Family Wellness Plans (also known as Plans of Safe Care)
What is a Family Wellness Plan (FWP)?
The goal of the Family Wellness Plan (sometimes called Plan of Safe Care [POSC]) is to strengthen the family unit, help mothers have a healthy pregnancy, and keep child(ren) safely at home. It is also:
- A personalized guide to ensure necessary resources are provided to help families thrive
- A tool that helps communicate strengths, needs and accomplishments to providers
- A tool to help with care coordination.
Who could benefit from a Family Wellness Plan?
The Family Wellness Plan (FWP) was designed for pregnant women with substance use disorders and families of infants who may have been substance exposed during pregnancy.
- Pregnant women with an active substance use disorder should receive a FWP during pregnancy.
- Any families with infants born exposed to substances with the potential of misuse should receive a FWP. Families with infants who experience withdrawal, even to prescribed medications (e.g., methadone, benzodiazepines) should receive a FWP.
- The FWP should be developed for infants and their families whether or not they require a report to Social Services.
*Note: Federal law requires that infants born affected by substance misuse, withdrawal or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum (FASD) receive a Plan of Safe Care (called Family Wellness Plan in Orange County) that supports their families as well.
Where can I find a Family Wellness Plan template?
- Orange County Family Wellness Plan Template (created by the OC Family Support Task Force): English | Spanish
- Fillable pdf form version: English | Spanish
- Providers: See the FWP Provider Companion Guide for an overview of the template, sample scripts and prompts to introduce the FWP and guide discussions
Where can I find a brochure for a patient/client/family?
- Substance Use and Pregnancy Brochure (created by the OC Family Support Task Force):
- English | Spanish | Vietnamese
- Print ready version: English | Spanish | Vietnamese
Where can I find support for my families affected by perinatal substance use?
- Our Family Wellness Team can assist with the FWP by providing coordination, follow-up and linkages. Call or text 714-726-5920 or see the flyer for more details.
Where can I find more resources for providers, such as training?
The Orange County Family Support Task Force is a county-wide cross-systems partnership working together to improve outcomes for infants and families affected by perinatal substance use. For more information, see the 2026 Family Wellness Initiative Brief, Timeline or Video Overview. To join our collaborative, register HERE to be included on our meeting distribution list, sign up for workgroups, and have access to our Family Wellness Plan Implementation Resources SharePoint.
For more information:
- Building Family Wellness Plans in the Medical Setting (download | print ready)
- What is a Family Wellness Plan (FWP)?
- Who could benefit from a FWP?
- Who develops and adds to the FWP?
- Where can I find a FWP template?
- Which families require a FWP?
- When is a report to Social Services required?
- How do I determine if safety risks exist?
- 5 Ways to Improve Care Using Family Wellness Plans (FWP) (download | print ready)
- Implement Universal Screening
- Take a Family-Centered Approach
- Disrupt Stigma
- Plan for Transitions/Discharge Planning
- Advance Equity and Inclusion
- Focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Referrals for Family Wellness Plan (FWP) Support
Health care providers can refer families to HCA Community & Nursing Services (Pregnant and Parenting Support Programs; 714-834-7747) to assist with the FWP by providing coordination, follow-up and linkages.
