BELLEVILLE - Caritas Family Solutions is expanding its mission to help children and families across the region thrive with the launch of its new Office of Community Connection (OCC) program. This initiative focuses on prevention and connects families with critical resources and support services before challenges become emergencies.
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The OCC program offers short-term, voluntary assistance to families experiencing hardship who do not require formal child welfare intervention. Through this program, Caritas staff can respond quickly, meet families in their homes, assess their needs and connect them with community-based support.
“This program allows us to work with families at a time when they need help the most,” said Hope Carbonaro, Chief Program Officer at Caritas Family Solutions. “It gives us the opportunity to stabilize children safely in their homes, rather than families feeling overwhelmed by deeper involvement from the state. Our goal is to prevent further trauma for youth and to connect families with resources that give them a leg up and help them move forward.”
This recent initiative is part of the state of Illinois’ growing emphasis on prevention and early support for families. When a hotline call does not meet the threshold for abuse or neglect, families may be referred to OCC instead of entering a formal investigation process. Caritas case managers then meet with families promptly to ensure children’s safety and identify supports that can help stabilize the household. These supports may include connections to local food pantries and community programs, counseling and mental health services, transportation to appointments, referrals for housing, utility, or financial assistance, and hands-on guidance from family support specialists.
“Sometimes families just need help getting their head above water,” explained Carbonaro. “We can connect them to the right support so they can get the help they need and don’t feel so alone. Our hope is that we can always reach families before an incident of abuse or neglect ever occurs. If we can be part of preventing that and bringing families together, that is why we do this work.”
