Children and Family Services

Intensive Home Based Services (IHBS)

The staff in this program works closely with OCS in the most severe cases of child abuse and neglect. These children would be automatically removed from the home if it were not for our ability to step in immediately and begin working with the families. IHBS Therapists deliver services for 4-6 weeks with a minimum of five to twenty hours per week of face to face contact with each family. Services are individually tailored to address each family’s needs, including the family background, resources, and assessment of issues. This service is available in all eight parishes.

Nurturing Parenting Program

We work closely with the Child Protection workers to provide in-home and classroom training for parents who have lost custody of their children to the state or who are at risk.  This is provided in the form of in-home parenting training, coaching, classroom training and in-home skills and support.  Parents have the opportunity to earn while they learn, and are given the opportunity to shop at the Family Resource Center Store monthly.

Parents as Teachers (PAT)

We believe parents are a child’s first teacher. This program helps educate parents of infant and toddler aged children on developmental milestones, so children are ready for Kindergarten when the time comes. Parents are taught educational tools to help with their child’s development.  Prenatal education is also available. Parents are given incentives for participation and are given the opportunity to shop in the  Family Resource Center Store monthly.  There is no referral needed for this program.

Teen Outreach Program (TOP)

We teach teenagers about better decision making through small clubs and activities, centered around goals of Life Skills, Healthy Behavior and a Sense of Purpose. Each group will identify, design and implement a community service project. FREE for teens ages 12-17 and meets throughout Rapides Parish.

Partners in Literacy (PIL)

This program plays an important role in promoting literacy. This program offered to adults 18 years of age and older provides the opportunity to for them to learn the basic literacy skills essential to a full life. This is available in Rapides Parish.