Family and Youth Services
Safe and Stable
The United Arc’s Safe and Stable program provides services to parents and their custodial children. We specialize in working with parents who are living with an intellectual/developmental disability or functional limitation but can accommodate any parents whom DCF refers. Our services include home-based parent education, case management, and general family support. Skill areas may include household organization/structure, healthy relationships, child behavior modification techniques, household routines, and parental adherence to children’s medical (dental) and mental health services. Our parent education services can include specific curricula such as the Step-by-Step program, the Health and Wellness program, Positive Discipline, and other materials as needed. Case management includes assistance in applying for state and federal benefits such as DTA, Social Security, DDS eligibility, and low-income/Section 8 housing. Referrals to therapy, ICC, and other relevant services are also provided. Case Workers will meet weekly with participants as or directed by DCF.
Preparation Support
The United Arc’s Preparation Support program provides services to non-custodial parents preparing for their child/children to be returned to their home. We specialize in working with parents who are living with an intellectual/developmental disability (ID/D) or functional limitation, but provide services to parents of all abilities. Our services include home-based parent education, case management, and general family support. Skill areas may consist of household organization/structure, healthy relationships, child behavior modification techniques, household routines, and parental adherence to children’s medical and mental health services. Our parent education services can include specific curricula such as the Step-by-Step program, the Health and Wellness program, Positive Discipline, and other materials as needed. Case management includes assistance in applying for state and federal benefits such as DTA, Social Security, DDS eligibility, and low-income/Section 8 housing. Referrals to therapy, ICC, and other relevant services are also provided. Case Workers will meet weekly with participants as or directed by DCF.
Supervised Family Time
The United Arc’s Supervised Family Time program allows parents and their children to visit in a structured and supportive environment. Our visitation program utilizes the expertise of The Supervised Visitation Network for training and best practices in this work. We utilize Strengthening Families, The Nurturing Parenting Skills for Families in Supervised Visitation, and Positive Discipline to guide our work. We provide two types of visits: instructional and observational, depending on the family's needs and as requested by DCF. Our service includes visit coordination, transportation of children, visit supervision, instruction, correction as needed/requested, written documentation, and follow-up calls with parents and foster parents.
Youth Enrichment
The United Arc’s Youth Support – Enrichment provides strength-based, trauma-informed support to Children/Youth 9-15. Case Workers work with children and youth to gain the skills to manage challenging experiences and increase their resilience. Enrichment will connect Children and Youth to activities within their community to improve social support and personal well-being. Our staff possess the following skills, which can be requested/utilized more formally on a case-by-case basis, depending on the needs and interests of the Child/Youth and recommendations from the Department: Art, Cooking, Drama/theatre, Academic Support, Sports, and Community engagement/volunteer opportunities. Case workers will work with the Youth to develop a treatment plan with attainable and measurable goals. Case Workers will transport Children/Youth to available resources within the community and social opportunities. Case Workers will meet with their Youth weekly to address goals or as directed by DCF.
Youth Transition
The United Arc’s Youth Transition Program serves Youth aged 16-22. The program supports young adults to help them acquire the skills and resources necessary to become more independent. Staff work with Youth in many areas, including making social connections, building healthy relationships, self-care, learning job skills, obtaining their license or state ID, applying for jobs and college, and referrals for mental health support and other appropriate services. Staff are trauma-informed and use strength-based interventions. Youth Case Workers utilize Preparing Adolescents for Young Adulthood (PAYA) as a learning tool for teaching various aspects of independent life. We adhere to the Youth Thrive philosophy of the Strengthen Families framework for additional support. Case Workers will meet with their Youth weekly to address goals or as directed by DCF.