Family Resource Center Options Discussed

Lisa Thomas

Lisa Thomas, coordinator of the Collaborative Management Program for Prowers County Department of Human Services, led a discussion of about the development of a Family Resource Center for Prowers County during an afternoon meeting at Brew Unto Others this past Monday, August 19^th.

“We’d like to begin a conversation about what a Family Resource Center would look like for our area and is that something that we’re ready and able to do?” She asked the question of a gathering of two dozen representatives from a host of support services including the City of Lamar and Prowers County, High Plains Community Health Center, local Department of Corrections, Southeast Health, SDS, the local Library, State Workforce Center educators, churches, banks and FLTI, activist citizens interested in taking a role in their community.

Thomas said the goal of the meeting is to have community leaders recognize that a local plan of action for a Family Resource Center has to have a plan which will be tailored to the needs of the community it serves, not a ‘one plan fits all’ approach. She also asked the gathering to determine what steps can be taken by local agencies to move from intervention for child abuse and neglect, to prevention; what steps can be taken to move from providing service for at-risk families only, to serving all families and identify what role each agency plays in the work of the community, essentially dealing with child abuse and neglect.

Family Resource Center was established in 1998 as a statewide network for FRC advocacy and funding and serves approximately 30,000 families every year. Headquartered in Denver, the Center serves 46 counties in Colorado.  One goal out of many is to maintain and improve a common data tracking system and shared resource repository.

Monday’s gathering was addressed by FRC representatives, Teri Haymond, Program Director and Many Watrous-Gale, the Director of Member Services. Following the meeting the group discussed continuing to consult with Family Resource Center and form an exploratory committee.
By Russ Baldwin