Oklahoma Family Support Network (OFSN)Family Resource Centers: Strengthening Oklahoma Families (updated 12/2019)

“Family Resource Centers” is a unifying concept and mechanism/hub to coordinate social services in priority zip codes in Oklahoma. Family resource centers are community-based flexible, family-focused, and culturally sensitive facilities that provide programs and services based on the needs of the families. Family resource centers, sometimes called family support centers, family centers, parent-child resource centers, family resource schools, or parent education centers, serve diverse populations and are located in a variety of community settings, including churches, school buildings, hospitals, housing projects, restored buildings, or new structures. Family resource centers promote both the strengthening of families through formal and informal support and the restoration of a strong sense of community. Resources include State and local examples. Services may include:

Parent skill training Drop-in centers Home visiting Job training Substance abuse prevention Violence prevention Services for children with special needs

Mental health or family counseling Childcare Literacy Respite and crisis care services Assistance with basic economic needs Housing

More info on Family Resource Centers:

https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/prevention-programs/familyresource/

Oklahoma Survey: https://osdhcfhs.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b7bgWehwWuAqndz

Oklahoma Training: Oklahoma Family Support Network (OFSN)January 14, 2020 08:30am to 05:00pm: Tulsa, OK https://pay.apps.ok.gov/triton/modules/registration/register.php?event_seq=123963&calendar_seq=32

Title: Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening Training Description: Participants from Programs are highly encouraged to come as teams with Executive Directors, Managers, Coordinators, and Direct Service Staff, as each has a key role to play in implementing the Standards effectively. Participants who complete the full session will receive a certificate from the National Family Support Network that is valid for two years.Start:01-14-2020 08:30amEnd:01-14-2020 05:00pmContact: Lisa Williams Email: lisaw@health.ok.gov Phone: 405-271-7611Location: OSU Tulsa - North Hall, 700 N. Greenwood - B.S. Roberts, Tulsa, OK 74106

Data Example: Oklahoma County

As OKC neighborhoods improve, the services can adapt based on the needs of the families. Commissions could provide oversight and facilitate layering funding. Outcomes would include a reduction in crime, incarceration, child neglect, etc.

Sunbeam Family Services, Community Action Agency, Latino Community Development Agency, Urban League, Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, and local churches have some of these services, so it would not be a stretch to add some additional family support group programming and partner with other agencies. OKCPS Schools would also be an important partner, since it makes sense to have FRCs on-site or near schools. It could also align with helping to fund Embrace OKC - OKCPS Mental Health Plan. OKC Play Initiative as well as Family Justice Center would fit into the continuum of services.

Various Levels of Need in Oklahoma City:As revealed through data analysis, there are specific pockets of high need in several neighborhoods in Oklahoma City. In fact, Exhibit 1 highlights five zip codes with some of the highest concentrations of poverty in the state, where over 50% of families with children under age 5 years old living below poverty level (73114, 73111, 73117, 73108, 73129). These zip codes have at least 500 children, where a family resource center would be highly utilized and efficient use of resources.

Exhibit 1: Highest Concentrations of Multi-Generational Poverty in Oklahoma County

Possible Tiers of Funding based on Need:Tier 1: 73108, 73111,73114, 73117, 73129, 73149, (plus 73119 and 73127 due to child maltreatment)

Tier 2: 73106, 73107, 73109, 73119, 73135, 73139,

Tier 3: 73008, 73110, 73112, 73115, 73118, 73120, 73122, 73132, 73045, 73159

As we know, poverty does not paint the full picture. Exhibit 2 highlights referrals to the Department of Human Services (DHS) by zip code with a high concentration of child maltreatment (shown as dark purple dots in zip codes: 73114, 73111, 73108, 73109, 73119, 73129, 73127). 81% of DHS substantiated cases of child maltreatment are due to neglect and 83% of those cases are due to the parents having a substance use disorder. This shows the need for mental health, substance use treatment, and family strengthening programs to be offered in these family resource centers.

Exhibit 2: DHS Referrals by Zip Code

Many families would benefit from community supports and programs before the children are removed from the home. As trust builds in the community, families will see these services and programs as opportunities to increase stability and become productive and thriving residents.

Exhibit 3: Target Population. Of the 11,000 reports of child maltreatment in Oklahoma County, 23% (2610 children) are substantiated or confirmed cases requiring government intervention.

Infrastructure:

In addition to a shiny/fun project, it will be very important for MAPS 4 to help with the physical infrastructure for social services. Specifically, it could help with new infrastructure or enhancing existing infrastructure for “Family Resource Centers” using a sliding scale based on need. (Priority Zip Codes would be high concentrations of poverty/incarceration/child neglect/homelessness). These FRCs could have a continuum of services. Some could have recreational services with some family support programs and counseling, while others would have more intensive services, like Palomar’s Family Justice Center.

Possible Tiers of Funding based on Need:Tier 1: 73108, 73111,73114, 73117, 73129, 73149, (plus 73119, 73127 due to child maltreatment)

Tier 2: 73106, 73107, 73109, 73135, 73139,

Tier 3: 73008, 73110, 73112, 73115, 73118, 73120, 73122, 73132, 73159

Possible Expansion of Services/Operations:

Organizations, who already have existing neighborhood trust and support, could partner with complimenting organizations to bid on operating these FRCs prior to being approved to improve building. In addition, organizations can contract with licensed treatment providers to facilitate programs within the FRCs. Layering funding streams will be important to coordinate. To address the needs for expansion of operations especially in high priority zip codes, Pay for Success contracts between local private equity groups and government agencies could help with upfront capital to expand mental health/family treatment programs. A state agency, like OKDHS, ODMHSAS, or Dept of Health, could sub-contract with nonprofits to help with specific operations and two-generational evidence-based programming. State agencies could then pay investors back annually (5-7 year term) based on dollars saved with “days reduced in foster care” and “days reduced in jail”, etc.

Ongoing Operations:

Dollars saved over the course of the 5-7 year Pay for Success/Pay for Performance contract could be pooled into a fund. The government agencies can “cost-shift” dollars saved on foster care and incarceration to fund these “upstream” family treatment and family support programs before the family falls apart at these “Family Resource Centers”. After October 2020, the federal Family First Prevention Services Act could also help reimburse 50% of programming.

*Note: These above ideas aim to start meaningful and thoughtful discussions around strengthening OKC families. The adaptability and scalability of this concept may be appealing and help unify and coordinate efforts at the neighborhood level.