Forest County Children and Youth Services

Information on Services

General Protective Services are provided to protect children from being further neglected or abused. Efforts to prevent need for removal from home - In its effort to assist the child and the child's parents, pursuant to federal regulation, the county agency will make reasonable efforts prior to the placement of a child in foster care, to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from his home, and to make it possible for the child to return to home. Foster care is designed to provide a temporary substitute family experience for a child who has been removed from their biological home for a variety of reasons. The primary goal of foster care is to reunite families, if possible. The Independent Living Program is a voluntary program designed to aid youth learn skills and locate resources that will be useful to them in their transition to adulthood. Skills needed for this transition are taught. The Independent Living caseworker will also assist the youth with education, employment and housing. This would include, but not limited to, encouraging those attending high school to complete their education and graduate. Those that have chosen to obtain their GED, the Independent Living caseworker will aid in that process. Students desiring higher education, the Independent Living caseworker will assist these students with SATs, necessary college paperwork and completion of financial aid forms.  Assistance with employment, such as aiding in resume writing, interview skills, and application completion are also offered. The overall goal of the Perinatal Program is to promote bonding and to raise children in nurturing and safe environments. The Perinatal Program provides services to families from their first trimester of pregnancy until the child is 3 years old. The Perinatal Program caseworker provides information, education, and emotional support to the family. The Perinatal Program caseworker will come directly to the home to provide services. Assistance with transportation to appointments that are necessary for the health and well-being of the mother and child is also provided.