For five decades, Boys Town’s Family Home Program has helped children heal from trauma and rebuild their lives. But its impact extends beyond the children it serves—it has become a catalyst for innovation in child and family services nationwide.
One of the most significant outcomes? A growing emphasis on prevention—helping families before they reach a crisis point.
Learning from Experience
Decades of working with children and families have provided Boys Town with invaluable insights into the root causes of family breakdown. By studying behavioral patterns, risk factors and early warning signs, Boys Town has gained the knowledge needed to shift its focus toward preventative care.
This shift isn’t just about identifying at-risk children—it’s about proactively supporting families so that intervention is never needed. The lessons learned through the Family Home Program and the Boys Town Model have helped Boys Town develop targeted services aimed at strengthening families before they reach a breaking point.
A New Era of Preventative Services
Historically, child welfare has been reactive, stepping in only after a crisis occurs. Boys Town is working to change that with programs that empower families and prevent crises before they begin. These initiatives include:
· Parenting Programs – Teaching parents, caregivers and families positive discipline strategies, communication skills and ways to build strong family bonds.
· Behavioral Health Support – Providing counseling and mental health services to address issues before they escalate.
· School-Based Programs – Equipping educators and students with tools to manage behavior, build resilience and succeed in the classroom.
· Community Partnerships – Collaborating with agencies to offer families resources before intervention becomes necessary.
These efforts have already started to reduce the number of children requiring residential care, keeping more families together and creating lasting generational change.
A Lasting Legacy
While the Family Home Program remains a cornerstone of Boys Town’s mission, its greatest legacy may be the foundation it has laid for a more proactive approach to child welfare. The knowledge gained over the past 50 years is now shaping the future, allowing Boys Town to develop programs and services that reach children and families long before they find themselves in crisis.
The lessons learned from decades of providing care have empowered Boys Town to help families stay together and heal during difficult times. This shift ensures that more children grow up in stable, loving environments without ever having to experience the trauma of separation. And, when needed, the Family Home Program will always be there to provide a safe, supportive place for kids to heal and grow before returning home.
From Healing to Helping: Prevention in Action
The Family Home Program didn’t just change how Boys Town cared for children—it shaped everything we know about what families need to succeed. That deep well of knowledge is now being used to help families like Ashley and Ryan long before a crisis ever occurs.
Lift with Boys Town is one example of how the Boys Town Model has been adapted into powerful, preventative services. In this short video, you’ll meet a mom and her son whose lives were transformed through in-home family support, school-based services and parenting tools—all grounded in the same principles that guided the Family Home Program.
Thank You, Family Home Program
For 50 years, it has transformed lives. For the next 50, it will continue paving the way for a future where every child has the stability, love and opportunity they deserve.
