The January NFPN News Notes, Help for Hard Times, stated that all of us are embarking on a new year with many challenges. With the past two months as an indicator, I think we would probably agree that the challenges are now far greater. The National Family Preservation Network (NFPN) has committed to helping families get through hard times this year. Let me share with you how NFPN is doing that in a local community and invite you to share how your organization is helping families.
I live in southern Idaho in an agricultural area known as the Magic Valley. The "magic" arrived 100 years ago when canals were dug to bring irrigation water from the Snake River to 200,000 acres of land that had mainly produced sagebrush. Almost overnight, the sagebrush was replaced by seed crops that thrive in this high desert environment: alfalfa, corn, beans and, yes, the famous Idaho potatoes. My grandfather grubbed sagebrush off 320 acres of land that are still farmed by my family today. The fifth generation to live on this farm just turned 6 months old!
But there's also a harsh side to family life here. Unemployment doubled as the recession took hold last fall and Idaho had the second lowest growth rate in income last year. Families who struggled to get by with two incomes are now down to one wage earner or sometimes no wage earner. Here's what NFPN is doing at the local level:
Through the umbrella theme of Celebrate Family, NFPN has developed a project to honor family life and support stronger family relationships. The centerpiece of the year of celebrating family is a Family Reunion Day. The regional child welfare agency will send out invitations to about 100 families who have been reunified during the past year. A celebration for these families will be held in a local park with free food, games, and a small gift for each family. A local church will provide volunteers for the event.
The child welfare agency is also focusing on increasing father involvement this year. The agency failed the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) in the area of father involvement, as did most child welfare agencies nationwide. NFPN will provide its Fatherhood Training curricula and technical assistance to train social workers, legal advocates, and community service providers on father involvement. The goal is to position the child welfare agency to pass the CFSR on indicators of father involvement. There will also be outreach to fathers: a local service club will sponsor events that attract fathers and children (fishing day, sporting events). The club will work with the local elementary school to establish a program called Watch D.O.G.S (Dads of Great Students). Dads sign up for one day a year to provide school security and other functions as assigned by the principal. Young men will be encouraged to participate in a marriage readiness group and a support group for fathers will also be established.
Two additional events focused on families will include a movie night for families and a mother-daughter fashion show. All of the activities and programs are designed to recognize, support, and strengthen families. The hope is that the Magic Valley will assume ownership of these or similar programs and activities and continue providing them in future years.
Where will the funding come from? This is dairy country so NFPN is submitting a funding proposal to a local cheese processor. Of course, even with funding in hand, it would be impossible to do all of this without volunteers. In planning these events and programs, I met with over a dozen local organizations, businesses, and churches. The people of Magic Valley are generous with their time. There will be over 100 volunteers involved with Celebrate Family.
So, that's an example of how NFPN is planning to help families this year at the community level. Please share what your organization is doing to help families and we'll publish some examples in future NFPN News Notes. Meanwhile, here are Web sites for the resources mentioned in this newsletter, including information for your local community about federal stimulus funds and other federal funding.
Why Knot? (Marriage-readiness curriculum for men)
NFPN's Father Involvement Training Curricula
Federal Stimulus Funding (and other funding that may be available for your community)
Priscilla Martens, Executive Director
National Family Preservation Network
Contact Priscilla Martens