FAIR
Sometimes parents and caregivers just need a fair chance to be the loving, nurturing support they want to be for their children.
But struggling with basic needs - things like housing, food, transportation, health care, and child care - causes a lot of stress. The kind of stress that can easily overwhelm a person. Add anything else to that and the pressure can feel absolutely crushing, hopeless even.
This isn't about blame, shame, or negative labels.
This is about helping families meet their needs and build on their strengths.
The Program
The Family Assessment Intervention and Response program - better known as FAIR - is a program for families with children ages 0‑17 years old, where a concern about the safety of the children has been made to the Delaware Division of Family Services (DFS).
Based in research that affirms, children thrive best in safe, stable, nurturing homes with caring adults, FAIR seeks to keep families together and prevent children from entering the foster care system by building on the family's strengths and responding to their unique needs.
Program Goals
Ensuring children are safe, stay safe, and benefit from nurturing caregiving.
Avoiding negative labels for parents and setting aside the issue of fault.
Working in partnership with parents to create livable routines and expectations.
Identifying needs and providing services and resources to meet them.
Linking families with community supports to widen their networks
Planning toward a more positive future with ongoing services where needed.