Women and Families

The Women and Families Department at Latino Family Services is a comprehensive approach dedicated to the empowerment of women and families. From parenting education to health forums and services, assistance with domestic violence issues and concerns of the elderly, the Women and Families programs provide women with the information and assistance they need to live full and self-affirming lives, lower the incidence of infant mortality and child abuse and neglect in this community and provide for the needs of families. LFS offers services, resources, programming and activities focused on the needs of low-income women from diverse racial and ethnic groups in the greater metropolitan Detroit area.

Youth Department

Latino Family Services provide youth of Southwest Detroit with a positive, safe, nurturing, and educational environment. The youth we serve are predominately economically disadvantaged Hispanic youth with language and transportation barriers.

A number of our programs enjoy national recognition. In a recent draft of the “White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans – WHAT WORKS FOR LATINO YOUTH,” Latino Family Services was the only agency in Michigan included in its listing of exemplary programs throughout the U.S. The National Latino Children's Institute awarded LFS with "LA PROMESA de un futuro brillante". This award is in recognition of exemplary work and commitment to creating brighter futures for young Latinos. In addition, we recently were one of only four sites in Michigan to be awarded an Intel Computer Clubhouse, a state-of-the art technology center, where youth have the opportunity to develop skills and talents in animation, computer art, music, video production and photography.

Clinical Services

Individual and family therapy is provided for children, adolescents and adults. Our clinical services program also offers case management and outpatient services to individuals and families of individuals diagnosed with epilepsy, Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and/or mental retardation before the age of 18. Our clinical team of case managers and licensed professionals meet the life long needs of the developmentally disabled by providing services in: individual and family counseling, family support, referral/access to other services, guardianship, and case management services.

The outreach staff of LFS has a long history of providing Substance Abuse Treatment services. Clients are provided with transportation, as needed, to access substance abuse services. LFS has received national recognition for its innovative work in the integration of substance abuse and HIV/AIDS services. All direct outpatient and prevention services staff have undergone state certified substance abuse and HIV/AIDS counseling and testing training. Since 1992, LFS has served as a satellite site for health care for the homeless. The medical team including a doctor and nurse provides primary medical care one afternoon per week on site.  They are able to provide Tuberculosis and Sexual Transmitted Diseases testing and treatment. They also provide referrals to specialists, prescriptions and free medication and referrals to area hospitals as needed. LFS staff also makes referrals directly to Community Health and Social Services (CHASS) clinic in Southwest Detroit, which in many cases is the only viable option for Spanish speaking clientele.

Adult Education

Latino Family Services provides civics classes, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and General Equivalency Diploma (GED) classes for adults.  These classes, which are offered in collaboration with the Detroit Public Schools Adult Education Program, are consistently well attended. LFS also provides childcare service through our Drop In Center for the adults participating in classes. In response to community need, LFS now offers financial literacy classes to build the economic capacity of individuals and families.

Latino Family Services is fully accredited by the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Health Organizations (JCAHO). The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Joint Commission is the nation's predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Since 1951, the Joint Commission has maintained state-of-the-art standards that focus on improving the quality and safety of care provided by health care organizations. The Joint Commission's comprehensive accreditation process evaluates an organization's compliance with these standards and other accreditation requirements.