Organization: Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Country: United States
Education level: Early Childhood, Primary, Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary
Organization type: Government
Family engagement type: Providing Resources
Overview
Allegheny County Family Centers empowered and enabled families to support their children’s development by focusing on essential services and capacity building. The first family support centers (FSCs) were established in 1997 in response to the State of Pennsylvania’s identified need for family-centered early childhood development programs in poor neighborhoods, which could not be met using district funding (Allegheny County Family Centers, n.d.b.). The Allegheny Intermediate Unit stepped up to fill this gap in services given its existing community work with prenatal and early childhood development.
Each Family Center consisted of a unique team of multidisciplinary professionals, peer support specialists, and service coordinators. Exact personnel varied per location since staff members of each FSC live in or near the neighborhood where they work. The FSCs served as a conduit for families to access services both within the centers and in the surrounding community. The centers formed partnerships with local actors such as food and diaper banks, community colleges, and school districts to expand service capacity. They then followed up with local community providers to ensure families are benefiting from and taking full advantage of the service offerings.
How does it work?
The first FSC was established using a phased approach, connecting with first the superintendent, followed by principals, and then local actors such as the police, librarians, doctors, and other community leaders (L. Vollman & C. Lobaugh, personal communication, April 29, 2021). This progressive community involvement allowed the FSC to establish meaningful connections so stakeholders could understand the importance of, and ultimately support, the centers’ purpose. Since its initial launch, 22 FSCs have been established throughout Allegheny County, aided by the legitimacy and support created by the deep relationships they had formed.
When setting up a new center, staff members began by immersing themselves in each neighborhood, drawing on the knowledge of community leaders to identify the services needed most and working with families to chart their development. Center staff emphasized rapport, trust, respect, and asset-based partnerships when engaging with families. They committed themselves to deeply knowing and longitudinally following each family without judgment of the family’s circumstances. Families could access any FSC and its services at no cost, removing income as a barrier to participation (Allegheny County, n.d.). FSCs started with the fundamentals, recognizing that they must first help meet families’ basic needs before expanding focus to long-term child development.
Each family is matched with a long-term personal mentor from the FSC team. Mentors were often former FSC participants, which encourages community connection and parent leadership. Together, families and mentors designed a family goal plan in which families lay out what they want to accomplish over the next few years. Staff then connected families with or directly provided services identified during the goal-setting process. Service areas included childcare and early learning, parenting essentials, physical and behavioral health, employment and education, and community interaction activities, such as game nights or peer support groups (Allegheny County, n.d.a). Leadership development and advocacy training classes were also offered to parents so they could play an active role in their child’s development.
FSC staff also organized parent-led collaboration cafés, based on the Strengthening Families model, where parents have space to discuss struggles and successes in fostering whole-child development. A mother might have, for instance, shared insights from a recent training about playful approaches to reading picture books. There would be breakout opportunities to connect with specific groups such as mothers, fathers, or single parents. Families at the collaboration cafés also would have had access to professionals who can help inform and shape strategies around parenting best practices (Be Strong Families, 2021).
Transition teams ensured that families could transition out of receiving direct support from FSC staff with the tools needed to support their child’s developmental journey. Teams met quarterly to discuss transition plans for specific families and tap partnerships with community organizations that provide specific services to help parents navigate major transitions (L. Vollman & C. Lobaugh, personal communication, April 29, 2021).
What makes it work?
FSC staff first focused on identifying local leaders and shifting their mindsets about the value of comprehensive, asset-based family support. These leaders—both formal ones and those whose names repeatedly come up during community consultations—became community-based champions who extend the FSCs’ capacity. They unlocked new resource hubs, mobilizing their networks to, for example, provide free transport to family events. To win over champions and families alike, FSC staff prioritized showing up in community spaces for sustained and informal contact. They made it a point to be present at all possible community events, taking the opportunity to build organic relationships and check in with champions and families. A church fair, for example, became a place to chat about local childcare needs or to simply inquire about a parent’s job hunt.
