Family Urgent Response System

This hub is intended to provide background information, resources, and links about the FURS program.

FURS is a coordinated statewide, regional, and county-level system designed to provide collaborative and timely state-level phone-based response and county-level in-home, in-person mobile response during situations of instability, to preserve the relationship of the caregiver and the child or youth.

How FURS Helps and Why It’s Important:

1. It provides current and former foster youth and their caregivers with immediate, trauma-informed support when they need it.
2. Prevents placement moves.
3. Preserves the relationship between the child or youth and their caregiver.
4. Provides a trauma-informed alternative for families who previously resorted to calling 911 or law enforcement.
5. Reduces hospitalizations, law enforcement contacts, and placement in out-of-home facilities.
6. Promotes healing as a family.
7. Improves retention of current foster caregivers.
8. Promotes stability for youth in foster care, including youth in extended foster care.

FURS Services Include:

• A toll-free hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week staffed with caring counselors trained in conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques for children and youth impacted by trauma.
• County Mobile Response and Stabilization Teams also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• In-home de-escalation, stabilization, conflict resolution, and support services and resources.
• Ongoing support services beyond the initial mobile response.
• Hotline and mobile response staff trained in working with children and families who have experienced trauma.