Program Description
Safe Families is a network of families who are passionate about helping and caring for at-risk children and their parents. These volunteers open their homes and take in children whose families are experiencing an emergency or crisis. Designed to extend and strengthen the community safety net for at-risk families, Safe Families is a postive alternative to the state child welfare system.

The voluntary and non-coercive nature of Safe Families is a hallmark of the program. Parents in crisis are able to place their children in safe homes, still maintaining custody of their children. They are free from punitive interactions and coercive behavior. They are encouraged to be actively involved in their children's lives and participate in decisions regarding their care.

Objectives
1. Child Welfare Deflection: The Safe Families Program provides a safe alternative to child welfare custody, thus significantly reducing the number of children entering the child welfare system. State child protection workers routinely encourage parents to place children in a Safe Family as part of a Safety Plan in order to avoid the state taking custody of their children.

2. Child Abuse Prevention: Safe Families provides a safe, temporary place for children whose parents are overwhelmed and have limited resources or social supports. This can avert immediate abuse episodes, and allow time and space for the parent to actively address issues without the threat of losing custody.

3. Family Support and Stabilization: Many parents struggle in their roles because of limited informal social supports and unavailable extended family. In some cases, a Safe Family becomes the extended family that a parent never had. In these situations, periodic placement with an identified Safe Family is quite normal and expected.

Contact Us
Robb Rennix, Safe Families Coordinator-Rockford

Cell: (815) 978-8151