Leave with a Plan, Not Just Hope
Leaving an abusive relationship is one of the most dangerous moments a survivor faces — and one of the most overwhelming. There are housing decisions, legal steps, children to think about, and a hundred questions with no clear answers. Our case management and safety planning services exist so you don't have to figure it out alone.
Survivor Services
One Person to Help You Carry It All
When you work with a case manager at Celebrate Forever Families, you get one consistent person who sees your full picture. They coordinate your shelter stay, connect you to counseling, walk alongside you through the legal process, and help you access benefits — all within a single, personalized plan built around your situation and your goals.
You don't have to repeat your story to five different people or track down five different phone numbers. Your case manager holds the threads together so you can focus on what's next.
What Goes Into a Personal Safety Plan
A safety plan is more than a checklist. It's a living document built with you — one that accounts for where you are right now and where you're trying to go. Your case manager will work with you to identify the specific risks in your situation and build concrete steps around them.
Your safety plan may address:
- The safest time and method for leaving your home
- Emergency contacts, a go-bag, and important documents to have ready
- Protective order options and what to expect from the legal process
- Housing — whether that's our emergency shelter, our residential program, or another safe option
- Childcare, school enrollment, and services for your children
- Financial resources, benefits access, and job readiness steps
- Ongoing counseling and mental health support
No two plans look the same, because no two situations are the same.
Guided by an Advocate the County Recognizes
Our senior case manager was named Advocate of the Year by the Kaufman County District Attorney's Office — a recognition that reflects the depth of care and expertise she brings to every survivor she serves. This isn't a title given lightly. It reflects years of working directly with survivors, building relationships with law enforcement and legal partners, and navigating the systems that can either help or hinder a survivor's path forward.
When you sit down with our team, you're working with people who are known and trusted by the agencies that handle family violence cases in this region.
Case Management Works Alongside Every Program We Offer
Case management isn't a standalone appointment — it's woven through everything we do. Whether you're staying in our emergency shelter, enrolled in our residential program, or receiving services through outreach without entering shelter, a case manager is part of your support from the start.
Our case management services connect directly to the full range of what we offer: counseling and therapy, children's play therapy, protective order assistance, job readiness, financial empowerment, and more. Your case manager helps you understand which services fit your needs and makes sure the pieces move together.
Your Safety and Confidentiality Come First
What is a safety plan and why do I need one before I leave?
A safety plan is a personalized set of steps designed to reduce your risk during and after leaving an abusive situation. Leaving is statistically the most dangerous period for a survivor, and having a plan — even a simple one — significantly increases your safety. Your case manager helps you build one that accounts for your specific circumstances, not a generic template.Do I have to be staying in the shelter to work with a case manager?
No. Case management is available to survivors in our emergency shelter, our residential program, and through our outreach services for those who are not entering shelter. You do not have to be a resident to receive support.What's the difference between a case manager and a counselor?
A case manager coordinates the practical and logistical side of your path forward — housing, legal steps, benefits, safety planning, and connecting you to the right services. A counselor focuses on your emotional healing and mental health. Both are part of our team, and many survivors work with both at the same time.How quickly can I meet with a case manager?
If you enter our emergency shelter, you'll be connected with a case manager as part of your intake process. If you're seeking outreach services, call our 24/7 crisis line at (844) 525-0160 or complete our outreach intake form and we'll connect you with the right support as quickly as possible.Is Celebrate Forever Families the only place offering this kind of help in Kaufman County?
We operate the only emergency domestic violence shelter in Kaufman County and are the only local organization offering both emergency and residential shelter under one roof. Our case management services are available to survivors across Kaufman, Henderson, and Van Zandt counties, including communities like Athens, Canton, Terrell, Forney, and Mabank.