Family Support
What Is a Family Support Organization (FSO) in New Jersey?
A Family Support Organization (FSO) is a family-run, county-based organization that provides support to families raising children with emotional, behavioral, mental-health, and other complex needs. What makes an FSO different is the peer-support approach: families can receive support from people who understand many of these challenges because of their own lived experience.
Last reviewed: August 28, 2026
What is an FSO?
A Family Support Organization (FSO) is a family-run, county-based organization that provides support to families raising children with emotional, behavioral, mental-health, and other complex needs.
What makes an FSO different is the peer-support approach. Families can receive support from people who understand many of the challenges of navigating services because of their own lived experience.
New Jersey FSOs provide family-to-family peer support, education, advocacy, information, and other family supports.
Quick answer
Think of the FSO as support for the family while the family is supporting the child.
A CMO focuses heavily on coordinating the youth’s overall plan and services. An FSO provides peer support, education, advocacy, and guidance for the parent or caregiver.
Families may work with both at the same time.
How can an FSO help my family?
Depending on the family’s needs and the local FSO, support may include:
- Family-to-family peer support
- Help understanding and navigating the Children’s System of Care
- Education and training for parents/caregivers
- Advocacy and help preparing families to advocate for their child’s needs
- Information about community resources
- Support during difficult or stressful periods
- Connections with other families who have similar experiences
- Parent support groups, workshops, or community activities when offered locally
What is a Family Support Partner?
Families involved with the Children’s System of Care may hear the term Family Support Partner (FSP).
A Family Support Partner provides peer support to parents and caregivers. Their role is different from the Care Manager’s role.
The Family Support Partner can help the caregiver feel heard and supported, understand the system, prepare for meetings, identify questions or concerns, and strengthen the caregiver’s ability to advocate for their family.
FSO vs. CMO — What’s the difference?
CMO
Care management and coordination for the youth and family.
May coordinate the Child Family Team, develop and monitor the Individual Service Plan, connect the family with services, and coordinate care.
FSO
Peer and family support.
Helps parents and caregivers through lived-experience support, education, advocacy, information, and connection.
They can work together. The CMO and FSO have different roles, but both are intended to support youth and families.
Do I need to have a CMO to contact an FSO?
No.
Family Support Organizations can provide support to families outside of CMO involvement as well. Families may contact their county FSO directly to ask about available family support services.
Families can also call PerformCare at 1-877-652-7624 for help locating their local FSO or accessing Children’s System of Care services.
Does FSO support cost money?
Contact your county FSO directly to ask about available supports, programs, eligibility, and whether there are any costs associated with a particular activity or service.
Find your FSO by county
Every New Jersey county has a Family Support Organization. Some FSOs serve one county, while others serve several counties.
Verified August 2026
Not sure which FSO to contact?
Call PerformCare New Jersey at 1-877-652-7624
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
When might contacting an FSO be helpful?
Consider contacting your local FSO if:
- You’re overwhelmed trying to understand the system
- You want to talk with someone who understands the parent/caregiver experience
- You want help learning how to advocate for your child
- You need information about family or community resources
- You want parent education or support opportunities
- Your family is involved with CMO services and you would like additional family peer support
- You’re not involved with a CMO but would still like to know what family support your local FSO offers
Information verified: August 28, 2026. Programs, contact information, and services can change. Always confirm current information directly with the organization.
Vicabell provides educational resource information and is not affiliated with the State of New Jersey, PerformCare, or the Children's System of Care.
Last reviewed: August 28, 2026
This guide is for educational purposes and does not replace medical, legal, educational, or insurance advice. Programs, eligibility requirements, provider availability, and insurance coverage can change. Always verify information directly with the appropriate provider, school district, insurance company, or government agency.