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| About the Family Resource Council |
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| | Mission & Goals
The Merced County Office of Education's Family Resource Council (FRC) was established in 1994 when federal money was made available to the State of California to be distributed among all of the counties. Approximately $50,000 was allocated to get a Family Preservation/Family Support Program planning process in motion in Merced County. The task force that developed our Family Resource Program and the first five-year Plan for Merced County was comprised of 45 representatives from public agencies, community-based organizations, churches, law enforcement, consumers, special interest networks, and other organizations. The following six goals were approved as a reference for developing programs that serve children and families at risk.
FRC Six Goals
The goals of the Family Resource Program were derived directly out of the identified needs. The program design and program outcomes will address the needs and promote understanding and acceptance of the extraordinarily multi-lingual/multi-cultural community that we are. The goals and examples of expected outcomes are as follows.
A. Access
The goal is: To ensure that services and activities are easily accessible to children and families.
Currently underserved community members will have greater access to
services that support families. Agencies, program and policy makers will become more effective and responsive to the needs of communities and families.
B. Education
The goal is: To provide training and resource information that will enable families; communities, and service providers
to respond effectively to the needs of children and their families in Merced County.
- Each community will have developed appropriate responses to its own needs.
C. Strengthening Family Relationships within the Community
The goal is: To enable individuals and families to create safe, stable, nurturing environments for children by identifying their own strengths and building on them.
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Community Councils, focus groups, children, and families will have a voice in services planning and delivery, regardless of language.
D. Fostering Quality Lifestyle Choices
The goal is: To ensure choices that will build healthy individuals, healthy families, and healthy communities.
E. Self-Sufficiency
The goal is: To ensure that all families are capable of providing for one’s own needs.
F. Fostering and Acknowledging Family Strengths and Successes
The goal is: To ensure community building activities:
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Individual, families and communities will have increased opportunities for public and program base recognition.
The Family Resource Council's vision is "Every Organization a Success in Their Community who serve Children and Families in Merced County. The FRC leverages diverse community resource by building strong local cooperatives that broaden community capacity building efforts and ensures that ongoing collaboration continues throughout the year. Membership in the FRC family has grown to include representatives/participants from more than 200 Faith-Based (FBO, Community-Based (CBO), Grass Root (GRO), Education, Law Enforcement and Government sectors. | |
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Re-Direct
To provide information to children and parents regarding community resources that are available to families to prevent
deeper involvement in the Probation/Court system. The purpose is to empower parents to become more effective in their
parenting by clarifying their rights and responsibilities and their children’s rights and responsibilities. The emphasis
is that it is ultimately the Parent's Power which enables children to become responsible and productive students and adults.
Goals
- Keep kids out of the criminal justice system.
- Empower parents to be more effective as parents
- To inform parents and children as to their rights and responsibilities as citizens and families in the courts and justice system.
- To inform parents as to services available to families in this community.
The Re-Direct Program meets each Wednesday evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. We lock our door promptly at 6:00 pm so
you may want to show up at least 5 (five) minutes before 6:00 pm.
Sessions are held at Family Resource Council, 1573 West Main St, Merced, CA.
Topic Areas/ Participating Agencies
- Merced Probation Department: An officer from the Merced Probation Department will discuss what
probation means, the services/ process provided by the Probation
Department, and what rights and obligations parent/guardian have
towards the youth while in the juvenile system.
- Merced Co. Department of Mental Health - Alcohol
and Drug Services-R.A.F.T.: Information relevant to identifying the signs and symptoms of teen
drug/alcohol use and abuse and what to do when you suspect your child is using drugs/alcohol will be discussed.
- Merced Co. Office of the District Attorney:
Information about what constitutes a crime, youth and
parent/guardian rights and responsibilities, the prosecution
process, and the legal consequences youth and or parent/guardian
will faces when poor choices are made.
- Merced Co. Office of the Public Defender: Information will be presented regarding parent/guardian legal
rights as well as the rights of the youth. The presenter will also discuss pertinent aspects of the legal process
relative to juvenile offenses.
- Law Enforcement: Officers from
police departments of Merced, Atwater, Livingston, University of
California Merced, Dos Palos, Merced County Sheriff will discuss what to expect
when a youth is arrested. Parent/youth rights and responsibilities, gang issues
and prevention, and how relate to juvenile crime.
- Merced County Public Health:
Discussion on legal, social and medical consequences of sexual
activity, importance of family communication about reproductive
health, services they provide and what role the department plays in
the community.
- Total Self Insight: Provide
information on making positive life choices and the consequences
youth will face for years to come due to poor decision making.
- Merced Co. Office of Education: Discussions will address topics and Issues pertaining to the role of the school system.
Attendance, parental responsibilities, behavioral issues and how to communicate with school personnel is also discussed.
- Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex: Juvenile Hall staff will present information regarding the incarceration of a juvenile
in Juvenile Hall. Information about the daily activities in Juvenile Hall, visitation, rules and restrictions of
the Juvenile Hall facility will be covered.
Supporting Ongoing Services (S.O.S.)
Headed by Merced County Mental Health Department, S.O.S. is a service that provides
comprehensive resources for a family in need.
Child Abuse Prevention Council
The Child Abuse Prevention Council
meets monthly. It is coordinated by the Family Resource Council.
Please refer to Resources & Announcements for meeting notices, agendas, and
minutes.
Programs and Activities that the CAPC supports and
coordinate throughout the year are: 1) child abuse and neglect mandated
reporter training; 2) professional training for services providers; 3)
regional training in child abuse and neglect based on needs of the
community; 4) events & activities to support parents and strengthening
families.
Parenting Center
The Parenting Center provides parenting education classes for families.
There are two different parenting education classes that FRC offers. Curriculums taught at the FRC office includes
Nurturing Parenting (in English and Spanish), Positive Discipline, and Foster/ Adopt PRIDE.
- Classes held at the FRC office requires referrals from a social
worker or case worker from the Merced County Human Services Agency.
Classes offered in the office are all of the above mentioned curriculum.
- Through a grant from
First 5 Merced County and contract with Merced County Human Services
Agency, parenting classes based on the Positive Discipline curriculum is
offered throughout Merced County. These classes are free and
open for everyone interested in learning about parenting with Positive
Discipline.
Supervised Visitation
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