The concept of the child welfare system is not a single entity. A lot of organizations in society work together to strengthen families and ensure safety of children. Public agencies like departments of social services and child and family services often coordinate with private child welfare agencies and community-based organizations. This is to provide services to families, such as "family preservation" services, foster care, residential treatment,
mental health care, substance abuse treatment, parenting skills classes, employment assistance, and financial or housing assistance.
