PATH’s Family Support and Development Services provide long term case management to those needing or desiring more in-depth guidance and support in their quest to enhance the quality of their lives. Using the Family Inventory of Resources and Stressors (FIRST) assessment tool, the Family Support Specialist and client together are able to identify the family’s strengths (resources) and problems (stressors).

Specific areas of assessment include:

• Living situation

• Financial

• Physical health

• Emotional resources (personal and problem solving)

• Parent-child resources (authority, closeness)

• Social support resources (general and child support)

• Child education resources for each child in the family

• Family employment resources

• Emotional stressors (depression, anxiety, substance abuse, physical safety)

• Family/community stressors

Once the resources and stressors are identified, a family action plan is drafted and goals are established to begin the family development process. The Family Support Specialist provides guidance, instruction, and support and refers the family to other PATH programs or external organizations as necessary to provide for continuing growth of each family member. The Family Support Specialist and family have specific responsibilities and hold each other accountable for achieving identified goals. Weekly visits ensure that the family stays motivated and committed to making a long-term positive change. The FIRST is administered every three months in order to measure progress, celebrate accomplishments, and identify new goals. All families in PATH’s Transitional Housing program are required to participate in the Family Support and development Services.