DCS Awards Contracts For "Building Resilient Families" In-Home Services

PHOENIX (9-22-2015) – The Department of Child Safety has awarded seven service providers contracts to provide in-home services through the “Building Resilient Families” program.

Cases considered either potential or low risk would be eligible when a DCS investigation has been completed, the children have been found to be safe, and the case has been approved for closure.

“The introduction of this program marks the beginning of the Department’s renewed commitment to keeping families together by providing support,” said DCS Director Greg McKay.  “For the past five years services in urban areas were reserved for only those with the most intensive needs; leaving less serious situations to fester and escalate without any intervention.  This had a direct impact on the increase of children removed from their homes.”

He added, “Now we are counting on our providers to deliver expedient, appropriate service to keep children in their own homes with their own families.”

Families receiving these services will get training in skills such as how to use social service programs, keeping children safe from hazards, living within a budget, and other assistance programs.

Nearly all the families that receive services are expected to have reduced risk once the case is closed, with the goal being that fewer than five percent would be referred to DCS again within six months. 

FY 2016 funding for the program is $4 million.

The seven providers are: Applied Behavioral Interventions, PLLC; Arizona Children’s Association; Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.; Sage Counseling, Inc.; Southwest Human Development; Step Up Arizona, and Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services. 

All vendors were selected through the State of Arizona’s competitive procurement process.