SERVICES | AC FAMILY SUPPORT
Family Support/Individual
ACFSO provides face-to-face support, education and advocacy to assist parents and caregivers develop strategies to meet the challenges before them. We meet caregivers at the place and time that is convenient for them, assessing the family’s needs. We provide family-centered, strength bases, culturally competent, individual community based and accessible services by developing a sustainable plan with caregivers. We attend meetings pertinent to the family and child to give support when developing service or educational plans, including during critical situations such as hospitalization or entering out-of-home placement. We provide relevant and meaningful information and resources to assist caregivers. We advocate for the family in schools, courts, and to other agencies providing services. Our primary goal is to empower the parent or caregiver to advocate for their child and to have their voice heard.
Youth Partnership
ACFSO engages youth between the ages of 12 and 21 years old to participate in our Youth Partnership program. Members are encouraged to support each other so no one feels alone. Members work together to develop healthier self-esteem, social skills and work ethics. Meetings are held at our Northfield office on the each Tuesday at 6:00 PM. 1st Tuesday is Jr. Youth Partnership Group – ages 9-12 years old, 2nd and 4th Tuesday is Youth Partnership – ages 13-21 years old and 3rd Tuesday is Young Lady’s Power group – ages 13-21 years old.
Parent Support Groups
ACFSO offers parent support group meetings in both Atlantic and Cape May Counties. We meet in Northfield, Atlantic County in person on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. In Cape May County, we meet on 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 6PM at Lower Township Recreation Center, 2600 Bay Shore Road, Villas. In addition, we have Support Group in Spanish on the 1st and 3rd Monday at 7pm and 2nd and 3rd Tuesday at 11am, via Zoom. Our parent support groups provide a forum for parents and caregivers to support each other as well as hear from experts in various fields to learn about community resources.
Coffee Chat
ACFSO offers caregivers the opportunity to join this group for discussions regarding health, lifestyle, family relationships, children’s activities, nutrition, budgeting and some many other meaningful topics. This forum gives caregivers the chance to meet other caregivers for interaction, friendship and other helpful information. We meet every Friday in Atlantic County at 10am.
Coffee Chat South
ACFSO offers caregivers the opportunity to join this group for discussions regarding health, lifestyle, family relationships, children’s activities, nutrition, budgeting and some many other meaningful topics. This forum gives caregivers the chance to meet other caregivers for interaction, friendship and other helpful information. Coffee Chat South support groups meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 10am at Family Success Center in Rio Grande.
Hospital Companions
When your youth is in crisis and families are at their local screening center, Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May county, it is a difficult time and the ACFSO is there to help families cope. We offer support, education and advocacy to families to help them understand what to expect and how to navigate this system of care. We can also offer limited respite care so that parents can leave the hospital to get something to eat or take care of personal matter. On a case-by-care basis limited transported can be provided.
Parenting Classes
Children don’t come with an instructional guide. Sometimes, it okay and necessary to get help to explore ways to make parenting a little easier or at least to find better ways when what your are doing isn’t working so well. The ACFSO offers classes in a variety of subjects. Please contact us for more information.
We offer telephone support to parents and caregivers as we attempt to answer questions or sometimes just listen. We can also refer parents to relevant community resources.
Food Pantry
On every Thursday, at our Northfield office, we offer food from the Community Food Bank of SJ to families in need, between 10AM-2PM. Families, who meet eligibility criteria, are permitted to visit one time per month. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating a on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Community Outreach
We attend health fairs, public forums, school events, and the like in an effort to meet parents, caregivers and community providers to share resources and offer support. We advocate when necessary for change and maintain a good relationship with elected officials to advance the cause for parents and caregivers.
Partners in the NJ Children’s System of Care with Perform Care, Cape Atlantic Integrated Network for Kids and Atlanticare’s Mobile Response
