Family Empowerment Center

Family Empowerment Centers (FEC) are community based prevention hubs that provide time limited engagement and support to children and families at risk of formal child welfare involvement. These hubs specifically cater to the needs of families referred by DHS.

Acknowledging the fact that families are best served close to home with a community oriented, culturally relevant, and comprehensive approach – the Family Empowerment Center will combine the expertise of specialized social workers with a risk-based tier process so that each family can be served based on immediate needs that will assist with stabilizing and creating long term community linkages.

The Family Empowerment Centers utilize a public health design for the delivery of evidence based practices that focus on secondary and tertiary prevention approaches through home visiting and case management services.

The goal of the Family Empowerment Centers is to divert families from entering into formal child welfare services. They are designed to enhance the strength and stability of families; to increase parent confidence and skills in their child-rearing abilities; and to afford children a stable and supportive family environment.

Contact

Doris Acevedo, Director of Prevention Services | Email: acevedod@congreso.net | Phone: 267-970-7144 

Sandra Alvarez, Program Manager | Email: alvarezs@congreso.net | Phone: 267-836-5314

Program Services

  • Strength and needs assessment
  • Identifying and implementing problem-solving interventions
  • When appropriate, arranges, coordinates, monitors, evaluates, and advocates for services to meet the family’s needs.

Eligibility Requirements

  • There must be children under the age of 18 living in the home.
  • There must be no active cases with the Department of Human Services.
  • Families should not be presently receiving other case management services in the home.
  • Cases are referred directly from DHS.
  • While not an open referral program, cases can be consulted to determine eligibility.

Downloadable Documents

Helpful Links

Department of Human Services