Local Program Aims to Strengthen Families Through Prevention Services

A local team is working quietly but steadily to help families overcome challenges before they turn into crises.

Prevention specialists Jolie Neal, Kaylee Tunnell, and Mackenzie Davey join supervisor Meredith Yost and host Mike McCool in the Royal Examiner studio to discuss family support services offered through the Department of Social Services.

The Warren County Department of Social Services (DSS) Family Services Prevention team focuses on early support, offering guidance and connections that help families stay safe and stable. Their work is part of a larger statewide effort aimed at strengthening families and preventing child abuse or neglect.

“We work with families to address safety concerns for children,” said Meredith Yost, supervisor of the prevention program. “It’s a voluntary process, and we take a family-driven approach.”

That approach aligns with Virginia DSS Prevention Services’ mission, which emphasizes early, strength-based, and trauma-informed care. The goal is to help families solve problems early, reduce stress, and keep children in safe home environments whenever possible.

Locally, the prevention team helps families connect with resources, including mental health services and basic needs like transportation and clothing. They also guide parents through challenges and help them navigate systems that can often feel overwhelming.

“If I don’t know the connections, I know who to ask,” Yost said, describing how the team works with community partners to find solutions.

Prevention specialists Mackenzie Davey, Kaleigh Tunnell, and Joly Nield work directly with families through home visits, referrals, and ongoing support. Families may be referred after involvement with Child Protective Services, through the courts, or by reaching out on their own.

“We partner with families and work with them to find out what we can do to stabilize them,” Nield said.

One key part of the program is education. The team offers a free six-week “Love & Logic” parenting class in partnership with Samuels Public Library. The class teaches practical skills such as communication, empathy, and boundary-setting to help raise responsible, independent children.

Experts say programs like these can make a big difference. Families who seek help early are more likely to improve quickly, and children are less likely to face abuse or neglect. Early support can also help keep siblings together and prevent the need for foster care.

Still, challenges remain. Access to services, especially mental health care, can be difficult due to long waitlists and limited providers. The prevention team helps families work around those barriers by connecting them with multiple options and guiding them through the process.

“When you’re in a mental health crisis, it’s hard to reach out to ten different places,” Yost said. “We help take on some of that burden.”

In the past year, the team has worked with more than 80 families. Each case can involve complex needs, from parenting support to financial stress or behavioral concerns.

The program also relies on community support. Donations such as unopened baby formula, clothing, and financial contributions help meet urgent needs for local families.

At its core, prevention work is about building stronger communities by helping families succeed early on.

“I think the keyword is prevention,” Yost said. “Let’s try to get in on the front end.”

For families unsure where to turn, help may be closer than they think. A simple call to a local DSS office can open the door to resources, support, and a path forward.

For more information, reach out to the Child Protective Services – Front Royal, Warren County Social Services, 465 West 15th Street, Suite 100, Front Royal, VA 22630 or call 540-635-3430.

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