Families First of Michigan (FFM) is a voluntary program that provides intensive in-home services to quickly stabilize and preserve the family. Caring FFM professionals will work intensively with the family to strengthen protective factors to reduce the safety risks within the home.

At the end of this intervention, families will:

• Remain intact
• Accomplish the identified goals created
• Increase community connections
• Increase natural supports
• Learn a variety of new skills to increase family self-sufficiency

How it Works

FFM serves families with children aged 0–17 who are at high risk of removal from their homes. The FFM worker will assess the needs of the whole family by utilizing the Two-Generational (2Gen) approach.

The participating family will:

• Meet in-person with an FFM worker for a minimum of 10 hours per week for 4 to 6 weeks, based on the family's schedule
• Work collaboratively with the FFM worker to create goals that address the needs of the family
• Gain a variety of new skills such as parenting, budgeting, connecting to community resources, accessing mental and physical health services, and increasing natural supports
• Have 24/7 access to FFM during this period

Referral Sources

Participants must have a referral to participate in this family preservation program. Referrals to FFM are typically made by Child Protective Services (CPS) workers, foster care specialists, juvenile justice case managers, or other professionals within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). In certain counties, tribal and domestic violence shelters can also make referrals to the program.