Allegheny Family Network’s Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) Partnership

Allegheny Family Network’s Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) Partnership is a program that identifies families involved in the High Fidelity Wraparound process.

About the Program:

The CYF Partnership has ten Guiding Principles:

• Family Voice and Choice
• Team Based
• Natural Supports
• Collaboration
• Community Based
• Culturally Competent
• Individualized
• Strengths Based
• Persistence
• Outcome Based

AFN’s Family Support Partners as part of the CYF Initiative offer:

• Open discussions with families from their own similar experiences and offer emotional support
• Support in having their voice and choice heard in what they believe is best for their family
• Support with resources and information for their family
• Support in being an advocate for their child when needed to negotiate education, mental health treatment, social development, CYF, and Juvenile Justice Systems.

 Children, Youth and Families CYF Programs

1. AFN FSPs in CYF family court support families coming through who are not in the High Fidelity Wraparound process. The FSP aides the family before court to understand the process, supports the family during the court proceedings, and meets to debrief with the family after court.  Ongoing Family Support is offered to the family, and if they choose to continue, Allegheny Family Network assigns a FSP for one on one support. 
2. The Permanency Program in the CYF unit is utilized when a CYF worker refers a family struggling with issues regarding permanency for their children.  A FSP can support the family in understanding and planning for goals set forth by the court for reunification or the maintenance of family stability.  They can also act as a “link” between the family and child welfare office to ensure that each understands the desires or mandates of one another.
3. The Conferencing and Teaming process is the new way that The Allegheny County Department of Human Services – Children, Youth and Families office carries out business in Allegheny County.   AFN FSP’s, work directly with CYF casework staff to deliver this process to families.  The process is designed to hear the family voice and bring all the providers working with the family together for Family Meetings.   During these meetings a family plan is designed and each provider along with the family works to accomplish the goals that have been set to ensure the safety and well-being of the child(ren) and the family unit.  AFN receives referrals from the various CYF offices and are excited to be a part of this process.