Columbus Home Assisting Parents (C.H.A.P.) is a home-based parent education and support service that provides parenting education, crisis intervention, and case management for families that are experiencing life stressors that impact parenting abilities. C.H.A.P. services are provided free of charge to parents.  By working to increase parents’ skills and coping abilities, the goal of C.H.A.P. is to ensure the safety and well-being of children in the home.

Additionally, the C.H.A.P. caseworker assists families in locating and utilizing other services in the community with the goal of empowering the family so that they can recognize issues as they arise and find their own positive solutions. Individuals and agencies are encouraged to share CHAP’s information with families but as services are considered voluntary, the family must self-refer.

Duration of services varies, based on the family's specific needs, but usually lasts between three and six months.
In operation since 1985, C.H.A.P. is funded in part by the state and is a licensed child abuse prevention agency. Services are provided at no cost to families, and the program operates under the auspices of Title VI.

C.H.A.P. services provide support for more than 70 families in East Tennessee per year.