What we do

Helping Children, Parents & Families

Family Transition Support Services supports the community by offering a safe and caring environment to engage and teach children.  We work collaboratively with parents and guardians to help ensure each child receives needed social, emotional and educational support. 

After School Program

FTSS offers after school services to children in the Mercer County, within Trenton and Hamilton Township.  We offer a safe, structured, educational and healthy environment for at-risk youth between 6 and 14 years old.  

Our program helps kids deal with various emotional stresses such as keeping safe, peer pressure, drug and alcohol use, anger management, gang awareness, nutrition, hygiene, ethical dilemmas, respect for authority, respect of others, and social awareness. 

The program focuses on building character and enhancing life skills. Children receive homework help and reading assistance every day.  FTSS provides guidance, support and education through non-traditional and innovative methods. 

Transportation is available from school to the program and home for children residing in Trenton or Hamilton Township.

SUMMER CAMP

The summer camp program offers children between 5 and 14 years old the opportunity to participate in a unique program geared to keep at-risk youth occupied during non-traditional, non-school hours. Services are geared to those who are high energy, need additional support, and/or require a smaller group size to perform at their optimal level. 

Children involved in camp participate in a variety of activities, including: Art, educational trips, Princeton SAVE Animal Shelter visits, general recreation, exercise and field trips. Older children may also receive job readiness skills training. 

The program focuses on the whole child and endeavors to support their emotional, physical, social health and well-being. 

Transportation to and from the program is available for children residing in Trenton or Hamilton Township.

Mentoring

FTSS mentors are committed to providing youth with a positive role model. A mentor is someone who will empower the youth to make effective decisions and link them to community resources when a need is identified by the youth, parent, guardian or lead agency.

Our mentors build strong and meaningful relationships with the youth they serve and are dedicated to their education, emotional, physical, social health, and well-being.

Mentoring services for children between 5 and 14 years old includes socialization, communication, and decision making skills.  Children between 15 and 18 years old may also receive life skills and job readiness training to assist them with future planning, job searches and entrepreneurship opportunities.

In COMMUNITY Counseling

FTSS counseling services are provided by trained mental health professionals specializing in many specific areas of need, using creative and flexible approaches. Counseling services include family-driven treatment based on targeted requirements and are designed to create positive behavioral changes, strengthen the family, provide family stability and improve the quality of life.

The services are intended to promote mental health, emotional and social well-being among at-risk children and families to help prevent future adversity.

The process includes:  Screening/Intake, Assessment, Individual & Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention & Stabilization, Psycho-Education & Skills Coaching/Development. 

FTSS offers guided emotional therapy by trained professionals to provide specialized counseling to parents, caregivers, kids, and family members.

In the spirit of the design of our system of care, services are flexible in how they can be utilized from family to family.  No two individuals are alike.  At FTSS, the treatment plan is customized to fit the needs of the individual and family, optimizing success.

Evaluations

FTSS evaluation services are provided by qualified clinical professionals who perform evaluations in their areas of specialty. Examiners are experienced and knowledgeable in assessing the needs of children who have unique challenges and complex needs. The goal is to provide clarification, recommendations and interventions.

Evaluations include: BioPsychoSocial Needs Assessments (BPS-NA), Fire Setting Risk, Psychosexual, and Substance Use/Abuse.

Transportation

Transportation to Middlesex Youth Detention Center is provided at no cost to parents and grandparents visiting their children at the facility.  Services are geared to help families maintain regular communication and visitation with their children.

Family Empowerment Program

The Family Empowerment Program (FEP) is an intensive, in-home family education program that strives to improve the overall family dynamics.  Families will experience positive improvements as services are provided based upon each family’s needs.

FTSS provides a professional parent coach who helps parents cultivate a better relationship with their children. The Parent Coach assists parents with creating a parenting plan and then supports them in implementing the plan with activities to achieve goals and drive family defined success.