Iowa State Unviersity Extension: Family Resiliency: Making a Difference

Family Resiliency

Making a Difference: Community Programs That Last

Thomas R. Lee, Jay A. Mancini, C. Sue Miles, and Lydia I. Marek

A Matrix of Program Criteria and Site Visit Observations of those Criteria

Note: If you wish to print the matrix on one 8 1/2 by 11 inch page, change your printer's paper orientation to landscape and print at approximately 65%. (Exact percentage may vary depending on your printer.)

Communities & Schools Family Resource Development Association Hampton Family Resource Project Jackie Robinson Center For Physical Culture Project Uplift Southside Boys and Girls Club Youth Opportunities Unlimited

1. Community-based and carried out in collaboration with many community partners 70+ agencies collaborate decentralized services for youth and families. "Patch" teams of 28 human service agencies and private and public organizations target neighborhoods of 5,000 to 10,000 people. Research based standards yet community based with individually assessed plans. Clearly targeted community resources from public, private sector involved. Program offices, and family and child support centers are in housing complex. Public and private partners support clear goals established with all involved. Opportunities for youth build on community strengths.

2. Comprehensive in scope, based on an ecological view of individuals, families and communities Mentoring and tutoring focus on need-based support. School site includes 5 family resource centers located in a daycare center, neighborhood center, and schools provide classes and activities to support individuals and families. Social, physical and emotional support are provided until children are ready for school. All youth have special support in science, math counseling and activities they choose. Formal and informal education and support services are tailored to fit need. Homework support, physical activities and parent involvement nurture and strengthen youth. Diverse experiences for youth and parents expand their support base and networks.

3. Inclusive of program participants in program planning, delivery and ongoing participatory evaluation to support participants in addressing the critical issues that affect their lives Parent and child surveys are conducted on an annual basis.
Parent and school site councils guide direction. One to one and feedback sessions support program direction. Home visitors assure feedback and planning with families and providers. Parent advisories are actively involved at each site. Activities involve the whole family. Truly an empowerment model that works for participants. They are getting jobs, getting evaluation and moving on. Routine focus groups with children and parents support program directions. Youth are actively involved in selection of activities.
Parents help select family activities.

4. Preventive, through successfully interfacing service and education and recognizing and building on participants' strengths to enhance skills and foster empowerment Scholarships and other incentives support continued growth.
Dental and physical exams are a prevention plus. Staff workers help negotiate systems and serve as mentors. Health care and parenting support family resiliency. Clearly identified social, cultural and intellectual development builds on strengths.
Parents contract with program. Participants learn about their rights and responsibility and how to address their needs. Values, life skills and support in school work and physical activities help to prevent future problems. Interpersonal skills, adult relationships, positive peer associations and involvement in community provide motivations and support achievements.

5. Developmentally appropriate and based on current research Activities and classes are built on the need of youth served. Built on research based British "Patch" system. High standards for the program are research based. Involved and growing youth and parents determine activities. Action research keeps program on target. Youth activities, resiliency and a holistic approach with families support growth. Know protection factors are reinforced throughout the program process and curriculums.

6. Accessible to participants with a mix of program deliveries based on the needs of participants On site programs for youth and families, utilize school and community resources. Worker help to advocate and negotiate for identified service and education. Home visitors connect families with the right mix to support over time. Programs and services at school sites support growth and development for youth for up to six hours, 3-5 days a week. Family resource support with services and day care are located in housing complex. Youth identify with their activities, and health and homework support target through well-being. Transportaition is provided for popular activity sites to reach youth and educational support compliments growth needs.

7. Accountable to stakeholders and able to demonstrate positive outcomes in participants and community environments Evaluation instrument from UNC-Chapel Hill supports planning and success documentation. Research tie with U of I and evaluation on site provide for information and accountability needs the right combination of constituency-building, and standard setting involves all partners. The program is recognized by city and county government as pivotal to the well-being of the community. Celebrations showcasing program impact are frequent, executed with marketing expertise and stakeholders given high visibility as well. National focus on "Best Practices" continues to examine practices and enhances the development of the family support field. Program leaders keep success stories in front of the public on a continuous basis. Strong evaluation component with UNA assures impact on resiliency factors.

8. The leadership and vision of program directors and advisories guide the responsive change and growth of the program. Individualized plans address social and academic needs and suggest needed change.
National and local buyins approach. A shared vision of community based support and development guide program directions. Visible decision-makers in the community who make things happen are the steering committee. Small central staff with high level of expertise in program and community relationships guide a high standard, clearly focused program. Leadership is shared across the spectrum of providers and consumers, and a shared philosophy guides the program. Consistent long-term leadership has developed significant partnership and shared vision for programs. A shared vision with the Director of Extension and community leaders undergirds visionary program leadership.

