Alaska Family Resource Center Network
What is the Alaska Family Resource Center Network?
The Alaska Family Resource Center (FRC) Network is a statewide coalition of Family Resource Centers dedicated to supporting families across Alaska. While these centers vary in services and structure, they all share a common mission: to strengthen families, parents, and children within their communities.
Through this network, member organizations collaborate, share best practices, and work collectively to enhance family support services and develop effective programs that meet the unique needs of Alaskan families.
Family Resource Centers (FRCs) offer Family Support and Strengthening programs and resources.
They are known by many different names across the country, including Family Centers, Family Success Centers, Family Support Centers, and Parent-Child Centers. They may be community-based or school-based. They serve as welcoming hubs of community services and opportunities designed to strengthen families. Their activities and programs, typically provided at no or low cost to participants, are developed to reflect and be responsive to the specific needs, cultures, and interests of the communities and populations served. There is no dedicated federal funding for FRCs, and yet there are more than 3,000 of them nationwide.
The purpose of the Alaska Family Resource Center Network is to support the development, growth, and sustainability of culturally responsive Family Resource Centers that build on the strengths and meet the unique and diverse needs of all Alaskan communities and their families.
Current Family Resource Centers in the Network:
Growth
- Recurring networking + idea-sharing calls
- Support from other FRC leaders across the state
- Standardized + best practice tools and resources available and provided
- Statewide database for a statewide data capture and standarized assessment process
Impact
- Funding Opportunities
- Leveraging and braiding funds
- Unifying funding requests at the legislative level
Education + Training
- Standards of Quality Training
- NFSN webinar opportunities
- Evaluation and assessment support
- Evidence-based program tools with implementation and evaluation support.
AK Family Resource Center Network Leadership Team
Abby Struffert
AIA, Director of AK Family Resources Center Network
Charity Carmody
Alaska Impact Alliance
Dawn Paulson
Beacon Hill
Kristal Williams
Alaska Impact Alliance
Ginger Bear
Family Promise
Leigh Bolin
Resource Center for Parents and Children
Shenee Williams
Shiloh Community Housing
AK Family Resource Center Network Funding Partners
Alaska State Legislature
AK Mental Health Trust
Casey Family Programs
Alaska Family Resource Center Playbook
Family Resource Centers
FRCs are the most typical kind of Family Support and Strengthening programs. They are known by many different names across the country, including Family Centers, Family Success Centers, Family Support Centers, and Parent-Child Centers. They may be community-based or school-based. They serve as welcoming hubs of community services and opportunities designed to strengthen families. Their activities and programs, typically provided at no or low cost to participants, are developed to reflect and be responsive to the specific needs, cultures, and interests of the communities and populations served. There is no dedicated federal funding for FRCs, and yet there are more than 3,000 of them nationwide.
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View the National Family Resource Center Network One-pager:
What is a Family Resource Center? -
Learn more from the
National Family Resource Center Network (NFSN) - Contact Alaska’s FRC Network Director to get more information about FRCs in Alaska: Abby Struffert, [email protected]
GOALS OF AN FRC:
- To support families to be strong, healthy, and successful
- To contribute to building a strong and healthy community
- To reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect by building the research-based Strengthening Families Protective Factors
FRCS WORK WITH FAMILIES WITH AN APPROACH THAT IS:
- Multi-generational
- Strengths-based
- Family-centered
- Community-designed
FRCS WILL OFFER THESE POTENTIAL SERVICES AND MORE:
- Referral and Service Navigation
- Parenting Classes and Support Groups
- Concrete Supports
- Education Assistance
- Family Nights and Other Events
