Petersburg Department of Social Services - Prevention and In-Home Services

Mission:
The Prevention and In-Home Services program, operated by the Petersburg Department of Social Services, is dedicated to ensuring that all children live in stable and safe homes with caring adults. The program focuses on supporting families experiencing serious parenting challenges or crises, such as abuse, neglect, substance abuse, mental health issues, stress, or lack of family support.

In-Home Services

• The primary goal is to help families safely maintain children in their own homes or with relative/fictive kin caregivers within their communities.
• Services address safety and risk concerns, aiming to reduce the recurrence of child maltreatment.
• Family Services Specialists engage with families, support systems, and other service providers to develop and implement service plans tailored to each family's needs.
• After a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation, families may receive additional support to improve communication and functioning.
• Collaboration with courts, schools, counselors, and other professionals is a key component of service planning and delivery.

Family Support Services

• Assists families with children who require emergency and supportive services.
• The Foster Care Prevention initiative works to enhance families' ability to create and maintain healthy home environments, ensuring the safety of all members.
• Staff address concerns identified by families and provide services to minimize the risk of homelessness, improve family communication, and prevent out-of-home placement of children.
• Through Promoting Safe and Stable Families Grant funding, the program can offer limited financial assistance for rent, utilities, and other essential needs.

Eligibility & Application

• Families with children facing crises or in need of emergency support are eligible.
• Applications for Family Support Services can be obtained in person at the agency or printed from the website and submitted for review.

Service Area

• Services are provided by the Petersburg Department of Social Services and are primarily intended for families residing in Petersburg and the surrounding region.

Note: For more information or to apply for assistance, contact the organization directly.