Sharon Wood, Director of Child and Family Services, introduced staff members, Linda Felts, Claire Dalrymple, and Erica Stewart, who presented some of the highlights of the In-Home Service Program. Ms. Dalrymple distributed brochures describing the In-Home Service Program. Ms. Dalrymple reported that In-Home Services work well for a lot of families because home is where many of their problems begin. Being in the home for several hours each week gives the therapist the opportunity to interact with the entire family, and to see how the family interacts within its own environment. She indicated that some of these families have serious problems and require outside assistance to prevent the children from being removed from the home.
Referrals come from various individuals and organizations.
In-Home Service providers spend up to five hours per week with the child and his or her family. In-Home Service providers, on the other hand, come directly into the home and do activities with the children. Ms. Dalrymple indicated that clients do not have to accept our services if they do not want them, unless the services are court-ordered. Ms. Dalrymple indicated that the In-Home Service Program is currently working with approximately 30 families. She indicated that children are most often removed from their homes because of serious mental illness or behavioral problems.