Family Resource Council

1573 West Main Street, Merced CA 95340

Phone (209) 381-5980 * Fax (209) 381-5979

About the Family Resource Council

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.

• 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.

• Individuals, families and communities will promote lifestyles free of substance abuse in our communities and increase opportunities for healthy activities.

E.  Self-Sufficiency

The goal is: To ensure that all families are capable of providing for one’s own needs.

• Communities will identify and develop priorities for self-sufficiency and planned actions to support their choices.

F. Fostering and Acknowledging Family Strengths and Successes

The goal is: To ensure community building activities:

• 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.

Programs: Re-Direct, S.O.S., Child Abuse Prevention Council, Resources & Referrals

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.)

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.

Resources and Referrals

Your visitor: 

This Site Requires Microsoft^® Internet Explorer^® To Be Viewed Properly
Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to the Family Resource Council.  Copyright © 2002 Family Resource Council. All rights reserved.

Merced County Human Services Agency and Merced County Office of Education.