Family Support Services

A statewide parent support network run by parents of individuals with special needs. Provides education and support to families, especially those who are on the waiting list or are in services with the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD). Links families to local resources, services, and disability-friendly events. 

Leaders located across Utah- refer to website for local network information.

Support group for Fatty Oxidation Disorders. Raises funds for Educational and Networking Services and Programs. Medical information, including information about newborn screening, and support resources.

Provides inpatient and outpatient therapy services for families, individuals, parents, and children.

• General Counseling Services
• Family Preservation Programs

Conditions and Treatments:

• Depression
• Bipolar
• ADHD/ADD
• Oppositional Defiance
• PDD
• Poor self-esteem
• Learning disabilities
• School failure
• Motivation
• Problem solving skills
• Coping and self-management
• Parenting and marital issues

Emotional and informational support for families of children who have special needs, Parent to Parent-USA (P2P-USA) is a national nonprofit organization committed to assuring access and quality in Parent to Parent support across the country. This site highlights state's organizations that have parent to parent support as a core program and are committed to implementing evidence-based practices.

Programs located at military installations throughout the world that handle inquiries from military personnel, retirees, reservists and their family members, conducts assessments of their needs and refers them to sources of help available at the installation or in the local community.

• Community Clinics
• Military Family Service/Support Centers
• Veteran/Military Health Insurance

• Comprehensive Immigration/Naturalization Services
• Case/Care Management
• General Expectant/New Parent Assistance
• Extended Child Care
• Community Based Preschools
• Prenatal Care
• Family Support Centers/Outreach
• Summer Camps
• Parent Counseling

24/7 crisis nursery care and respite breaks at three locations in Salt Lake County, for a couple of hours to up to 72 hours each time. Parents who are stressed, need a break, have an emergency arise, or have no one else to help take care of their children can leave their children safely in our care. Please call one of our crisis nurseries to schedule an appointment.

Other locations: West Valley 801 967-4259, Midvale 801 255-6881
Fifteen locations in the Utah Association of Family Support Centers, not all offering the same services. Also in Ogden.

Online resource: A federal government web site, developed by the Educational Opportunities Directorate with support from Navy Lifelines, provides information for military families with special needs. It is designed to share information with military families on Department of Defense efforts and civilian community programs to support families with special needs within the military community.

• Children's Out of Home Respite Care
• Parenting Skills Classes
• Social Skills Training
• Child Abuse Counseling
• Play Therapy
• Crisis Nurseries/Child Care
• Sexual Assault Prevention
• General Counseling Services
• Developmental Assessment
• Stress Management

Janelle Christensen, MSW, Executive Director

Stuart Harper, LCSW

Larry A. Krause, BSW, MSW: Specializes in treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder and child centered play therapy.

See website or contact for additional provider names and specialties. All providers may not provide all services

Residential group homes for adolescent boys and girls, therapeutic foster homes for adolescent boys and girls described as pre-delinquent, delinquent, or emotionally disturbed, in-home services available for families experiencing problems with their children and difficulties in their home.

• Children's/Adolescent Residential Treatment Facilities
• Family Preservation Programs
• Home Based Parenting Education
• Parenting Skills Classes
• Therapeutic Foster Homes
• Adult/Child Mentoring Programs

Jeffrey Bright, LCSW

Approaches Used:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Family Therapy Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Biofeedback

Kim Mann, LCSW

Approaches Used:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Family Therapy
Biofeedback

Siope Kinikini,CMHC

Approaches Used:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Family Therapy Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

See website or contact for additional provider names and specialties. All providers may not provide all services.

Mission of Graham's Foundation is to support, comfort, inform, and guide families who experience a premature birth.

Programs:

• NICU, transition home, and remembrance care package programs
• Trained preemie parent mentors available 24/7 via email, phone, and text
• MyPreemie, the market-leading app for parents of premature babies
• Online communities with tens of thousands engaged parents making new connections

Onsite program: families may live at the National Home for up to 4 years where they will be provided with: housing, education, daycare, basic needs, recreation, and case management.

Remote program: Military and Veteran Family Helpline can be reached at 800-313-4200.

The primary office for preventing and treating family maltreatment, including Domestic Violence and Child Abuse, for active duty members, guards, reservists, retirees and their families. Services include new parents support program, pregnancy classes, anger management, parenting class, marital therapy, outreach programs, and therapy for abuse cases, victim advocates, crisis counseling, safety planning, support, and referral resources.

• Crime Victim Support
• General Expectant/New Parent Assistance
• Military Family Service/Support Centers
• Child Abuse Counseling
• Spouse/Intimate Partner Abuse Counseling
• Anger Management

Hand to Hold® helps families before, during, and after a NICU stay and infant loss by providing powerful resources for the whole family, and most importantly, one-on-one mentoring from someone who has been there.

Services:

• Peer Support
• Online Community
• Resources (hospital, online, podcast)

1. Relocation Assistance Program - assistance to personnel moving to or from Hill Air Force Base.
2. Transition Assistance Program - employment assistance is provided to individuals who are separating or retiring from active duty or civilians leaving federal service.
3. Employment Assistance Program - aids spouses in their search for local area employment.
4. Personal Financial Management - basic budgeting, check writing, and credit card education. Financial training for first term airmen.
5. Family Life Education - personal and family education and assessment counseling. Topics include communication and problem solving skills, parenting classes, child and family development, time and life management, managing stress, and single parent support.
6. Family Readiness Program - assists DoD personnel and families prepare for and cope with separations due to deployments, remote tours, disasters, and evacuations.
7. Information and Referral - provides accurate, up-to-date information and referral to on and off base agencies and services for individuals and families.
8. Volunteer Resources Program - matching volunteers with opportunities to work, learn new skills, meet new people, and develop a better resume/portfolio of experience. Coordinates base volunteer activities and recognition.

Provides inpatient and outpatient therapy services for families, individuals, parents, and children.

• Family Preservation Programs
• General Counseling Services

• Planning/Coordinating/Advisory Groups

Provides support to patients and families during extended stays at Primary Children's Hospital.

Services Include:

• Child Life Specialists
• Expressive Therapies
• Family Advisory Council
• Family Mentor Program
• Kid's Clubhouse
• Language Services
• Pet Therapy Volunteers
• Rainbow Kids Palliative Care
• Ronald McDonald Family Room
• School Services
• Social Work
• Spiritual Care
• Bereavement Program