Community collaboration for stronger families with Upstream
Community-driven prevention and intervention strategies designed to strengthen children and families.
Prevention & intervention strategies to support children, families
Need an overview with guiding principles and actionable steps for partners interested in our court-led, community-based approach? Read about Upstream, a framework that leverages court resources, judicial leadership, and a host of system partnerships to enhance collaboration through local and state coordination, community mapping, and action planning. Focused on child welfare and juvenile justice systems, this approach involves a 1.5 day mapping event that results in action plans.
So often when we talk about child safety, prevention, and strengthening families, the obligation is often viewed as the children division's alone ... The Upstream youth mapping built synergy in our circuit and momentum toward positive change that previously dwindled due to the pandemic and staff shortages.
Holly Stotler
12th Circuit Manager, Missouri Department of Social Services
Making the case for change
Ensuring safe and healthy families and communities is everyone's responsibility. Court professionals, community partners, and community members must work together.
Charting a path forward
Upstream is a judicially-led, community-based approach to identify resources, services, and supports and opportunities to strengthen communities.
Mapping
Documenting resources, services, and supports available in communities and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Comprehensive landscape
Developing a comprehensive landscape of how children and families enter and move through the child welfare system and courts.
Opportunities for diversion
Identifying opportunities to provide support and services to families before and after court involvement.
Action planning
Creating a strategic plan informed by the community map.
Courts & communities moving Upstream
Learn how courts are adopting our community-based approach for improved outcomes for children and families.
Our expert
Introduce Upstream to your community
Join the growing number of communities that are using our community-based approach to strengthen children and families for better tomorrows.