Alternative Response System (ARS) is a new service (Spring 2009) developed by the Department of Human Services (DHS) to engage families in which there is a moderate level of risk for abuse and neglect. Families in this program have been brought to the attention of DHS through hotline reports, but there is not an immediate safety threat to the children.  Social Workers help develop family functioning and work to eliminate any issues or concerns that could place the children at risk for future abuse. For more information contact Carla Neal at (215) 875-4961 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Families and Schools Together (FAST) provides parent education and family support services to parents and children by working with schools, mental health and substance abuse providers, and community leaders in order to strengthen families through building partnerships and promoting increased success in school. Families meet once a week for eight weeks and after completion of these sessions, they continue to meet once a month for 22 months. FAST is currently operating in 38 elementary schools in Philadelphia. For more information contact Kim Jones at (215) 875-4943 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Family Night is a parent education and support program built around a communal family dinner. Once a week for two 16 week sessions – one in the spring, one in the fall -- families come together with other families to enjoy a sit down meal at which parents and children talk together and build family bonds. After dinner, parents meet in an education/support group led by staff in which they discuss the issues they confront as parents. Children break off into age appropriate activity groups. Sessions take place at Madeira Family Center and the Church of the Advocate at 18th and Diamond Streets from 6:00 – 8:00pm. For more information contact Rosita Martinez at (215) 546-2990 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Family Project is a program for pregnant and parenting families with children under the age of 6 who are looking to provide a better life for themselves and their pre-schoolers. Families receive the emotional supports they need, through the following services; developmental screening of children and access to early intervention services if needed, assistance in educational and vocational planning and support in locating resources that will further clients’ goals. For more information contact Louise Leibowitz at (215) 875-3400 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

In Home Protective Services (IHPS) works in conjunction with referrals from the Department of Human Services.  Children in this program are found to be at high risk for abuse and in need of protective intervention to keep them safe. Through face-to-face visits three times a week for six months, social workers aim to reduce any immediate safety threats and to keep the children safe from harm.  Without this support, these children may need to be placed in foster care.  For more information contact Rosita Martinez at (215) 546-2990 ext. 23 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Kids n’ Kin supports families in which children’s biological parents are absent and children are being raised by an extended family member or family friend; services include home visits, family therapy, legal assistance and supportive services for incarcerated parents. For more information contact Brenda Rich at (215) 875-4955 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Kinship Institute was formed in 2006 out of to the Kids n’ Kin program. There was a need to promote best practices in serving relative caregivers in non-profit, corporate and government organizations. The Kinship Institute works to achieve this though advocacy, networking and training. For more information contact Karen Fisk at (215) 875-4977 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

MELD (The Minnesota Early Learning Design) Parent Groups is a nationally recognized parent training and support model that is offered in community-based setting and is designed to strengthen families by enhancing the parent-child relationship by improving parenting skills and the understanding of child development and the appropriate approaches to child-rearing. For more information contact Linda Schubert at (215) 875-4971 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Time Out for Teens and Tots™ (TTT) is a parenting and support program for teen mothers and their children. TTT offers group sessions that build parenting and peer relationships and foster positive and healthy mother/child relationships, individual and family supportive counseling, a Career Directions program that introduces teen mothers to the working world and helps them develop educational and career plans, mother-only and mother-baby educational and cultural special events and developmental screening for children to identify those who may need early intervention services. TTT group sessions are held in five locations throughout Philadelphia, including one session at the MFC. For more information, please contact Louise Leibowitz at (215) 875-3400 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .