Community Credible Messengers Initiative

The Community Credible Messengers Initiative (CCMI) partners with youth who are under Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) supervision as they transition back into the community under conditional release.

FSW works with community grassroots organizations to improve the safety and well-being of children and their families through a strategically and collaboratively built network of Credible Messengers and Parent Partners who reside in the same communities.

Each youth is paired with a Credible Messenger, while the parent or guardian is matched with a Parent Partner who helps the family navigate a successful transition back into the community and accomplish specific self-determined goals. A large component of the program includes work-based learning opportunities for each young person, paired with incentives as progress is acknowledged and celebrated.

The young person is also offered enrichment services to increase coping skills through meditation, dance, drumming, art, excursions, etc.