Early Intervention Before Crisis: Recognizing Warning Signs and Connecting Families to Help

Session Description

Behavioral health concerns can become child safety concerns when families do not receive timely support. This session focuses on early intervention strategies that help professionals recognize changes in caregiver functioning, child behavior, household stress, safety planning needs, and family support systems before problems escalate. Participants will learn how to respond with empathy, reduce stigma, make warm referrals, and connect families to stabilizing services while keeping children's safety at the center.

Learning Objectives

• Identify signs of mental health crisis.

• Recognize risks to child safety.

• Describe intervention and referral strategies.

• Identify resources that stabilize families.

2026 - 2027 Louisiana CASA Webinar Series: Healthy Minds, Safe Children: Preventing Child Abuse Through Mental Health Awareness and Support

This eight-part webinar series explores how mental health awareness, early intervention, trauma-informed support, and strong community partnerships can help prevent child abuse and neglect. Participants will examine how caregiver wellness, childhood trauma, adolescent mental health, and family stress influence child safety while learning practical ways to recognize concerns early, strengthen protective factors, and connect families to support before crises occur.