Family Works
The purpose of the Heartland Family Service Family Works is to promote stable sobriety and economic
self-sufficiency for mothers, and enhance a strong, protective maternal bond for their children. Women accepted into Family Works will live with their children in an apartment and community setting while they progress through the treatment and aftercare process. Support will be intensive in the beginning, with steps for continuing care through the remainder of the stay to ensure lasting sobriety for parents and safety for children, as they establish independent or transitional housing.
The philosophy of Family Works is that women with substance use problems are more likely to enter, engage in, remain in, and benefit from treatment services if they are able to maintain their relationships with their children by residing with them during treatment. Our mission is to promote enduring Recovery Support for women/mothers and to preserve and strengthen their capabilities to raise healthy, well-functioning children. Both short-term and long-term treatment is available. Services are also available to women without children.
Family Works has strong cooperation between the child welfare system and behavioral health system which is critical for successful reunification and improved parental functioning. These services will concurrently treat the substance disorder and the parenting concerns, saving valuable time in the lives of young children who need permanent, dependable, and capable caregivers.
Family Works also includes a supportive housing services designed to assist families in a sober living environment to achieve independent housing. This includes supportive services, such as case management and therapeutic services with the goal of self-sufficiency.
Areas Served
Iowa: Council Bluffs and southwest Counties
Nebraska: Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, & Washington Counties
Eligibility & Fees
Must be recommended for residential substance use treatment and either be pregnant, have their children with them, or be able to be reunited with their children within 30 days.
Fees: Sliding fee, typically no cost to client
Iowa Funding: The Heartland Family Service Family Works (IA) services are part of the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Integrated Provider Network, with services funded by the IDPH and the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Additional support for the program is provided by the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation’s Southwest Iowa Women’s Fund.
These services are supported in part by a grant from the United Way of the Midlands.
Nebraska Funding: This project is supported by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 funding for State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) and is being administered by the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) by way of an award totaling $541,680. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, BHECN, UNMC, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit: Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska
Classes
Dads build a stronger bond with your children!
Family Works Iowa offers the National Fatherhood Initiative class 24-7 Dad, which is a nationally recognized program designed for any dad who wants to improve his knowledge and skills to help him raise healthy children.
Classes meet every Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Heartland Family Service H. Lee Gendler Center, 515 E. Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA.
For more information or to register for class, contact: (712) 322-1407.
Funding: 24-7 Dad is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Public Health