The Extended Family Homes Program (EFH)

EFH is a concept as old as history itself. Its purpose is to bring support back to families, particularly families of color, by opening homes to children or families who have been locked in the DHS system. 

The extended family homes provide high-risk/at-risk youth with a stabilized family lifestyle that enables them to become productive and responsible individuals. 

Through this program, each youth gains a sense of belonging, guidance, and the opportunity to thrive in a nurturing environment. The extended family becomes the adolescents forever family. Interested families are then certified for the program and parents receive support services (finances, resources, respite, mentoring, counseling, etc).

The EFH is comprised of eight (8) major services areas:

• Counseling
• Extended Family Homes program
• Adoption Home recruitment
• Respite care
• Mentoring Support Groups and Mentor Training
• Creative Parenting (training for both biological and extended families)
• Life sustainability skills
• Race reconciliation - Understanding differences and commonalities