Post by admin on May 31, 2007 17:42:13 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2007/0531/Front_Page/041.html
Plans move forward for family center
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD - The borough may soon have a place where residents who need assistance will be greeted by people who can help them navigate their way through the social services system.
The Family Success Center will be a place where Freehold Borough residents can receive support services, hook up with resources and be advised about community agencies.
The center will be under the guidance of the Regional Perinatal Consortium of Monmouth and Ocean Counties Inc. The consortium received a grant from Monmouth Cares, according to Jane Stone, executive director of the consortium. The grant was used to assess whether Freehold Borough could benefit from having such a center.
The Family Success Center was the subject of discussion at the Borough Council's May 21 meeting. Councilman Jaye Sims said he believes the center will benefit residents.
"I believe it will help us to help people and help the town out as well," he said, noting that the center will be funded by a grant and not by borough taxpayers.
The project is currently housed in the YMCA Community Center, Center Street. YMCA Outreach Director Mel O'Neal has been working with representatives of the consortium to establish the Family Success Center and said it has been a "a satisfying and rewarding experience."
He believes the center will help bridge the gap that exists in accessing social services. He said the process has already "opened doors for borough residents and will do so in the future."
At the end of the assessment process, consortium representatives concluded there is a "perceived need in the borough to strengthen families, prevent child abuse and neglect, and build bridges in the community."
The consortium will now apply for a grant from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. Stone said that if it is granted, funding will be provided for three years, based on the conditions of the state budget.
According to the proposal, "strengthening families is important for all communities and especially important in communities where economic disadvantages create disparities in living conditions, safety and education." The report said that often a segment of the population is at particular risk due to their race, ethnicity or legal status in the country.
The goal of the Family Success Center will be to create a "safe place for families to access resources, referrals and direct services that promote strengthening families and building bridges," according to the proposal.
Objectives of the center include linking those in need to community-based services and programs related to housing issues, providing financial literacy training for parents and linking residents to community-based program to attain employment. Children and families that come to the center will be referred to community health programs, mental health services and parenting education if necessary.
The Borough Council is being asked to provide a memorandum of understanding to the consortium which states what each party will do or provide in the collaborative effort.
According to the memorandum, the borough agrees to assist all families referred by the Family Success Center in accessing services normally provided by the borough as appropriate; inform the center of any events sponsored by the borough that may assist families in accessing services; assist the center in publishing events; and provide referrals and linkages to human services and other resources.
The consortium agrees to provide support services, resources and linkages to families referred by the borough; coordinate family activities in cooperation with the borough; advertise dates and locations of events; and publicize borough events of interest to families in the center program.
The next step will be to acquire space in town for the Family Success Center.
"There are so many services available. Many people are not aware of how to go about getting the help they need," Stone said. "Our role is to help them navigate their way through the system to receive what they need."
The memorandum of understanding and the project proposal are currently under discussion and review by council members.
Plans move forward for family center
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD - The borough may soon have a place where residents who need assistance will be greeted by people who can help them navigate their way through the social services system.
The Family Success Center will be a place where Freehold Borough residents can receive support services, hook up with resources and be advised about community agencies.
The center will be under the guidance of the Regional Perinatal Consortium of Monmouth and Ocean Counties Inc. The consortium received a grant from Monmouth Cares, according to Jane Stone, executive director of the consortium. The grant was used to assess whether Freehold Borough could benefit from having such a center.
The Family Success Center was the subject of discussion at the Borough Council's May 21 meeting. Councilman Jaye Sims said he believes the center will benefit residents.
"I believe it will help us to help people and help the town out as well," he said, noting that the center will be funded by a grant and not by borough taxpayers.
The project is currently housed in the YMCA Community Center, Center Street. YMCA Outreach Director Mel O'Neal has been working with representatives of the consortium to establish the Family Success Center and said it has been a "a satisfying and rewarding experience."
He believes the center will help bridge the gap that exists in accessing social services. He said the process has already "opened doors for borough residents and will do so in the future."
At the end of the assessment process, consortium representatives concluded there is a "perceived need in the borough to strengthen families, prevent child abuse and neglect, and build bridges in the community."
The consortium will now apply for a grant from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. Stone said that if it is granted, funding will be provided for three years, based on the conditions of the state budget.
According to the proposal, "strengthening families is important for all communities and especially important in communities where economic disadvantages create disparities in living conditions, safety and education." The report said that often a segment of the population is at particular risk due to their race, ethnicity or legal status in the country.
The goal of the Family Success Center will be to create a "safe place for families to access resources, referrals and direct services that promote strengthening families and building bridges," according to the proposal.
Objectives of the center include linking those in need to community-based services and programs related to housing issues, providing financial literacy training for parents and linking residents to community-based program to attain employment. Children and families that come to the center will be referred to community health programs, mental health services and parenting education if necessary.
The Borough Council is being asked to provide a memorandum of understanding to the consortium which states what each party will do or provide in the collaborative effort.
According to the memorandum, the borough agrees to assist all families referred by the Family Success Center in accessing services normally provided by the borough as appropriate; inform the center of any events sponsored by the borough that may assist families in accessing services; assist the center in publishing events; and provide referrals and linkages to human services and other resources.
The consortium agrees to provide support services, resources and linkages to families referred by the borough; coordinate family activities in cooperation with the borough; advertise dates and locations of events; and publicize borough events of interest to families in the center program.
The next step will be to acquire space in town for the Family Success Center.
"There are so many services available. Many people are not aware of how to go about getting the help they need," Stone said. "Our role is to help them navigate their way through the system to receive what they need."
The memorandum of understanding and the project proposal are currently under discussion and review by council members.