Family Response Services - Hennepin County Human Services - Social Services

Hennepin County works with community agencies to deliver the Family Response service. Family Response can help, with immediate, in-person support and stabilization for children, youth, and their parents/caregivers. The model's goal is to reduce hospitalizations and other out-of-home placements by providing families with immediate, upstream support. There are no specific criteria required to initiate services, but concerns may include children and youth who are:

• Experiencing worry and concern

• Feeling down or less engaged

• Having a hard time with a family member or change in the home

• Having issues at school

• Showing aggression or anger

When a call is made to Family Response, staff will gather basic information and send a family response team to the family's location within one hour. The Family Response team will:

• De-escalate and address the immediate concern

• Engage and support the family over the next 72 hours

• Connect families to support, including an optional 8-week stabilization service. Stabilization services can provide healthy, safe behaviors, and help the child manage their daily activities.

08/06/2024