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ARS – Another Road to Safety …

Prescott-Joseph is proud to serve as a site offering Another Road to Safety, or ARS services. This is one of our newest programs and we are very excited about this opportunity to serve West Oakland families in need.

What is Another Road to Safety (ARS)?

Another Road to Safety (ARS) is an innovative effort between Alameda County Social Services Agency, First 5/Every Child Counts, and three (3) neighborhood collaboratives.

Front row left to right: Dulce Santiago, Rosalinda Ramirez,
Doniece Hill, Zakkiyyah Nazeeh.
Back row left to right: Lance M. Dennis, Carolyn C. Morgane

Lance M. Dennis, Program Director

The program serves low to moderate risk families who are diverted from Children’s Protective Services (CPS) to a community based, intensive family support service delivery program. Family-focused, strength-based services will be provided by local community based organizations.

ARS is aimed at developing and implementing community-based, in-home child abuse and neglect prevention and early intervention services that keep children from formally entering the child welfare system and builds family strengths and capacity.

The emphasis of the program is the in-home component. Another critical piece of the program is the development of a mutually acceptable family service plan, which will outline the family's goals and timetable.

In addition to Prescott-Joseph, ARS services are available at La Familia Counseling Service (South Hayward) and Family Support Services of the Bay Area (East Oakland).

Who does ARS help?

Families with children 0-18 years at risk of entering the Child Welfare System

• Neglect allegations that do not pose immediate risk for children 0-5 years
   
• Physical allegations for children over 5 years that do not include injuries
   
• Physical abuse allegations involving parent and teen conflicts for children over 12 years that do not include current injuries

How does Another Road to Safety work?

The eight (8) program components are:

1. In home, in person response to the family within seven days of the referral
    
2. Assessment, with family input, of the family's ability to parent, protect children from abuse and neglect and provide for children's special needs
    
3. Referral of families back to DCFS when risk of abuse/neglect is assessed as high
    
4. In-home parent support and education services, tailored to families needs
    
5. Health and developmental screening for all children in the home
    
6. Active referrals to providers with support for accessing services
    
7. Purchasing basic needs for families that support child well-being and parenting
    
8. Providing intervention/case management services on a weekly basis (at a minimum)

Know someone in need of help? Contact us today.

ARS Update

In August, the ARS staff held a “Back-to School” Bar-B-Que. Forty-eight children and 18 parents attended. Families were given backpacks filled with school supplies and books. We also provided haircuts to the boys. Mini-workshops were facilitated by “Healthy Kids, Healthy Teeth” and the West Oakland Asthma Coalition on asthma education, and PJCCE staff discussed school readiness and school success tips.

Since ARS began, families who have participated in this voluntary program have received food, furniture, clothing, referrals for mental health services, assistance with transportation, family outings, and referrals for respite.

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