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Family Resource Centers and FRC Networks
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What is a Family Resource Center?
Family Resource Centers (FRCs) are common structures of family support and strengthening programs. They are welcoming hubs that serve families within communities, areas, and counties. They come in different shapes and sizes, such as community-based FRCs, school-based FRCs, mobile FRCs, and more. their services are provided at low or no cost to participants and are responsive to the needs, cultures, and interests of the communities they serve. FRCs are defined in California State Statute under Senate Bill 436.
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Learn more about FRCs with the National Family Support Network overview.
Local FRC networks emerge from a need for FRCs to collaborate within service areas to best support the needs of families they serve together. An FRC network consists of two or more family resource centers, with a backbone entity to leverage the collective impact of the FRC members. The backbone organization maybe a volunteer FRC within the network, a funder, or a nonprofit with the specific task of coordinating the network.
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Learn more about FRC Networks with the National Family Support Network overview.
What is an FRC Network?
Vehicles for Change
In 2000, “Family Resource Centers, Vehicles for Change” was presented to the field as the seminal document describing family resource centers (FRCs) and how they are a unique platform for service delivery and community engagement. Today, it is treasured as a guide to defining the key characteristics and activities of quality FRCs and how they function as a vehicle for change for families and communities.
The new monograph, “Vehicles for Change, Volume II, The Evolving Field”, emerged in response to widespread interest to tell the continuing story of FRCs and the field of family strengthening. It describes the factors that have contributed to the growth and development of FRCs and how they have responded to the growing body of research and best practice, while remaining anchored in a deep and rich history invested in the well-being of children, families, and communities.
The monograph refreshes the definition of the field based on the unique methods of FRC service delivery and community change efforts driven by relationships, reciprocity, and community development. This perspective serves to unite FRCs across the state as a “field of practice” and illustrates the environment necessary for FRCs to thrive.
For hard copies of Vehicles for Change monographs, contact Aleena Mendoza at amendoza@thecapcenter.org. For Training and TA on Vehicles for Change, fill out the Strategies TA request form
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