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FamilyNet began in the year 2000 with a TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) Block Grant from the State Division of Social Services. At that time, the process was focused on building a model of collaboration between the TANF and Work First Programs at local departments of social services, and was originally named the “TANF/Child Welfare Collaborative.” Three counties in North Carolina were selected to pilot the process and helped in designing the original process, crafting the vision and mission statements, as well as identifying and defining the outcomes that would lead local departments to be successful in developing communities where families achieve well-being.
The pilot counties quickly began to realize that a collaboration model for two programs held promise for creating and developing entire agencies where programs that have been historically separate and apart could work together to provide better service to families, to each other, and to their communities.
The cornerstone of the FamilyNet process is the two-day dialogue event where representatives from across the agency (including all programs and levels of positions) come together to identify how their system currently achieves the outcomes of the project, how it could better achieve the outcomes, and what the steps, strategies and action plans for improvement are. The event focuses not just on what needs to be done, but also focuses on building the foundation of effective practice. This foundation is built throughout the two-days on the strengths of an agency and staff, their successes, and their abilities to change and grow. Principles such as Family-Centered Practice, and values such as respect are significant building blocks of this foundation, and individuals are asked to model these principles in all that they do.
For five years, FamilyNet has defined a new way of doing business for local county departments of social services. Partnerships within and across agencies, with families, and with community are the keys to success. Improving communication about families, programs, and resources can help create more comprehensive services and facilitate a focus on prevention. Establishing a unifying vision and mission for an agency’s work helps staff in all program areas understand how they work together toward a common goal. Though there is much work to be done, the payoff in stronger, safer, more prosperous families and individuals is priceless.
For more information about the current evolution of FamilyNet, and details of the work-plan for Nexus, click here. |
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The Story of FamilyNet |
