Valley United Way’s newest agency is TEAM Inc.’s Family Resource Center (FRC). The FRC provides informational resources as well as support services for families in need at no cost. The Family Resource Center also plans programs aimed at giving all children the opportunity for quality and healthy development. Such programs include: free play groups, focus and advisory groups, family activities, the parent comfort line, a monthly newsletter, resource and referral services, early childhood workshops and ages and stages comparison guides.

The FRC helps parents become self reliant individuals by educating them with the knowledge necessary to help their children become the healthiest and happiest members of society as possible. The Family Resource Center also allows these parents to come together to speak about their experiences and share their ideas. By supporting the foundation of our future, the Family Resource Center is preparing the community for a better tomorrow. Through educating and supporting our community, TEAM’s Family Resource Center is Living United.

Jack Walsh, President and C.O.O. of Valley United Way said that the FRC would be a great addition to groups seeking to improve school readiness efforts in the Valley. He said, "We know from data collected by our Discovery communities that parents are really looking for this kind of information throughout the Valley, and the FRC is going to be one-stop shopping for them".

While the FRC will be providing traveling site visits and programs at schools, libraries, and other locations throughout the Valley, the Family Resource Center’s main location is housed within TEAM Inc at:

30 Elizabeth Street
Derby, CT 06418

Ø Parenting workshops

Ø Playgroups for children birth to 5

o Enable children to socialize with peers and are valued by parents, who are able to gauge their child’s progress and readiness for school as compared with other children. Playgroups can potentially serve as the first opportunity to get together with other parents and children.

Ø Focused parent meetings

o Parents not only benefit from specific FRC services for them and their children but also from the network of support that FRCs provide. FRCs represent a safe and secure place for parents to congregate, socialize and network. This support network is important for parents who are new to a community and especially helpful for first time parents, and parents experiencing challenges, whether personal or professional. Providing a support network is essential in enhancing families’ abilities to cope with stressful situations – note that this has implications for children as well as their parents since children are influenced by their parents’ mental health status.

Ø “One-stop shop” for families with young children in need of multiple services

o Community-based services & resources

Ø Assist school staff and various community-based agencies that depend on the FRC’s knowledge base and access to families

Ø Ages & Stages / Other Screening Tools

o Referrals to Birth To Three and Public Schools

o Children receive appropriate services that address developmental and learning problems and prevent, or lessen, the need for special education placements.

Ø Provider training/workshops

Ø Early Education Academy

Ø Raising Readers

Ø Other referrals as noted above under “Provide a single point of entry…”

Ø Child Find

Ø Ability to establish partnerships/collaborations in order to leverage additional funding

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