“Child abuse prevention is about supporting families. Family Resource Centers excel at this,” stated Prevent Child Abuse Arizona Executive Director Claire Louge as she welcomed 120 attendees to the first annual Family Resource Center Summit on August 20.
Claire highlighted the growing importance of Family Resource Centers (FRCs) in making Arizona a great place to raise a child. Connecting families with resources and supports before stressors become overwhelming is a key strategy to prevent abuse and neglect before it ever happens. This also can reduce calls to the Department of Child Safety that don't fall within its scope. Surprisingly, 90% of reports to DCS don’t end up in findings of child abuse or neglect. While DCS protects children, it’s not designed to be a primary source of family support, and families often hesitate to seek help from an agency with the power to remove children. This gap underscores the need for a community-based family support system — one that FRCs are ideally positioned to fill.
“Designed to meet families where they are, FRCs provide crucial support, helping to strengthen family dynamics and prevent unnecessary interventions," shares the Director of the Paradise Valley Family Resource Center, Molly Kemp. "By offering resources and guidance tailored to individual needs, FRCs empower families to create a nurturing environment for their children, ultimately fostering a safer and more supportive community.”
Prevent Child Abuse Arizona is committed to expanding and strengthening the existing FRC system across the state, building a robust infrastructure to provide essential resources to families before crises arise.
In September 2023, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona became the coordinator of the Arizona Family Resource Network (AZFRN), the statewide professional network for FRCs. This network fosters connection, peer learning, and advocacy for the field. Prevent Child Abuse Arizona is committed to building awareness and advocating for increased funding for Arizona Family Resource Centers alongside key partners like First Things First, Casey Family Programs, and DCS.
The desire for professional development and stronger connections among FRC staff led to the creation of the Family Resource Center Summit. The event featured a keynote by Free Arts on using the arts to build resilience and reflection, along with six workshops covering topics like family outreach, parent advocacy, resilience-building, and improving referral systems.
A highlight of the summit was the poster session, in which 30 FRCs shared their successes, challenges, and alignment with the Strengthening Families Protective Factors and Quality Standards for Family Strengthening and Support. “I enjoyed learning about the challenges and successes other FRCs are experiencing. It’s reassuring to know we’re all striving for the same goal—supporting families and children,” shared one attendee.
The sense of community and shared purpose was a beacon for renewal. “I feel more connected and energized!” a participant remarked.
This inaugural summit is just the beginning. As momentum for FRCs grows, we are committed to expanding this event, and equipping FRCs and their partners with the tools and inspiration to meet the needs of Arizona families.
