Families First
Family Resource Center celebrating 30 years of serving the community
If
the family is the foundation of a community, then there’s a local organization working hard to ensure that Rome and Floyd County have a solid foundation... and that it stays that way.
Founded in 1991, the Exchange Club Family Resource Center provides in-home parenting and life skills education to families who are feeling overwhelmed. The beauty of the program is that the agency and the parents it serves partner together.
While parenting and life skills may be something many people take for granted, there are those in the community for whom those skills don’t come naturally or weren’t taught. There are some who need a little help learning those skills so they’re better parents and can raise healthy, happy families.
That’s where the Family Resource Center comes in.
When the FRC receives a referral on a family — these come from agencies and individuals across our community — they reach out to parents to introduce themselves.
“We welcome self-referrals as well,” said Tina Bartleson, executive director of the FRC. “All services are offered at no charge. We serve Floyd County families who have at least one child in their home 12 years or younger. We also welcome expectant parents.”
After a referral is accepted, Center staff schedule an appointment with the family and then travel to the home of the family to get to know their strengths, challenges, history, and current needs.
Bartleson said together, the parents and their Parent Aide identify the issues that are creating stress on the family and craft a plan to address those challenge areas. That plan varies from family-to-family but might include things such as designing a family budget, learning ways to manage a toddler’s temper tantrums, connecting with housing resources, learning healthy ways to manage stress, nutrition, helping an infant get on a routine, learning about ways to help children thrive, and learning how to manage misbehaviors without hitting or screaming.
Parent Aides visit families at their homes 3-4 times a month on a schedule that is convenient for families. During home visits, the Parent Aide provides information gleaned from a variety of evidencedbased parent education and/or life skill curricula. Parents not only receive information but in-home support as they integrate this new information into everyday life.
“In 2020, the FRC served 142 families, impacting 210 parents and 324 children,” Bartleson said. “More than half of the families served are headed by single parents and families with children birth to 5 years comprise almost 50% of our caseload. In addition to serving parents, the FRC serves grandparents or family members caring for children not their own (this is over 10% of our caseload).”
How you can help
The Family Resource Center needs the community’s support to keep providing their much-needed services to Rome and Floyd County.
Two upcoming events will benefit the FRC and help fight child abuse in the community.
The first is “An Evening with Scott Thompson: Songs I Wrote
and Songs I Wish I Wrote” on Saturday, May 8 at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds Special Events Pavilion.
The outdoor concert will feature local singer/songwriter Scott Thompson as headliner as well as two up-and-coming songwriters showcasing their songs in the opening act. All proceeds benefit the Exchange Club Family Resource Center, a child abuse prevention agency serving Rome/floyd County families since 1991.
“An Evening with Scott Thompson is new to our event line-up”, said
Kelly Sanker, Vice President of the Family Resource Center Board and one of the event organizers. “Demand for our services is up and during this high stress time our services are needed more than ever.” Co-host Julie Blanton Smith states, “We are excited to provide a live and in-person event that is more intimate in scale and that includes one of our favorite musicians. I’m so glad that we can support an agency that makes a difference to overwhelmed families.”
Guests will be seated in pre-assigned 8x8 boxes under a covered but open air pavilion (maximum 4 people per box). Masks are required outside of assigned seating. Gates open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 7 p.m. Ticket options range from $150 (standard space for four; guests bring own lawn chairs) to $500 (front row seating that provides a table and seating for four). Boxed meals are available for purchase from The Season Events (no outside food or beverage permitted). A cash bar is available with one free drink ticket per person included in ticket price.
Meals and event tickets can be purchased online at https:// www.givesignup.org/ticketevent/ Aneveningwithscottthompson
The second event is the 10th Annual “Tee Off Against Child Abuse” golf tournament.
The tournament is set for Friday, May 14, at Stonebridge Golf Club in Rome.
Family Resource Center board member Ben Levy has led this event for several years and said “The Family Resource Center is an important part of our community and their services help overwhelmed families find their footing again. Their services are needed more than ever…and golfing is a great way to have fun and give back.”
Several team and sponsorship options remain, ranging in price from $450-$650. In addition, there are sign sponsor opportunities that are a great way to recognize businesses or individuals at $150 each.
“Families are under a great deal of stress and some feel very isolated,” Bartleson said. “Through our
Exchange Parent Aide program, we bring support and information to families who need it most — and we help keep children safe.”
Registration for the Four-man Scramble includes breakfast, lunch and carts. Registration forms and more information is available on the events page at www.frcrome.org. Individuals who may not golf but still want to support local child abuse prevention efforts can also participate by making a general contribution. All the funds remain in the Rome and Floyd County community.
For additional information, visit online at www.frcrome.org or call 706290-0764.