When people think of The Child and Family Network Centers, preschool is typically the word that comes to mind, for good reason. Each year, CFNC provides nationally accredited preschool, free of charge, to nearly 200 children living in poverty, preparing them for success in school and in life. Yet CFNC also provides an array of family support services, including ESL classes, job placement services, and health services that give children what they need most: strong, healthy, stable families to nurture and support them in their journey through school and life.
The situations of the parents CFNC served this year were generally similar to years past, including poverty, limited English proficiency, lack of knowledge about how to access services, and lack of confidence in partnering in their child's education. However, this year also yielded a significant increase in the number of unemployed parents, likely due to the current recession. CFNC’s social workers, each with an average case load of 60 families, spent more time helping parents secure jobs, gain training to be more competitive in the job marketplace, and/or avoid or overcome foreclosure on their homes.
The results from these initiatives indicate a successful approach. Forty-one parents gained employment (compared to 14 one year earlier, an increase of nearly 200%); 20 parents enrolled in educational or job training programs (compared to 13 one year earlier, an increase of 54%); and 21 parents obtained appropriate housing (compared to 9 one year earlier, an increase of 133%). Additionally, 13 families in crisis situations who were unable to meet their basic needs from outside agencies received the support they needed from CFNC’s Family Services to maintain stable households for their children. By the end of year, 157 parents set and achieved at least one goal that led to improved parenting skills, a more stable home environment, gains in English literacy, and/or employment (61 of these parents achieved two goals and 63 achieved three or more goals).
To give CFNC’s social workers more time to focus on non-employment-related family needs, The Herb Block Foundation has provided a grant to fund a part-time, on-site job placement coach. The position, beginning this fall, will enable CFNC to provide more employment-related services, including workshops that promote soft (interviewing, timeliness, work ethic, etc.) and hard (resume writing and computer literacy) skills critical to securing and keeping a job.
