Your case plan and parenting programs

Ask what the program is meant to address

Washington uses several evidence-based programs, each built for a different concern and a different age range. A general referral is worth questioning if it does not match your family.

Incredible Years

For parents of children roughly 0–12 who need support with behavior management and positive discipline. Typically 8–21 weeks, group-based or in-home.

Often appropriate where the concern is discipline, a child’s disruptive behavior, or the parent-child relationship.

Promoting First Relationships

For parents of infants and toddlers, roughly 0–5, focused on attachment and reading a young child’s cues. Typically 10–14 weeks of in-home coaching.

Often appropriate where bonding is the concern, or when a very young child is returning home after a placement.

SafeCare

For parents of children roughly 0–5 focused on basic caregiving, home safety, and child health. Typically 18–22 weekly in-home visits.

Often appropriate where the concerns are home hazards, routines, or managing a young child’s health needs.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

For parents of children roughly 2–7, using live coaching to build discipline strategies and strengthen interaction. Typically 12–15 sessions.

Often appropriate where there are frequent tantrums or defiance, or concerns about harsh discipline.

Functional Family Therapy (FFT)

For families with pre-teens and teenagers, roughly 11–18, focused on conflict, communication, and boundaries. Typically 12–16 sessions over three to four months.

Often appropriate where the concern is family conflict or a teenager’s behavior rather than early-childhood caregiving.

Triple P — Positive Parenting Program

For parents of children roughly 2–18, focused on discipline, behavior, and parenting stress. Typically 10–14 sessions, group or individual.

Homebuilders (Intensive Family Preservation Services)

For families in crisis where removal is imminent or a child is returning home within days. Very intensive — roughly four to six weeks with a great deal of direct contact.

This is the program to ask about when the alternative is removal this week.

Getting the referral right

• ✓ Ask which specific concern the program is meant to address.
• ✓ Ask whether it matches your child’s age and needs.
• ✓ Raise access problems immediately — location, schedule, transportation, child care.
• ✓ Start as soon as the referral exists. Waitlists are common; get on them.
• ✗ Do not quietly skip a service you cannot access. Report the barrier in writing.