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Webinar

Wednesdays

WEBINAR WEDNESDAYS

The National Family Support Network’s free Webinar Wednesdays series raises awareness of Family Resource Centers, Family Resource Center Networks, and the nationally-adopted Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support. Click here to view the 2024 Webinar Wednesday calendar.

Upcoming Webinar Wednesdays

December 4, 2024 2:30- 3:45pmEST

From Under the Radar to All the Rage: FRCs & FRC Networks

What are Family Resource Centers (FRCs) and how are they networked across the country?

What does research show about the positive outcomes FRCs have achieved for children and families? Why are so many public and private funders at the state, city, county, and community levels choosing to invest in FRCs?  For more information and to register, please click here.

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Recent Webinar Wednesdays

August 7, 2024 2:30- 3:45pmEST

Network Spotlight: Minnesota Community & Family Resource Network

Webinar Link Materials Link

How did counties, communities, and a philanthropic foundation collaborate to lead FRC development in Minnesota?

This webinar will provide an in-depth look at the Minnesota Community & Family Resource Network, highlighting their grassroots efforts at the county and community levels to develop Family Resource Centers (FRCs) and FRC Network, the benefits they have found in partnering with philanthropy and state departments, and their lessons learned. They will also share the three pillars that ground their FRC’s development and ability to maintain fidelity: The Standards of Quality, Protective Factors, and the value of parents with lived experience.

Presenters:

  • Colleen O’Keefe, Executive DirectorSauer Family Foundation

  • Angie Thies, Child Welfare Policy Analyst, Association of Minnesota Counties

  • Suzanne Arntson, HHS Deputy Director, Scott County Health & Human Services

  • Brenda Mahoney, Project Coordinator, Association of Minnesota Counties

Moderator:

  • Julie Matusick, Senior Manager - Membership & Events, National Family Support Network 

July 31, 2024

Family Resource Centers: Working with African American Families

Webinar Link Materials Link

In what ways do Family Resource Centers effectively support African American Families?

This webinar will explore the experiences of Family Resource Centers working effectively with African American families, through developing programs, activities, and supportive environments specifically designed to be responsive to and supportive of their well-being and success.  

Presenters:

  • Marcel Boyd, Executive DirectorLiberation Family Resource Center

  • Pilar Waters, Family Success Navigator, Liberation Family Resource Center

  • Ebony Glover-Epps, Lived Experience Expert, Families Forward Virginia

  • Paul Taylor, Co-Executive Director, Virginia League for Safer Streets

  • Nia Howze, Parent Leader, East Liberty Center Family Resource Center

  • Dayna Jones, Program Coordinator, East Liberty Center Family Resource Center

  • Joshua McKinley, Asst. Program Coordinator/Father/Men's Initiative
    Coordinator, East Liberty Family Resource Center

Moderator:

  • LaDonna Collins, Senior Manager - Standards Training & Implementation, National Family Support Network 

July 24, 2024

From Under the Radar to All the Rage: Family Resource Centers & FRC Networks
Webinar Link Materials Link
What are Family Resource Centers (FRCs) and how are they networked across the country?
What does research show about the positive outcomes FRCs have achieved for children and families? Why are so many public and private funders at the state, city, county, and community levels choosing to invest in FRCs? 

Presenter: 

  • Julie Matusick, Senior Manager Membership & Events, National Family Support Network 

July 17, 2024

An Overview of the Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support 

Webinar Link Materials Link

What does it mean to be a quality Family Strengthening and Support Program?

This webinar provides an overview of the nationally-adopted Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support. It includes examples of how they are being implemented at the systems and program level, including through the Standards Certification Training which more than 16,100 people have successfully completed nationwide.

Presenter:

  • LaDonna Collins, Senior Manager - Standards Training & Implementation, National Family Support Network 

  • Jennifer Johnson - Dungey, Administrative Manager - Standards Training & Implementation, National Family Support Network 

June 26, 2024

 Family Resource Centers Working with Families in Rural Communities

Webinar Link Materials Link

Co-sponsored by Director of Family Partnership, Partners for Rural Impact

In what ways are Family Resource Centers effectively supporting families in rural communities? 
How do FRCs cover great distances in rural service areas?
What have been the challenges, successes, and lessons learned from working in rural settings? 

 This webinar will illustrate how Family Resource Centers work effectively with families in rural communities with examples from programs in Colorado, Minnesota, and Vermont. Presenters will discuss their strategies for providing services, supports, and opportunities for families living in rural and remote areas, from the creation of mobile FRCs offering wraparound family support services to the importance of building local collaborations that unite resources for families.  
Presenters:

  • Cheryl Couture , Grandparent Participant, Northeast Kingdom Community Action

  • Elizabeth Emmett, Director of Family, Youth, & Early Education Services, Northeast Kingdom Community Action

  • Rosie Gomez,  Executive Director, Cornerstone Resource Center

  • Victoria Ramirez, Site Manager, Polk County Family Resource Centers

  • Jennifer Compeau, Family Resource Coordinator & Parent Leader, Polk County Family Resource Centers

Moderator:

  • Brenda McChesney, Co-Founder & Associate Director, National Family Support Network

May 1, 2024

 Network Spotlight: Washington Family Support Network 

Webinar Link Materials Link

Co-presented with Children's Home Society of America

How did the Washington Family Support Network come into being? 

