at helping spouses or children going through domestic violence. Your family will receive education on the effects of violence. Then, together with the counselor, you will find safer solutions to solve problems rather than physically hurting one another. The affected parties will also receive help to regain their self-esteem and live a violence-free lifestyle.

Bottom Line

Effective family preservation programs can help keep family unity and prevent losing many children to the foster care system. Through this program, both parents and children learn how to make positive changes that benefit their families. Remember that healthy families raise children who will create positive impacts on society. If you or someone close to you needs support, reach out to the team at Camelot Care Center. We provide intensive counseling to strengthen families, improve relationships and create a safe community.