FSC staff saw the importance of following through on commitments. The aim of FSCs was to be a reliable resource for the community by not only providing resources or connections but also walking families through their use. For example, FSC staff connected families with an after-school program, helped them register, and then followed up on how their child is enjoying the experience. Additionally, FSCs have found that the quickest way to achieve parental support is to first win over children with interesting and playful learning programming. Once kids began nagging their parents, asking to attend FSC events and activities, families began to understand the tangible value this network can provide.
One-on-one relationships between staff and families were a central priority. In some cases, families were reluctant to engage because it requires them to admit the need and accept help or because of negative experiences with other service provision agencies where trust was never established. Parent support and trust were developed through several channels. Many staff members and volunteers came from within the community or were previous participants, which helped foster authentic connections with families. Staff ensured they always followed through on promises, followed up via continuous check-ins, and employed their training on trauma-informed care to better connect with families and understand how trauma trickles down to kids. This helped to reinforce a safe and supportive atmosphere where families feel welcome to engage. A nonjudgmental, asset-based approach underpinned the FSC process. Staff always began conversations by highlighting family strengths, such as how to use the food in the fridge to create a healthy meal. The goal was to demonstrate trust and respect, which instils in families a shared understanding that they are their child’s first and most knowledgeable teacher and advocate.
What is the impact?
In 2020, FSCs expanded their focus to include services for parents of children up to age 18, while maintaining a core focus on programming for children under age 5. Over 4,000 families have taken part in the range of services offered at the 27 FSCs (L. Vollman & C. Lobaugh, personal communication, April 29, 2021).
Resources and testimonials
- “Once a week, for an hour and a half, they had some kind of class … . Some taught about positive parenting—things like how to take care of babies, Ages and Stages [child development assessments] and Love and Logic [discipline without force]. Then on Thursdays, we have an exercise class that teaches routines that we can do at home. It’s great because it helps me to keep my [chronic illness] in check. While the parents are in their group, the kids are doing a program for school readiness.” – Parent participant in FSC classes (Allegheny County Department of Human Services, 2011)
- “We include single dads, married dads, dads who share custody, stepdads … any man who cares for children is welcome to join … . It’s all about meeting different people from different backgrounds and learning that you’re not alone.” – Parent in fathers group (Allegheny County Department of Human Services, 2011)
- Allegheny County Family Centers
Roles
Staff:
- Build one-on-one relationships with families.
- Connect families with local resources and follow up on continuing family needs.
Families:
- Create personalized goal plans.
- Participate in personalized classes and activities to support their child’s development.
- Connect with peers to share experiences and lessons on creating the best home environment for their children.
Resources required
People:
- Roughly five staff per center, hired from within the community
- Stakeholders from the education system and community actors, who are integral to the success of each FSC by identifying neighborhood needs and providing services
- Partnerships with dozens of community organizations that provide key services to alleviate direct costs to the FSC
Financial:
- Direct funding for family-centered services for children, prenatal to age 18, from the Office of Child Development and Early Learning of the Pennsylvania departments of Human Services and Education
- No cost to families to ensure accessibility for all
Spaces:
- Strategically located centers house multiple meeting rooms and staff offices in at-risk areas where there may be a low level of resources to support families.
- FSCs are based in a variety of settings, such as commercial buildings, community centers, storefronts, and public housing buildings.
COVID-19 considerations:
- Core programming has been adapted to virtual platforms. New parents, for example, can join monthly online sessions with a registered nurse to ask questions about their baby’s growth or other health and safety topics.
- Remote service provision has been expanded, such as emergency transportation and delivery of goods.
References
Allegheny County. (n.d.). Family Centers of Allegheny County. https://alleghenycounty.us/Human-Services/Programs-Services/Basic-Needs/Parent-Caregiver-Support/Family-Centers.aspx
Allegheny County Department of Human Services. (2011, May). Family support centers. DHS Making an Impact. https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Human-Services/Resources/Publications/Making-an-Impact/Family-Support-Centers.aspx
Allegheny County Family Centers. (n.d.a). What we do. https://familycenters.alleghenycounty.us/what-we-do/
Allegheny County Family Centers. (n.d.b). Who we are. https://familycenters.alleghenycounty.us/who-we-are/
Be Strong Families. (2021). Parent Cafés. https://www.bestrongfamilies.org/parent-cafes