Strengthening Plans of Safe Care Through Community Pathways

Families affected by substance use during pregnancy may need coordinated support with health care, treatment, parenting, and infant care. Plans of Safe Care are voluntary plans developed with families to identify their needs and connect them with appropriate services. This resource from Chapin Hall examines how states and communities can strengthen these plans by improving coordination across child welfare, public health, health care, behavioral health, and community organizations. It highlights a persistent gap: families may be identified as needing support without receiving consistent follow-up or meaningful connections to services.

For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, this resource offers practical ideas for improving referrals and partnerships that help families access support before challenges escalate. Programs can contribute by coordinating with community providers, identifying appropriate funding opportunities, and helping families connect with services that promote stability and well-being. The resource also emphasizes the importance of distinguishing voluntary support from child protection investigations, helping agencies build pathways that encourage families to seek assistance. TANF programs can use these insights to strengthen service coordination, reduce barriers to care, and improve support for parents and infants.