Family Support

Seattle Family Centers

Seattle "family centers" operated by different community agencies form a network of places where families can go to get connected, grow friendships and build a sense of community. Family centers are created around the simple idea that when people need help, they should be able to get it, from people who respect them and understand their culture. The philosophy of family support in family centers is built upon Family Support Principles.

The primary goal of family centers is to promote healthy families and strengthen adults in their roles as parents, nurturers and providers. Family centers increase or improve:

• Self-determination and resourcefulness
• Community safety and livability
• Parent-child relationships
• Childhood early learning and school success
• Civic participation

Seattle's family centers work with other agencies and programs to offer many social, educational, and recreational activities for families. Activities are held both at the family center and off-site with partnering agencies. Some family centers offer activities in languages other than English. Centers develop their own specific activities to meet the interest and needs of their community, but all family centers offer the following core services:

• Parent Education / Support
• Parent-child play groups and family activities
• Family involvement and schools
• Life skills training (such as English as a Second Language, literacy, computer classes, CPR, family finances, resume preparation and health information)
• Drop-in time (provides parents opportunity to spend time with staff and other parents)
• Information, referral and advocacy services
• Resources such as clothing, food, bus coupons and back-to-school supplies

Some family centers offer the following additional services:

• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Children/youth programs
• Family advocacy

Family centers connect more than 4,000 families to the people, places and programs they need each year. They offer activities to support all family members, other parents to talk to who have similar concerns, and staff and volunteers who care about what happens to families in our community. There is no eligibility requirement or charge for participation – all families are welcome, regardless of economic, education, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Most participating families have children or care for children and youth up to age 18.

Each family center offers a different blend of activities. Check out the familly center websites below to find out what they each offer. Or, call or stop in to request a calendar of coming events and activities. For information about teen parent support, click here

The City of Seattle has been funding family centers for many years. Many family centers receive funding and operational support from a variety of other sources. Allocations to the nonprofit, community-based organizations operating Seattle Family Centers are determined through a competitive process that is conducted by the Seattle Human Services Department at least once every four years. Continued funding during funding cycles depends upon program performance and funding availability. The current funding cycle ends on December 31, 2011. In 2008, the funding allocation for family centers in Seattle is approximately $1,369,895.

2008 Funded Agencies and Programs

View the map showing where Seattle Family Centers are located.

• FamilyWorks Resource Center
• High Point Family Center
• International Family Center
• NewHolly Youth and Family Center
• North Seattle Family Center
• Rainier Beach Family Center
• Southwest Family Center

Information

For more information about Seattle Human Services Department-funded services for children and families, call 206-684-8852 or e-mail childrenandfamilies@seattle.gov.

For information about our partners and related programs, contact the agencies listed above or the 2-1-1 Community Information Line by dialing 211 or 1-800-621-4636.

Links

• Current Funding Opportunities
• News