A Powerful Tool for Family Preservation Specialists

According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, “Family preservation services are short-term, family-focused services designed to assist families in crisis by improving parenting and family functioning while keeping children safe.”

In simple terms, family preservation is exactly what it sounds like—support designed to help families stay together, grow stronger, and prevent crises that could lead to abuse, neglect, or out-of-home placement. These services are usually community-based and highly hands-on: specialists often meet with families daily to teach practical, life-changing skills.

Below are some of the core areas Family Preservation Specialists focus on—and why they matter.

Strengthening Parenting Skills

A primary role of Family Preservation Specialists is helping parents create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment. This includes developing healthy routines, improving supervision, strengthening relationships, and learning positive, effective discipline techniques. When parents grow in confidence and consistency, children ultimately thrive.

Conflict Resolution That Prevents Crisis

Conflict is inevitable in every household—but escalation doesn’t have to be. Specialists coach families on how to communicate calmly, listen actively, negotiate fairly, and find solutions before tension turns into crisis. These skills not only keep the home peaceful but also empower families long after services end.

Teaching Anger Management & Coping Skills

Managing anger is essential for every family member, not just parents. Specialists often teach practical anger-management tools, model emotional regulation, and connect clients with classes or counseling when needed. Because anger and stress often go hand in hand, coping-skills training is a key component of this work as well.

Supporting Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Many families benefit from guidance in essential life skills such as:

• Hygiene and self-care

• Budgeting and financial management

• Searching for and maintaining employment

• Accessing services and community supports

• Time management

• Organization and household routines

Strengthening ADLs helps families build independence, reduce stress, and maintain long-term stability.

A Helpful Resource for Family Preservation Professionals

For specialists seeking practical tools they can use directly with parents, The Parent Coach Plan is an effective in-home child behavior program designed to bring structure, consistency, and confidence to family life.

The program includes:

• Step-by-step parenting guidance

• Clear discipline strategies

• Behavior-management tools

• Activities and worksheets that teach coping skills to children

• A simple, highly usable behavior program families can implement immediately

It’s a supportive, easy-to-use resource for professionals who want to equip parents with practical, hands-on strategies that make a real difference.

To learn more, visit parentcoachplan.com.

The Parent Coach Plan: Helping Those Who Help Families