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Our mission is to “help families be families” by strengthening, supporting, educating, and standing with families in need.
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MILESTONES & ACHEIVEMENTS
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roots and wings is a child and family advocacy program for families who are multi-agency involved and at risk for out of home or school placement. Our goal and basic philosophy is to “help families be families”. We currently operated using United Way funding, private donations, and OPC funding. The focus is system of care.
The principles and values of this philosophy include being strength based, culturally competent, putting the needs of the child and family first, partnering with families, providing services based in the community, accountability, and collaboration. roots and wings began in April of 2003 and in less than 2 years had served over 150 families with one-on-one advocacy and group support and provided education to community partners about the needs of children and families. |
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
roots and wings provides one-on-one advocacy by meeting the family where they are, assessing their strengths, and helping them develop
goals and strategies to meet their needs.
• We educate and coach families in partnering with agencies involved in their lives to achieve the family’s goals.
• Community education is also a significant component; staff members educate child serving agencies and the community at large about System of Care and the needs of families.
THE HUMAN SERVICE NEED IN PERSON COUNTY
The families in our program often experience difficulty managing the demands of challenging children and struggle to integrate the multiple services that are available to their families. They often report feeling isolated and ashamed of their situation.
This program offers the opportunity for parent/caregivers to feel empowered and successful in their lives. Very often families and agencies need a bridge between them; our staff provides that bridge in assisting the family in self-advocacy and educating both parties on mandates and restrictions. |
EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THIS PROJECT
As stated, our mission is to “help families be families”.
Families will increase their ability to cope by learning skills to have a more proactive strengths based involvement with agencies. They will begin to see themselves as experts on their children and have the skills to effectively advocate for them. Families will also express a more positive, less isolated view of their lives. Parents/caregivers and youth will report less conflict in their family.
The agencies will also report improved interactions and increased accountability when working with families. |
EVALUATION PROCEDURE DESCRIPTION
Families complete a ‘copeability’ scale at intake and at 3 months intervals to measure their ability to cope. When families move from the more intensive advocacy to minimal maintenance, they are considered to be functioning better. When families move from the more intensive one-on-one advocacy to support group attendance they are also considered to be functioning better. |
FUTURE FUNDING SOURCES
roots and wings is currently funded through private donations, OPC funding, and United Way. We are applying to continue and expand that funding source. Additionally, we are applying for funding from county government. We hope to gain continuation funding from United Way. |
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
This program is ongoing; funds will be used to support all of the program activities and operations.
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