In-Home Family Services

in-home family services west virginia

In-home family services, also called Socially-Necessary or ASO services, are interventions designed to help parents and caregivers resolve common problems and crises that may impact their family’s ability to thrive. These services aim to improve relationships and social functioning while preserving a family’s ability to stay safely together.

We work with children and families in their own homes, where services are most effective and convenient. Research clearly shows the positive impact of conducting services in families’ homes as opposed to an office setting. Home is where challenges exist and where change must occur.

KVC West Virginia provides in-home services through a partnership with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR). This program is funded in part under an Agreement with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

KVC accepts referrals for in-home family (Socially-Necessary) services solely through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. Only clients of Child Protective Services or Youth Services are eligible to receive these services. DHHR employees may contact their local KVC office to make a referral.

Contact your local KVC office

Provided In-Home Family Services

KVC provides the following in-home family services. Click on the service name below for more details.
CAPS Assessment is a comprehensive assessment of needs and strengths for individual children/youth and their families through face-to-face interview(s). The assessment is designed to guide case planning and decision making with the primary objective of permanency, safety and improved quality of life. It also identifies service gaps and promotes resource development. This assessment includes the use of the WV CANS and is an intensive assessment process involving the entire family.

Family Crisis Response is a face-to-face intervention in the clients’ natural environment to assess and de-escalate a family emergency as well as provide immediate relief and support. This service responds to the current family crisis that involves family disorganization and/or emotional upheaval that has resulted in an inability to adequately function and problem solve. Family Crisis Response services may target dysfunctional family interactions or environmental situations that have escalated to the point that children are at-risk of out-of-home care or placement is at risk of disruption. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Generalized Parenting services are provided in an individual or group setting consisting of multiple families and are based on a standard evidence-based curriculum. This curriculum can be individualized to meet each parent’s needs.

Home Maker services assist parents and caregivers with understanding and completing general housekeeping tasks to ensure a safe home environment for their family. This service allows staff to focus on demonstrating and educating families on how to meet specific household needs. Families learn how to complete tasks like meal preparation, grocery shopping, budgeting, cleaning and maintaining a physically safe home.

Individualized Parenting services are used to correct specific deficits in parenting. Provided in a one-on-one setting, this service tailors its priorities to meet each parent’s specific needs. Specific examples include individualized behavior management techniques or understanding a child’s specific mental or physical health condition. KVC West Virginia uses the Nurturing Parenting along with Positive Parenting with a Plan Curriculum.

Pre-Reunification Support services are intended for children who are still placed in foster care settings but are beginning transitional overnight visits to the home from which they were removed. With this program, KVC staff observe family interactions as they adjust to reunification in the caregiver’s home. Staff also report to the BSS worker and/or court regarding the family dynamics and provide recommendations regarding the family reunification.

Safety Services are a grouping of services for families to assist in assuring safety for children by controlling impending Safety Threats identified during the CPS Initial Assessment. These services include Supervision, Parenting Assistance, Family Crisis Response, Social/Emotional Support and Crisis Home Management. This intensive service bundle is provided at the request of DHHR and is intended to keep a child safely in the home environment.

Step-by-Step Parenting Program® breaks down essential child care skills for children from birth to about 3 years old into small steps. This program covers a wide-range of parenting skills related to child health, safety, and development. Topics include: newborn care, feeding and nutrition, diapering, bathing, home and sleep safety, first aid, toilet training, parent-child interactions, and positive behavior support.

Supervised Visitation I (One) services ensure visitations between family members (parent to child or child to child) are safe and appropriate. These visitations can take place in our offices or out in the community. Qualified and trained staff look in on visits between family members periodically (as determined by BSS visitation plan) or observe family visits while sitting in the room/immediate area. These services ensure that no abuse, either physical or emotional, takes place during visitation.

Supervised Visitation II (Two) services observe visitations between parents and children to evaluate appropriateness and level of interaction. Staff will intervene if abuse or inappropriate behavior is occurring. The purpose is to assess and monitor the appropriateness of family interaction and possible reunification.

Transportation services are available for children and families to get to and from visitations, medical appointments, court hearings, etc. These services can be provided in conjunction with visitation as DHHR deems necessary.