More than 1,500 Texas families will have access to one-stop centers of community support during a multi-year program to prevent child abuse and neglect. The effort is being funded through grants from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
Five Texas organizations with long-standing ties to their communities will offer the services through the creation of new, innovative Family Resource Centers (FRCs).
Once established, each FRC will serve as a welcoming hub for families in need based on their community’s unique culture and interests. Families can walk in and find a range of services – from supportive parenting groups, to childhood development guidance classes, to help securing housing and employment, and more – all in one place.
“This is an exciting opportunity to fund family-focused centers of support based on local communities’ needs. Each FRC will be just as unique as the Texas community it serves,” said Sasha Rasco, Chief Prevention and Community Wellbeing Officer for DFPS’s Prevention and Early Intervention Division (PEI). “By focusing on protective factors – teaching parents to be resilient, seek help in a crisis, connect with their community, learn positive parenting - FRCs help prevent abuse and neglect long before they become a problem.”
The five FRC Grantees are:
- BCFS Health and Human Services in Cameron County.
- DePelchin Children’s Center in Harris County.
- El Paso Center for Children in El Paso County.
- Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley in Hidalgo County.
- The SAFE Alliance in Travis County.
FRCs in other states have seen positive results with more families accessing services and more children kept safe from child maltreatment. Grantees in Texas will work with PEI for guidance and evaluation.
The Texas Alliance for Child and Family Services will provide technical support and staff training for the grantees. “The Alliance will partner with DFPS to support the FRCs and to develop practical services and supports for our Texas families,” said Katie Olse, the Alliance CEO. “These one-stop centers are a part of the future of serving families and our role is to help these organizations adhere to national standards while serving the unique needs of each community.”
Funding for the FRCs comes from Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) dollars, and funds from the CBCAP American Rescue Plan Act. Grantees will receive $230,000 for Fiscal Year 2022, and $300,000 in Fiscal Years 2023, 2024 and 2025. Funding is expected to serve between 150-400 families annually.
