Families First Resource Center

Services in Hancock County

* Case Management
* Child Victim Support (VOCA)
* Family Resource Library
* High Risk Youth/ Teen Mentor Program
* Life Skills
* Supervised Visitation

The Families First Resource Center

The Families First Resource Center was established to provide families, schools, and communities with education, emotional support, and resources to promote healthy family functioning while attempting to prevent child abuse and neglect. All of the programs are offered at no charge, and are designed to offer help and guidance while strengthening the family. We realize that parenting is a very difficult, but also most rewarding task in an individual's life. Thus, the Center is available to assist parents along their journey of rearing happy and healthy children. Services offered free of charge through the Families First Resource Center include:

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Case Management Services are provided to families requiring assistance with parenting skills, child development, health/nutrition, household management, and community resources (housing, transportation, etc.) in order to improve family functioning. These services are provided at home to allow the Parent Aide to work closely with the whole family and to guide and assist parents with actual day-to-day situations.
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Numerous educational classes and training are offered in each county to the public throughout the year. Those classes consist of Anger Management, Parenting, Transparenting, Life Skills, and Foster Adoptive Training. A certificate of completion is provided upon completion of the course. Certain fees apply to court/attorney ordered referrals. Please call for more information.
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The Family Resource Library is available to all families, schools, and community agencies, and provides books, videotapes, equipment, and brochures that offer education and information on many family and child issues as well as local resources. The library also has books, equipment, and toys for disabled children which are available to the community at the Toy Library Center located on the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Campus.
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Tutoring and mentoring programs addressing academic and behavioral difficulties are available to all students enrolled in the Harrison County School District and are offered after school from October through May. Parents are also welcomed to attend monthly meetings offered by the Harrison County School District through the Practical Partnerships Program to gain more parenting information.
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Referral and information services are offered to families, schools, and the community through the Harrison County FFRC Resource Directory, which is regularly updated to include all community resources and agencies. The Center also has staff and trained volunteers available to provide information and to link individuals and families with community resources.
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The Interagency Council is a group of community agency representatives who meet quarterly to network and exchange information and expertise regarding local and state-wide topics relating to healthy family functioning. During these meetings, the representatives learn new and better ways to help the community and its families.

If you would like further information about these programs, please call (228)868-9586.

Services Offered in Harrison County:

* Case Management
* Court Accompaniment
* Court School
* Fatherhood Iniative
* Family Resource Library
* Forensic Interviews
* High Risk Youth/Teen Mentor Program
* Life Skills
* Project Homestead
* Supervised Visitation

STATEWIDE DIRECTORY: (address & Phone number)
http://www.mfcf.org/pdf/familyfirstcenters.pdf