Strong Families Preventive Services

Forestdale’s Strong Families Preventive Program helps families facing challenges stay safely together and build stronger, more resilient futures. We provide evidence-based, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed services to prevent family separation and support long-term stability.

What Are Preventive Services?

Preventive services are designed to support families when stress, trauma, or crisis puts them at risk of child welfare involvement or foster care placement. Just like preventive healthcare, these services offer early support—before problems become emergencies.

Our services are voluntary, confidential, and free of charge to families in Queens and Brooklyn. We partner with parents and caregivers to keep children safe at home, strengthen family relationships, and help youth thrive. Preventive Services is now our largest program, helping more families address challenging situations and stay together.

Forestdale offers three Preventive services program models:

• Solution-Based Casework: A goal-oriented casework model with proven results

• Family Treatment & Rehabilitation: A unique model for families struggling with mental health or substance use

• Trauma Systems Therapy: An evidence-informed model that helps children & families heal from trauma

Forestdale has delivered high-quality preventive services for over twenty years. We’ve served thousands of families, providing support that builds on each family’s strengths. If your family needs help, we are here for you at our Forest Hills headquarters and our Downtown Brooklyn and Jamaica locations. We can also visit you at your home.

Who We Serve

• Families coping with mental health concerns, substance use, domestic violence, or housing instability

• Young parents, including expectant and parenting teens

• Families with youth showing behavioral concerns

• Families reuniting after foster care placement

• Families who have adopted and need additional support

What We Offer

Through a team of dedicated social workers, case planners, and community partners, we provide:

• In-home counseling and parenting support

• Crisis intervention and safety planning

• Clinical mental health services and referrals

• Housing advocacy and stability assistance

• Youth mentoring and educational support

• Domestic violence and trauma recovery services

• Referral to respite care

• Connection to resources for childcare, job training, legal aid, and more

We focus on building trust and creating a customized plan to help a family meet its goals, grow stronger, and stay connected.

Why It Matters

Families with early support are more likely to overcome challenges and avoid family separation. Our goal is to strengthen families, reduce the need for foster care, and promote safety, permanency, and well-being for every child.