Many families require assistance with different aspects of their lives, including finances, getting along with one another, filling out paperwork for programs and babysitting. For these families, child and family resource centers are crucial to living a balanced life. These centers additionally can help communities deal effectively with situations that could otherwise create problems.
History
In the 1950s, it became evident that not all family problems could be taken care of by one's family alone. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, both state and federal governments began creating child and family resource centers. According to Dr. Lee Combrinck-Graham in his book "Children in Family Contexts," some communities found these centers threatening, believing they interfered too much with personal family matters that should not be discussed outside the home. Most people, however, began to see how helpful the centers truly were. Churches started to develop programs to "help the people;" church programs are therefore among those that still exist today.
Types
Child and family resource centers involve diverse organizations that deal with problems like domestic violence, poverty and abuse. These resource centers provide free or low-cost services including dental and medical care, therapy, employment services, parent training and after-school care centers. In some places, these types of organizations exist separately, but in others (particularly in smaller communities), they are aggregated into a single building or location. Services available in a particular location depend upon the unique needs of that community.
Features
In low-income neighborhoods, most child and family services revolve around the needs of very poor people. These programs offer services like help with a job search, discounts on medication and free daycare opportunities. In higher-income neighborhoods, these resource centers focus on providing activities that help children and parents connect, including family game nights.
Benefits
One benefit of child and family resource centers is that they connect families with additional services. For example, they could call businesses that are currently hiring and advocate on behalf of a person they serve to get this person an interview. They might assist parents in getting appointments at free clinics for child medical services. These centers also assist families in seeking advice from specialists by advocating on behalf of families in need. Some centers even offer language translation services.
Considerations
Child and family resource centers are often the first item to be cut when a financial crisis hits. This is due to the fact that a lot of the funding for these centers comes from the government. Centers also receive money from grants and other organizations. Those who benefit from child and family resource centers might consider expressing to administrators of those centers and their funding partners how much they mean to the community to help assure further support for the centers.
References
- CHFS.ky.gov: About Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
- CCRCLA.org: About Child Care Resource Center
- Combrinck-Graham, Lee MD; Children in Family Contexts, Second Edition: Perspectives on Treatment; March 16, 2006