This webinar details the impressive success story of how the Children's Home Society of Washington (now Akin) saw the value of establishing a state Network of Family Resource Centers, and secured bipartisan legislative support and significant public and private funding to launch it in 2021.

Presenters:

  • Marlo Nash , Managing Director, Children's Home Society of America

  • Janica Lockhart, Chief Impact Officer, Akin

  • Nathan Koch,  Washington Family Support Network Director, Akin

Moderator:

  • Brenda McChesney, Co-Founder & Associate Director, National Family Support Network

April 24, 2024

 Family Resource Centers: Supporting Parents and Caregivers of teens 

Webinar Link Materials Link

In what ways are Family Resource Centers effectively supporting parents of teens?

This webinar illustrates how Family Resource Centers work effectively with parents and caregivers of teens, with innovative examples from the Palisades Family Success Center in New Jersey, and the Kailua High School Family Resource Center in Hawaii. Both Programs have seen a difference in serving families more comprehensively through providing supports and services for parents and caregivers of teens. Presenters will discuss the range of services offered, from lighter touch to more comprehensive programs, as well as the challenges, successes, and lessons learned.

Presenters:

  • Katrina Souza, Parent Advisory Council Member, Kailua High School

  • Diana Baldwin, Family Resource Center Director, Kailua High School

  • Christian Mejia,  Site Director, Palisades Family Success Center

  • Caitlin Noonan, Program Manager, Partnership for Maternal & Child Health for Teen Speak Program

Moderator:

  • Brenda McChesney, Co-Founder & Associate Director, National Family Support Network

 

April 17, 2024

Effective Program Implementation of the Standards of Quality

Webinar Link Materials Link

What difference has implementing the Standards made for Programs?

This webinar highlights how two different kinds of Programs - a military Family Resource Center in Nova Scotia, Canada, and a Healthy Families home visiting program in Texas - have successfully utilized the nationally-adopted Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support to enhance their work. 

Presenters:

  • Kara MacNeil, Learning, Engagement & Evaluation Director, Halifax & Region Military FRC

  • Anika Adams- Collins, Family Support Specialist, Healthy Families Travis County

  • Jennifer Johnson-Dungey, Administrative Manager, National Family Support Network

Moderator:

  • Julie Matusick, Senior Manager - Membership & Events, National Family Support Network

 

March 27, 2024

Network Spotlight: Illinois Family Support Network 

Webinar Link • Materials Link

How does the Illinois Family Support Network integrate diverse Programs?

This webinar provides an in-depth look at the Illinois Family Support Network which is comprised of Family Advocacy Centers (FACs), Crisis Nurseries, and Parents Care & Share Programs across the state. It explores the use of the Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support as a unifying framework for the Network, the establishment of FACs tailored to specific ethnic groups, and the successful effort to raise FAC salaries. 

Presenters:

  • Julia Monzon, Statewide Manager, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Family Advocacy Centers

  • Tahney Fletcher, Community Based Child Abuse Prevention Grant Administrator, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

  • Kelsey Sepich, Program Services Director, Crittenton Centers

Moderator:

  • Julie Matusick, Senior Manager - Membership & Events, National Family Support Network

March 20, 2024

Family Resource Centers: Supporting Parent Leadership Development

Webinar Link Materials Link

In what ways do Family Resource Centers enhance the leadership skills and opportunities of parents and caregivers?

This webinar explores how Family Resource Centers (FRCs) recognize and strengthen parents as natural leaders of their families and advance equity by providing opportunities for them to further develop and apply their leadership skills in programs and the community.  

Presenters:​

  • Yessenia D. Alvarez-Vera, Director, North Ward Center Family Success Center, Newark, New Jersey

  • Christina Armstrong, Director, Greenway Family Success Center, Avenel, New Jersey

  • Catherine Davalos, Parent Leader, Greenway Family Success Center, Avenel, New Jersey
    Moderator

  • Andrew Russo, Co-Founder & Director, National Family Support Network

 

February 28, 2024

From Under the Radar to All the Rage: Family Resource Centers & FRC Networks
Webinar Link Materials Link
What are Family Resource Centers (FRCs) and how are they networked across the country?
What does research show about the positive outcomes FRCs have achieved for children and families? Why are so many public and private funders at the state, city, county, and community levels choosing to invest in FRCs? 

Presenter: 

  • Andrew Russo, Co-Founder & Director, National Family Support Network

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February 21, 2024

Exploring the Connection: Community Action Agencies & FRCs
Webinar Link Materials Link

Co-presented with the National Community Action Partnership

How does the work of Community Action Agencies and Family Resource Centers intersect in supporting families?
This webinar highlights the impactful work of Community Action Agencies and Family Resource Centers supporting American families. Presenters discuss similarities and differences of the programs, and examples of when they work in complementary or collaborative ways, or are sometimes one and the same.

