North Carolina Family Resource Coalition (NCFRC)’s Family and Community Training Initiative for Brunswick, Columbus and New Hanover Counties

NCFRC, a consortium of public and private organizations and parents committed to the enhancement and expansion of family support services in North Carolina is pleased to share its plans for offering the national training program: “Empowerment Skills for Family Workers” from Cornell University, beginning in October 2003. This Initiative provides front line workers with skills and competencies to effectively work with families. This comprehensive interagency training and credentialing program is based upon the National Family Resource Coalition’s “best practices” model. Successful participation and completion leads to eligibility for the NC Family Support Credential issued by NCFRC and Duke University’s Certificate Program.

This Initiative is funded by the NC Children’s Trust Fund and is open to family members, professionals and paraprofessionals from all public, private and non-profit service systems. Family leaders and early childhood workers will receive enrollment priority.

The Family Support Credential process includes:

• 90 hours of training
• Development of assignment portfolio with field advisement and mentor support
• Final competency examination and submission of materials to NCFRC and Duke.

Chapter highlights include:

• Family Development from the Strengths Based Approach;
• Communication Skills;
• Worker Self-empowerment;
• Diversity;
• Strengths-based Assessment;
• Helping Families Set and Reach Goals;
• Helping families Access Specialized Services;
• Home Visiting;
• Facilitation Skills: family conferences, support groups and community meetings and Collaboration.

Training Costs are assumed by the grant. The only anticipated expense for agency attendees is the $200.00 application fee for the NC Family Support Credential.

Worker comments about the Empowerment Skills for Family Workers class:

• “I now see families as equals, allowing them to decide what goals to work on instead of telling them what they need.”
• “Now I’m looking for strengths. Last year I never thought about how important that step is when working with families.”
• “I’m more patient and communicate better with families. I look at situations differently now.”
• “It has been helpful to see some concrete “how-to’s” about working with families in an empowering way.”

If you would like further information abut participating in this opportunity as a participant, field advisor or to refer parents, contact Beth Caragol at 910-253-5072 or email: bjcaragol@atmc.net . Please share this information with your family support colleagues.

Click here for a copy of this information in .PDF format.