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Since 1956 Family Service Agency (FSA) has proven itself a leader in DeKalb County providing life-changing, professional and in-demand services for generations of families in our county. We are an umbrella agency known for our collaborative nature, strong standing in the community and five distinctive programs that touch every point in the lifecycle. Those programs include our founding program the Center for Counseling, Senior Services, Youth Programming, the Children's Advocacy Center, and Community Action Program. In September 2022, FSA acquired DeKalb County Youth Service Bureau through a merger which resulted in expanded Youth Programming including crisis runaway/lockout intervention services, school-based social emotional learning services, alternative to suspension, and active parenting.
FSA’s accredited CAC is reporting 198 children have spoken their truth during a forensic interview (FI). The FI is essential for various reasons; child safety, criminal investigations, prosecution and utilization of post-interview services for the child and family. The forensic interview process reduces the number of times a child has to relive the abuse by minimizing the number of times recounting events. The coordinated approach works with families to coordinate the one-time, child sensitive, forensic interview/assessment to lessen trauma, coordinate any medical services that may be needed, and provide a child trauma assessment to determine counseling services to best serve them.
Senior Services serves as a focal point for engagement in activities respecting experience and skills, diverse needs and interests, enhance dignity, support independence and encourage involvement. Over 350 seniors weekly have place to visit for socialization, meals, physical activity and much more. Senior Service locations are one of the most accessible, welcoming, and economical places offering programs and services that promote engagement as well as satisfaction of life. Senior Services provides outlets for learning and creative self-expression with opportunities to renew friendships or make new friends. They also offer tools, resources, and opportunities to assist participants in managing their health and finances to stay independent and active.
In September 2022 Youth Mentoring expanded into School-Based and Youth Programing and now includes 24-hour runaway/lockout, alternative to suspension, and social emotional learning opportunities serving over 2,000 youth. Mentoring continues to provide services to youth who are susceptible to poor outcomes as adults. The one-to-one relationships build trust and friendship that can blossom into a future of unlimited potential. 24-hour runaway/lockout’s purpose is to increase family reunification/preserve and stabilize families, and to divert or minimize involvement in child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems. This is accomplished by ensuring youth safety, intervention services, assessments and stabilization plans to name a few. Alternative to suspension is an option for students who have been suspended from school and receive services at FSA in lieu of staying at home potentially not completing any academic work but rather may partake in negative activity. Services include a Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI), conversation and reflection utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to foster future positive behavior therefore diverting from potential involvement with the justice system or worse. Each social emotional learning opportunity through various formats provide individuals, mostly student-age, an opportunity to feel valued, achieve personal goals, learn through information sharing, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. In addition, especially for students, the group setting helps with academics through problem-solving, self-regulation, impulse control, and empathy, and reduces negative social behaviors. No matter the setting, opportunities allow for individuals to have a safe space in which to grow as a person.
The CFC is made up of qualified, licensed clinicians who provide an environment that empowers clients to make necessary changes in their lives. Not only does staff facilitate social emotional learning opportunities, but services occur through a biopsychosocial approach to counseling which allows people to successfully manage changes in their life journeys. FSA provides a wide range of counseling services to public/private insurance holders, uninsured, and otherwise economically disadvantaged individuals and families experiencing moderate behavioral health challenges who cannot pay for some or all services.
CAP provides access to opportunities for low-income individuals and families by providing education and empowering them with effective community resources and support to increase self-sufficiency and household stability. CAP utilizes comprehensive case management through a family centered service method based on a family's unique strengths, needs, barriers, etc. Staff helps guide clients through this transition with advocacy, support, and tools to achieve success.
