What is the School-Based Child & Family Support Team (CFST) Initiative?

• It’s goal is to eliminate barriers and reduce risk factors that may keep children from being successful.
• It is a statewide pilot program developed through the leadership of the Office of the Governor
• The 2005 Appropriations Act provides legislative authority and funding for this school- based initiative

What does a Child & Family Support Team Do? (CFST)

A CFST is comprised of a full-time school social worker and full-time registered nurse at the designated school site. Their primary responsibilities are:

• Identify and assess unmet physical, social, legal, emotional and developmental factors that affect academic performance
• Help families develop teams of family and community members who are committed to the child’s success
• Facilitate Child & Family Team Meetings
• Provide student and family support services at school and at home

What are the goals of the Child and Family Support Team? 

• Support and build upon the strengths, assets and preferences for each child and family
• Include parents as partners in the care and education of their children
• Improve the lives of children so they will achieve academic success and remain in their own homes
• Coordinate services with community agencies

The Referral Process 

• Referrals can be made by anyone concerned about a child who attends a school with a Child and Family Support Team
• Students and Families can refer themselves
• Upon referral, the CFS Team with discuss concerns with the family and an assessment will be completed to determine what services will be needed to best promote success.

What is a Child and Family Plan?

It is a coordinated service plan developed with the family that lists what is needed, what is expected, and who will be responsible for what.

• It may exist along with other student plans such as the...
• Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Behavior Improvement Plan (BIP)
• Individual Health Plan (IHP)
• Other community agency plans

The Child & Family Support Team may include any of the following. 

• Students & Families
• Family Support Systems (Relatives, friends, faith community, etc.)
• School Administration, Teachers or other staff
• Mental Health Agencies
• Caldwell County Department of Social Services (DSS)
• Caldwell County Public Health
• Department of Juvenile Justice
• Local physicians or other medical professionals

 Who are the Child and Family Support Team Members at your school?

Gamewell Elementary
Kelly Matthews- Social Worker
Michele Gibbs- School Nurse

Gamewell Middle School
Alexis Holt- Social Worker
Angela Proffit- School Nurse

West Caldwell High School
Ashley McKinney- Social Worker
Hayley Penley- School Nurse

Whitnel Elementary
Kim Jones- Social Worker
Margaret Sides- School Nurse

CFST- Duke Evaluation Center Website