Family Preservation Services in North Carolina: Helping Families Stay Safely Together

When families face crisis, the stakes are incredibly high. Stress, instability, and overwhelming circumstances can put children at risk and in some cases, lead to separation through foster care.

At CHS, we believe that with the right support, many families can safely stay together.

That’s the focus of our Family Preservation program, delivered through the nationally recognized HOMEBUILDERS® model.

What Is Family Preservation?

Family Preservation is an intensive, short-term, in-home support program designed to prevent children from entering foster care and help families remain safely together.

Through the HOMEBUILDERS® model, CHS partners directly with families in crisis—providing immediate, hands-on support to stabilize the home and strengthen family relationships.

How Does the HOMEBUILDERS® Program Work?

HOMEBUILDERS® is designed to meet families in their most critical moments with rapid, high-impact intervention.
Key Features of the Program

• In-home services tailored to each family’s needs
• Crisis response to address urgent challenges
• Skill-building in parenting, communication, and problem-solving
• 24/7 availability to support families when they need it most
• Short-term, intensive support focused on long-term stability

The approach is practical, personalized, and focused on real-life change not just temporary solutions.

Who Is Family Preservation For?

Family Preservation services are designed for families who are:

• At risk of having a child removed from the home and placed into foster care
• Experiencing significant stress or crisis
• Struggling with safety, stability, or parenting challenges

The program works with families to address immediate risks while building long-term skills and resilience.

Why Keeping Families Together Matters

Research and experience show that, when safe and appropriate, children benefit from staying with their families.
Removing a child from their home can be traumatic, and it does not always address the underlying challenges.

The HOMEBUILDERS® model is built on a core belief:

Children do best when they can safely remain with their families, supported by the tools and resources needed to succeed.

What Support Do Families Receive?

Family Preservation goes beyond crisis management; it focuses on strengthening the entire family system.

Services May Include:

• Parenting guidance and coaching
• Conflict resolution and communication skills
• Emotional support and crisis stabilization
• Connections to community resources
• Strategies to create a safe and stable home environment

Each plan is tailored to the family’s specific needs, strengths, and service goals.

Proven Results

The HOMEBUILDERS® model delivers strong outcomes for families:

• 86.3% success rate in preventing placement, achieving reunification, or stabilizing families
• 91.5% of youth avoid foster care six months after services end
• 91.9% improvement in family functioning
• 94.6% progress toward family goals [chsnc.org]

These results demonstrate that intensive, family-centered support works.

A Different Kind of Intervention

Traditional services often take time to reach families, but crisis does not wait.

Family Preservation is different. It is:

• Immediate
• Intensive
• Family-centered
• Outcome-driven

It meets families in the moment – when support can make the biggest difference.

Building Stability That Lasts

At CHS, we know that families do not need to be perfect, they need support.

Family Preservation reflects our belief that with the right tools, guidance, and encouragement, families can overcome challenges and create safe, stable environments for their children.

Because when families stay together safely, children are stronger and communities are healthier.