The primary role of the Family Services Department is to provide assistance to at-risk families in order to keep their children safe from abuse and neglect in their own homes. This is best accomplished in partnership with the family through protective services provided by this agency and the community to ensure child safety and family stability.

Family Services caseworkers initiate services by engaging families to actively participate in the development of their case plan; they identify what is important to healthy family functioning and take action to achieve these goals.  In 2007, the Family Services Department worked with 548 families.

Mahoning County Children Services served approximately 5,000 children in 2007, yet the Family Services Department averaged only 190 children per month in foster care placement.  These figures clearly demonstrate our committment to keep children, when possible within their own family systems.

When services to support and empower families cannot protect chidren in their own homes, temporary plaement with extended family or kin may be required.  Such least restrictive placements maintain continuity for children and preserve important relationships.  In 2007, 124 committments to relative/non-relative families took place.  In those rare occasions when parents are unable or do not wish to reunify their families, and no relatives or kin are available, then permanent custody may be obtained.  In 2007, the Family Services Department was granted permanent custody of 34 children.

As per the mission of Mahoning County Children Services, the family Services Department engages many community partnerships to protect children and preserve families.