| FamiliesFORWARD is Cincinnati United Way's first family resource center-a-neighborhood school-based program where social workers partner with families to identify community needs and establish lasting solutions. The success of FamiliesFORWARD began in 1993 with the establishment of a parent advisory board. This voluntary group of community residents worked with the staff of FamiliesFORWARD to implement feasible programs at one of Cincinnati Public School district's lowest achieving schools.
The parent advisory board recruited participants for FamiliesFORWARD giving both the board and the participants a high degree of ownership in the program. Through this partnership, six programs were established: - family involvement
- after school programs
- home-base intervention
- summer enrichment
- community events
- academic enrichment in music and arts
The six elements of FamiliesFORWARD combine for a powerful program that puts families back in charge of their lives.
Together with the children, parents, residents, and partnership building, families are improving their lives with greater employment opportunities, higher self-esteem, better parenting skills, and active involvement in the schools. The children have better social skills, better attendance, improved academic scores on the state proficiency test, and a higher increase in promotions.
FamiliesFORWARD works because it gives families the skills they need to identify and solve their own problems. They become better parents; children become better students; and, the community becomes a better place to live. The family is strengthened; the school is strengthened; and the community is strengthened.
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