...Family Connections...
Realizing the Potential of Every Youth
Family Connections recognizes
the importance of strong families and has the mission of strengthening
youth, families, and our communities through prevention and intervention
services, advocacy, and collaboration.
Family Connections is a program
of S.T.A.R. Serving at-risk-youth
and their families in Ellis and Navarro Counties.
Services are provided at no cost to the families, and are provided
by funds through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Helpline:
1-800-578-1975
The crisis helpline is available 24/7,
including holidays. A Family consultant will be available
to answer questions and refer, if necessary, to other agencies.
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Services:
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Family Counseling: Brings youth, their
family, and a licensed counselor together to work on the
goals of the family.
Case Management/After-care and Follow Up: Offers support
services and encouragement for the youth and family. Referrals
to other needed agencies and services are made to each family.
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Skills Based Training: Gives youth
a chance to learn and develop new skills that will help
them succeed in life. Topics are selected based on the needs
of the group and include dealing with anger, communication,
managing stress, self-esteem, setting goals, respect and
responsibility, and violence prevention.
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Positive Steps Parenting: Brings parents
and their adolescents together to work on skills like communication,
discipline, balancing responsibilities and privileges and
to help strengthen family relationships. Youth learn how
to increase their level of freedom by becoming more responsible
while parents learn how to meet the "Challenge of Raising
Kids in the 21st Century."
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Other Parenting Groups: Provides parents
the opportunity to meet others who are also concerned about
their children or family, to share ideas and strategies
that have worked to bring their family together, and to
gain support and encouragement from one another. Developing
more effective parenting skills and experiencing the support
from others makes the difficult task of parenting a little
easier.
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Truancy Program: The goal of the Truancy
Program is to reduce and prevent the challenges of truancy
through a youth and family's voluntary commitment to parent
and family workshops, youth skills based training, and family
counseling. Other services are provided as needed. Should
the youth appear before a judge, the family may be required
under court order to participate in family Connections services.
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Temporary Shelter:
Is available for youth from 11-17 years of age who do not
have a safe place to stay. Family Connections places a high
priority on keeping youth with their families and believes
that even short-term separations can create barriers that
are difficult to overcome. Therefore, shelter is used only
as a last resort.
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