Services for Families

Sam Mahan Center provides trauma-informed care and comprehensive services for children and youth aged 6-17, focusing on their well-being and reunification with family or relatives in the United States. For those without immediate family connections, we work to find long-term shelter homes. Our team values diversity, fairness, and respect, fostering a supportive environment built on open communication, collaboration, and commitment to the children we serve.

KAPS partners with the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department to support youth aged 10-18 and their families. Through Functional Family Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and comprehensive case management, we provide trauma-informed care while respecting and honoring cultural values. Collaborating with the court system, we participate in multidisciplinary staffings to update on youth progress and advocate for their needs, fostering positive outcomes for youth in the juvenile justice system.

The Supervised Visitation program in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, supports the reunification of families by facilitating and overseeing safe, structured visits between children in foster or kinship care and their birth parents. Held in a secure, homelike setting, visits are scheduled flexibly, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate all parties. The program prioritizes safety with strict rules, secure facilities, and thorough care coordination with other service providers. Visitation Aides observe and document interactions to assess parenting skills and improvements, promoting positive parent-child relationships. Designed to be free from any form of abuse, the program aims to strengthen families and foster meaningful connections.

The Parenting Education Program supports families and communities by teaching, modeling, and strengthening effective parenting skills through evidence-based, strength-based, and trauma-informed care. Designed for families with children from infancy to age 18 who may be at risk of abuse, neglect, conflict, or instability, the program offers short-term, intensive family and home-based interventions. Staff act as community liaisons, connecting families to essential services and supporting their progress. With a focus on preserving family unity, ensuring children’s safety, and reducing out-of-home placements, the program empowers parents to make better choices and create stable, nurturing environments for their children.

The VisionQuest Truancy Program supports children, youth, and families in Luzerne County by addressing school attendance challenges through three distinct models: Check and Connect, The PASS Program, and the Truancy Ongoing Program. Designed for K-12 students, the program helps eliminate barriers to school attendance, fostering pathways to graduation. Families and students may transition between models as needed, guided by a multidisciplinary team. The Truancy Ongoing Program provides additional support for families facing complex issues such as behavior or mental health concerns, substance use, or parent/child conflict, with staff offering weekly check-ins, court testimony, and detailed reporting to county agencies.

The FFT program provides specialized, family-focused treatment for youth aged 11-18 and their families, utilizing a strength-based, relational approach where all members feel respected and heard. Referrals often come from agencies like Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare, and Mental/Behavioral Health. Functional Family Therapy (FFT) aims to engage and motivate families, reduce risk factors, enhance protective factors, and create sustainable behavior change through individualized plans. The program fosters positive relationships and equips families with the tools to utilize community resources, promoting long-term success and well-being.

The DE Umbrella Program provides comprehensive, statewide services for justice-involved youth aged 10-19 and their families. Services include Pre-Trial Case Management, Accountability (curfew/surveillance), Functional Family Therapy, Mentoring, and community-based interventions tailored to each youth’s criminogenic needs. Committed to fostering recovery, growth, and independence, the program equips youth with skills for successful adaptation to home, school, work, and community life. Guided by values of care, integrity, and dedication, the DE Umbrella Program works to reduce the likelihood of criminality and incarceration, empowering youth and families to build fulfilling, competency-driven futures.

VisionQuest’s Community-Based Prevention Program supports families and communities by addressing educational, medical, social, and emotional needs while enhancing parental involvement and family well-being. Designed to prevent child abuse, neglect, and family dependency on child welfare or juvenile probation services, the program provides advocacy, family support, and referrals to community resources. It also assists families experiencing homelessness or eviction in finding appropriate housing within their local community. By fostering collaborative relationships with schools and community partners, the program helps families build skills, expand social networks, and reduce risk factors, ensuring the safety and well-being of children and families.

The Nurturing Parenting Education Program provides parenting education to parents of all ages who need support in developing effective caregiving skills. With a focus on respect and understanding, the program treats all parents equally, regardless of their reason for involvement. By equipping parents with the tools and knowledge to become the best caregivers possible, the program promotes the well-being and best interests of their children.