The Ruth Helf Family Center's Crisis/Respite Program is used by families involved with the Child Protection and Foster Care Units of the Brown County Department of Human Services.  This is a joint venture between Encompass Early Education and Care, Inc. and the Brown County Department of Human Services.  The Center is located at 1200 Doty Street in Green Bay, WI.

All families involved in the programs at the Ruth Helf Family Center are there by court-order.  At the time of the court-ordered referral, the children may be placed outside the home into a foster home.  The focus of the program is to strengthen parenting skills.

At the Ruth Helf Family Center, two parenting programs are offered:  Parent/Child Interaction Group and Individual Parenting.  Parent/Child Interaction Group meets once a week for three hours, providing parents the opportunity to observe, learn, and demonstrate appropriate parenting skills.  Individual parenting is done on a weekly basis for approximately 1 1/2 hours and can be done either at the Ruth Helf Family Center or in the client's home, depending upon the client's needs.  Individual parenting focuses on strengthening parenting skills by role modeling, guiding, and coaching positive discipline techniques.

Other aspects of the Family Center include supervised family visits, sibling visitations, and victim interviewing.  The Ruth Helf Family Center is a neutral place where families can learn and work on improving their lives along with the lives of their children.