AGENCY TESTIMONY
Community partnerships and Family Enrichment Centers (FECs)
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105 sec
Commissioner Dannhauser describes ACS's community partnerships and the expansion of Family Enrichment Centers (FECs) across New York City. These initiatives aim to provide localized, community-driven support for families.
- 11 community partnerships serve as coalitions of multisector stakeholders
- ACS is expanding from 3 to 30 FECs, with 29 contracts currently in place
- FECs are co-designed with families and community members to meet local needs
Jess Dannhauser
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Since 2007, we have supported 11 community partnerships throughout the city.
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The community partnerships serve as coalitions of multisector stakeholders, including service providers, public agencies, community organizations, community leaders, and residents.
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Partnership efforts are shaped by community members and local community based organization represent representatives in each neighborhood.
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Recent efforts have included Know Your Rights seminars, collaboration with New York City Public Schools to host education forums on relevant topics for parents, classes to support parent child bonding, summer engagement of youth and entrepreneurship classes, application support for child care assistance, and referrals to services and concrete supports.
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As you know, ACS also supports family enrichment centers, which are warm, inviting walk in spaces for families.
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In 2021, ACS announced a plan to expand from 3 to 30 FECs.
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There are currently contracts for 29, which are in various stages of implementation.
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Some have been open and operating for several years.
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Others are in the start up phase working to hire and train staff, engage community members to design and renovate their sites, conduct outreach, and provide in person and virtual offerings through partnerships with community organizations and leaders.
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We expect to announce the award for the 30th and final site in the next few months.
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The FECs promote family strengthening protective factors like social connections, parental resilience, and access to concrete supports that help families pursue their dreams and weather hard times.
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Everything about each FEC, including the name, physical layout, and offerings provided are co designed with families and community members.
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Providers with deep ties to their communities were selected to operate the FECs.
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Notably, FECs do not require families to close any identifying information, including any information about child welfare involvement.
