Page 5 - Samaritas Our Hands Winter 2024

Families Find Hope with the new

MiFamily Together Program

Samaritas is proud to announce that it has
received pilot contracts for the new, state-wide
family preservation program, MiFamily Together
(MFT). Our caseworkers will be helping families
thrive in the Allegan/Muskegon/Ottawa area,
Macomb County in Southeast Michigan, and the
Washtenaw/Lenawee/Monroe region as well.

Samaritas has been a valued partner with the state
for many years, handling clients through a number
of family preservation and reunification programs.
But there are key differences between MFT and
other family preservation programs.

MFT has much broader eligibility requirements
that will enable us to serve families that previously
would not qualify under other family preservation
programs. A few examples are relative, or kinship
care providers that are at risk of placement being
disrupted without supports in place, low risk
Child Protective Services (CPS) prevention cases,
and Post Adoption Resource Center (PARC)
referrals for families that are at risk of adoption
being disrupted/dissolved.

All referrals now come through one central point of contact. Referral sources no longer have to decide which program the family qualifies for
because the new process comprises one referral that will get assigned to whichever agency has an opening.

In addition, the family does not have to experience multiple providers and workers based on their needs. They stay with one agency and one
worker for the duration of their case. MiFamily Together can service a family up to 180 days with a possible extension of an additional 90 days.
This is much longer than the previous models.

MiFamily Together will tailor the program to the needs of the family. Risk assessments will be completed monthly to determine intensity and
weekly face to face hours. This can change and evolve throughout the case based on the needs of the family. Services can be considered
completed at any time in the 6 months if the risk is lowered and the goals are met.

MiFamily Together embraces the 2Gen approach that aims to meet the needs and enhance supports for the family as a whole and not just the
parents or the children. Goals will be created for the family, caregivers and children to ensure all needs are met.

Clients must be referred to the program by a referral source such as CPS, foster care, PARC, domestic violence shelter, or tribe. There are no
self-referrals. Once a referral is completed, the assigned worker will begin meeting face to face with families to provide services in their homes.
A comprehensive assessment (Family Advocacy and Support Tool) will be completed in the first 30 days to determine intensity and risk level.
This will also be used to direct goal formation. Goals and safety plans are collaboratively created with the family and MFT worker, with input
from the referring worker. Goals can evolve and change throughout the case.

MFT workers spend the next 5 months meeting with the families to accomplish goals, provide advocacy, make referrals to community
resources, ensure families are connected with mental health services, early childhood education, developmental supports and other services as
needed. This includes skill teaching on a variety of topics, transporting families to appointments, sharing resources and connecting the family
to community agencies, strengthening social supports, obtaining concrete need items, and providing parenting guidance.

Goals specific to children may include self-esteem, identifying emotions, getting connected to mental health, advocacy around education and
special education/services, and reaching developmental milestones. Goals and safety plans are reviewed and updated monthly.

The new program is underway and going well. For more information about how you can help more families
thrive through mentorship, financial assistance and community resource connections, contact Jennifer Williams
at jwill2@samaritas.org; OR, donate to support this important work by visiting www.samaritas.org/donate.

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