	Communities & Schools	Family Resource Development Association	Hampton Family Resource Project	Jackie Robinson Center For Physical Culture	Project Uplift	Southside Boys and Girls Club	Youth Opportunities Unlimited
1. Community-based and carried out in collaboration with many community partners	70+ agencies collaborate decentralized services for youth and families.	"Patch" teams of 28 human service agencies and private and public organizations target neighborhoods of 5,000 to 10,000 people.	Research based standards yet community based with individually assessed plans.	Clearly targeted community resources from public, private sector involved.	Program offices, and family and child support centers are in housing complex.	Public and private partners support clear goals established with all involved.	Opportunities for youth build on community strengths.
2. Comprehensive in scope, based on an ecological view of individuals, families and communities	Mentoring and tutoring focus on need-based support.	School site includes 5 family resource centers located in a daycare center, neighborhood center, and schools provide classes and activities to support individuals and families.	Social, physical and emotional support are provided until children are ready for school.	All youth have special support in science, math counseling and activities they choose.	Formal and informal education and support services are tailored to fit need.	Homework support, physical activities and parent involvement nurture and strengthen youth.	Diverse experiences for youth and parents expand their support base and networks.
3. Inclusive of program participants in program planning, delivery and ongoing participatory evaluation to support participants in addressing the critical issues that affect their lives	Parent and child surveys are conducted on an annual basis. Parent and school site councils guide direction.	One to one and feedback sessions support program direction.	Home visitors assure feedback and planning with families and providers.	Parent advisories are actively involved at each site. Activities involve the whole family.	Truly an empowerment model that works for participants. They are getting jobs, getting evaluation and moving on.	Routine focus groups with children and parents support program directions.	Youth are actively involved in selection of activities. Parents help select family activities.
4. Preventive, through successfully interfacing service and education and recognizing and building on participants' strengths to enhance skills and foster empowerment	Scholarships and other incentives support continued growth. Dental and physical exams are a prevention plus.	Staff workers help negotiate systems and serve as mentors.	Health care and parenting support family resiliency.	Clearly identified social, cultural and intellectual development builds on strengths. Parents contract with program.	Participants learn about their rights and responsibility and how to address their needs.	Values, life skills and support in school work and physical activities help to prevent future problems.	Interpersonal skills, adult relationships, positive peer associations and involvement in community provide motivations and support achievements.
5. Developmentally appropriate and based on current research	Activities and classes are built on the need of youth served.	Built on research based British "Patch" system.	High standards for the program are research based.	Involved and growing youth and parents determine activities.	Action research keeps program on target.	Youth activities, resiliency and a holistic approach with families support growth.	Know protection factors are reinforced throughout the program process and curriculums.
6. Accessible to participants with a mix of program deliveries based on the needs of participants	On site programs for youth and families, utilize school and community resources.	Worker help to advocate and negotiate for identified service and education.	Home visitors connect families with the right mix to support over time.	Programs and services at school sites support growth and development for youth for up to six hours, 3-5 days a week.	Family resource support with services and day care are located in housing complex.	Youth identify with their activities, and health and homework support target through well-being.	Transportaition is provided for popular activity sites to reach youth and educational support compliments growth needs.
7. Accountable to stakeholders and able to demonstrate positive outcomes in participants and community environments	Evaluation instrument from UNC-Chapel Hill supports planning and success documentation.	Research tie with U of I and evaluation on site provide for information and accountability needs the right combination of constituency-building, and standard setting involves all partners.	The program is recognized by city and county government as pivotal to the well-being of the community.	Celebrations showcasing program impact are frequent, executed with marketing expertise and stakeholders given high visibility as well.	National focus on "Best Practices" continues to examine practices and enhances the development of the family support field.	Program leaders keep success stories in front of the public on a continuous basis.	Strong evaluation component with UNA assures impact on resiliency factors.
8. The leadership and vision of program directors and advisories guide the responsive change and growth of the program.	Individualized plans address social and academic needs and suggest needed change. National and local buyins approach.	A shared vision of community based support and development guide program directions.	Visible decision-makers in the community who make things happen are the steering committee.	Small central staff with high level of expertise in program and community relationships guide a high standard, clearly focused program.	Leadership is shared across the spectrum of providers and consumers, and a shared philosophy guides the program.	Consistent long-term leadership has developed significant partnership and shared vision for programs.	A shared vision with the Director of Extension and community leaders undergirds visionary program leadership.