Presenters:

  • Denise Harlow, Chief Executive Officer, National Community Action Partnership

  • Daniela Lizarraga, Navigations Manager, El Centro De La Raza, Washington

  • Jason Wilde, Executive Director, Open Doors Utah, Utah
    Moderator

  • Julie Matusick, Senior Manager - Membership & Events, National Family Support Network

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January 31, 2024

Here’s Where to Find That: An Overview of NFSN Resources
Webinar Link Materials Link

What existing and new resources are available through the NFSN to support the development of FRCs and FRC Networks?
This webinar highlights tools, resources, and guidance available through the National Family Support Network to support the development of FRCs and FRC Networks.  It includes an overview of the NFSN’s newly enhanced technical assistance program and a sneak peek at new training offerings.  

Presenters:

  • Brenda McChesney, Co-Founder & Associate Director, National Family Support Network

  • Julie Matusick, Senior Manager - Membership & Events, National Family Support Network

January 24, 2024

An Overview of the Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support 

Webinar Link Materials Link

What does it mean to be a quality Family Strengthening and Support Program?

This webinar provides an overview of the nationally-adopted Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support. It includes examples of how they are being implemented at the systems and program level, including through the Standards Certification Training which more than 16,100 people have successfully completed nationwide.

Presenter:

  • Mayra Carter, Interim Senior Manager - Standards Training & Implementation, National Family Support Network 

November 29, 2023

Network Spotlight: West Virginia

Webinar Link • Materials Link

How did West Virginia more than double the number of FRCs in the past few years to ensure universal access? 

This webinar will highlight how and why West Virginia has built on its first investments in Family Resource Centers nearly 20 years ago to expand access to them significantly in the last few years. Staff of both long-established and new FRCs will share their work as part of the Network of 55 FRCs in 53 counties.  Participants will also learn how the state’s participation in a new federal learning community that partners TANF and child welfare for prevention, Families Are Stronger Together, will further develop the Network.  

Presenters:

  • Kent Nowviskie, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau for Family Assistance, West Virginia Department of Health & Human Services

  • Traci Kinney, Director, Marshall County Success Center

  • Audrey Morris, Director, Morgan County Family Success Center 

Moderator:

  • Brenda McChesney, Co-Founder & Associate Director, National Family Support Network

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November 15, 2023, 2:30pm- 4:00pm ET

Aloha Quality: Standards Implementation in Hawaiʻi

Webinar Link • Materials Link

How does the Hawaiʻi ʻOhana Support Network effectively use the Standards to support FRC growth and continuous quality improvement?

This webinar will highlight the Hawaiʻi ʻOhana Support Network’s implementation journey with the nationally-adopted Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support. The Network will
share how and why they started implementing the Standards, the difference that the Standards have made for Family Resource Centers (FRCs) and their Network, and their lessons learned. 

Presenters:

  • Kathleen O'Dell, HOSN Network Coordinator, University of Hawaiʻi - Human Development and Family Studies

  • Kukunaokalā Yoshimoto, HOSN Co-Chair, Executive Director, 
    Blueprint for Chang
    e

Moderator:

  • Julie Matusick, Senior Manager - Membership & Events, National Family Support Network

Core Webinar Wednesdays

These three recurring Webinar Wednesdays provide foundational understanding of the Family Support and Strengthening Field.  Viewing them for valuable context in advance of participating in other sessions is highly encouraged.

July 17, 2024

An Overview of the Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support 

Webinar Link Materials Link

What does it mean to be a quality Family Strengthening and Support Program?

This webinar provides an overview of the nationally-adopted Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support. It includes examples of how they are being implemented at the systems and program level, including through the Standards Certification Training which more than 16,100 people have successfully completed nationwide.

Presenter:

  • LaDonna Collins, Senior Manager - Standards Training & Implementation, National Family Support Network 

  • Jennifer Johnson - Dungey, Administrative Manager - Standards Training & Implementation, National Family Support Network 

February 28, 2024

From Under the Radar to All the Rage: Family Resource Centers & FRC Networks
Webinar Link Materials Link
What are Family Resource Centers (FRCs) and how are they networked across the country?
What does research show about the positive outcomes FRCs have achieved for children and families? Why are so many public and private funders at the state, city, county, and community levels choosing to invest in FRCs? 

Presenter: 

  • Andrew Russo, Co-Founder & Director, National Family Support Network 

October 11, 2023

Developing Family Resource Center Networks: Where Do We Start?

Webinar Link • Materials Link

What are the steps for developing a Network of Family Resource Centers?

How can public and private funders and/or community-based organizations support families in their city, county, or state by developing a Network of Family Resource Centers? What resources are available to support the development of these Networks

Presenter: 

  • Andrew Russo, Co-Founder & Director, National Family Support Network 

  • Brenda McChesney, Co-Founder & Associate Director, National Family Support Network

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Webinar Wednesdays Library

Recordings and materials from previous Webinar Wednesdays are available.  Click on a category to explore them. 

 

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