Marion County
Family Resource & Support Network
Strong Families, Strong Community
S.A.F.E
(Supporting All Families Equally)
The Mission of the Marion County Family Resource and Support Network is to strengthen families and communities by promoting an environment where each family can find support and encouragement, feel safe and accepted while helping children and families reach their fullest potential through community-based planning and activities.
BUILDING STRONG FAMILIES AND STRONG COMMUNITIES IS WHAT WE DO!
Here at Marion County Family Resource & Support Network, we are driven by a single goal; to do our part in making the world a better place for all children & families in Marion County WV. We strive to build productive relationships and make a positive impact with all of our pursuits.
Family Resource Networks (FRNS) are local coalitions of people working to better meet the needs of children and families in their communities. West Virginia's Family Resource Networks are defined in WV STATE CODE UNDER §49-6C-2.
A Little Bit of History!
Family Resource Networks were born out of the Governor's Cabinet on Children and Families, which had been created by former Governor Gaston Caperton in 1990. The intended goals of these agencies were to share resources, build community capacity, and develop collaborative partnerships. The Cabinet wanted to take these same components and develop them at a community level, which was the inspiration behind the organization and implementation of FRNs in each county of the state.
The purpose of an FRN is to identify and address gaps and needs in their local communities while seeking solutions through collaboration and coordinated efforts. Since this time, FRNs have evolved as political shifts have occurred and organizational requirements have changed, which have presented challenges to the growth and development of FRNs over time. However, the very nature of an FRN, full of adaptability and resiliency, has enabled them to find solutions in tough times.
Marion County Family Resource Network
Ways We Help the Community
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Assessing Community Needs by:
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Conducting surveys throughout the community to identify current needs and opportunities and to find out where members of the community would be willing to commit their efforts.
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Collecting existing data to better inform ourselves and our partners about existing conditions in our community.
Planning by:
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Developing strategies and systems to address community needs.
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Helping other organizations learn and use strategic planning processes to reach their goals.
Providing Resources by:
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Conducting training and learning opportunities for the community.
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Pursuing funding sources to help sustain programs or to start programs that do not exist but are needed.
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Serving as a support system for community programs and services.
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Developing community resource guides to help connect community members to available programs and services while at the same time working to promote information sharing among social service providers.
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Working as a connector to available community services.
Community Organizing by:
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Helping develop groups to address community needs and working to strengthen community partnerships.
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Promoting various projects and programs that improve community culture
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Collaborating with local organizations so all can succeed.
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Encouraging non-profit and for-profit organizations, groups and individuals to work together as all are interconnected in the community.