Preserving families through early intervention in Tennessee

Family Preservation Initiative

Across the nation, courts frequently see families facing the same struggles — again and again. By the time a family reaches a courtroom, they have often been struggling for months, if not years, without the resources or support they desperately need. This delay not only worsens the crisis but also deepens the trauma for children and caregivers.

To address this issue, the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts and Rutherford County Juvenile Services launched the Family Preservation Initiative (FPI) in partnership with NCSC and the State Justice Initiatiive in 2021. FPI focuses on intervening early to provide support before families reach the court system. By connecting families to local resources and services quickly, FPI reduces the need for court involvement and helps families avoid further trauma.

Reaching families through community support

FPI provides families with timely support, connecting them with local resources before they ever set foot in a courtroom. Referrals come from a variety of sources, including:

• Schools and school resource officers
• Law enforcement
• Community mental health providers
• Juvenile court staff
• Other local agencies
• Families themselves

Within 24 to 48 hours of receiving a referral, FPI staff reach out to the family to coordinate care. Each response is tailored to the family's needs — whether they require mental health support, transportation, food assistance, housing help, or simply someone to listen.

The impact of early intervention

 As of March 2025, FPI has served 594 families and 1,119 children. The results speak for themselves:

• 0% recidivism among FPI-served children and siblings
• Fewer school suspensions, citations, and behavioral incidents
• Stronger relationships between families, schools, and service providers
• Lasting community connections that continue even after cases close

Without FPI, the families served would have likely entered the juvenile court system. Instead, the program's early intervention has helped reduce trauma, strengthen families, and alleviate the strain on the court system.

Moving forward

FPI stands out because it isn't a one-size-fits-all program. It takes a family-first, trauma-informed approach that emphasizes prevention over punishment, providing individualized services for the entire family. The program fosters community collaboration and shared responsibility, focusing on empowerment. Whether it's introducing a child to karate or boxing, or offering a family emergency food or counseling, FPI's goal is always to strengthen families.

Watch the Together, We Thrive video