Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
ACS Commissioner David Hansell
By Forum Staff
The City Administration for Children’s Services recently released its Request for Proposal to expand the “Family Enrichment Center” model from three sites to 12 sites in the coming year. Over the next three years, FECs will be expanded to a total of 30 sites. ACS is seeking local community-based providers, with deep ties to their communities, to run the new sites.
As part of the RFP, the new FEC locations are below.
Queens: Jamaica/Hollis/Queens Village, Rockaway/Broad Channel,
Brooklyn: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville
The Bronx: Mott Haven/Melrose, Parkchester/Soundview
Manhattan: Central Harlem, East Harlem
Staten Island: Stapleton/St. George
FECs, which were launched in 2017, are warm, home-like walk-in centers that are co-designed with local families and community members, so families and children can connect with neighbors, volunteer their time, and access resources and supports they need to thrive. These centers are administered by local community-based organizations. The new centers will be located in the hard-hit neighborhoods identified by the TRIE, based on their equity burdens and the impact of COVID-19.
The FECs work hand-in-hand with community members to provide concrete resources and other offerings responsive to their needs and interests. Families and communities determine the activities, events and offerings of FECs. These offerings are designed to support families and increase community connectedness. By providing families and children the resources they need, ACS aims to ultimately reduce the risks of involvement with the child protection system. Examples of programs offered at the FECs include: movie nights (for families to meet in a safe space and allow children to make new friends); a therapist-led Healing Through the Arts offering for families recovering from community violence; cultural activities; and Café con Amiga (Coffee with Friends) facilitated by Spanish speaking parent leaders to provide support to parents and caregivers. In particular, the FECs proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing critical supports to families in need, including food, clothing, and technology, as well as social supports to parents and caregivers. The FECs provide a welcoming, safe, and accessible home-like environment that is open to all, where neighbors can connect, contribute to their community, find resources, support one another, and build protective factors that help their families thrive.
FECs look to parents and the community for guidance and leadership. The cornerstone of FEC leadership is Community Leaders, who help design and lead FEC offerings Every FEC is required to engage Community Leaders as part of the model. Community Leaders are intended to represent the diversity of parents in the individual community and may include parents who have had lived experience with, and can provide guidance about, various public systems that participants may need to access, or in which they may be involved. They work closely with FEC staff and participate in training and technical assistance activities provided by ACS to build their skills, knowledge, and leadership.
A recent evaluation of the FECs showed that the Centers are having a positive impact on families. FEC members reported that the FECs were enhancing their social supports (from family, friends and neighbors), family functioning, emotional connection with their children, and outlook on life. Additionally, those surveyed reported significant increases in their access to advice and resources in addressing several life challenges, including parenting, financial issues, relationships, food and nutrition issues, and stress management. The report also said that FECs were having a positive effect on members’ access to concrete supports, which can help families better cope with stress, particularly in times of crisis.
