About UHD Center for Family Strengths

Mission

The mission of the Center for Family Strengths is to support families by informing community-based services that promote and sustain family systems. The Center for Family Strengths facilitates family, worker, supervisor and agency training; promotes research and evaluation; and disseminates information for best practices that support family centered practice. Objectives:

1. The CFS will provide training opportunities for those committed to providing services that seek to prevent child and adult maltreatment and promote healthy families.
2. The CFS will serve as a clearinghouse for the dissemination or research and best practices in family services.
3. The CFS will function as a support unit for faculty research, program evaluation and technical assistance in the areas of family support and family centered program design and practice.

The Center will:

• conduct at least one state-wide or regional training symposium annually for family preservation and prevention service workers and supervisors;
• maintain a website to disseminate information on best practices for family centered and support services;
• edit and publish a journal focused on family centered and support services;
• offer at least one training session annually for local and regional family-based service workers and supervisors; and
• provide administrative support for at least one grant-writing project for faculty and/or family experts pursuing grants for research and development in family centered, family preservation, or wraparound services

Structure and Administration

The CFS is a non-profit organization which engages in educational and research activities. The CFS is designed to be interdisciplinary and support training and research in a wide variety of disciplines. Faculty throughout the university with an interest in the CFS's activities are invited to participate along with family experts (consumers) and agencies serving families. The CFS is housed within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Houston-Downtown. The Director of the Center is appointed by the BSW Program Director in consultation with the Center's Advisory Board, Social Sciences Department Chair, Dean of the College, Provost, and President of UHD.

Advisory Board

The CFS staff will convene an Advisory Board of local, statewide and national leaders in family services. The Board is comprised of approximately 20 members, with equal representation from faculty, family experts and agency members reflecting the diversity of the community. Initial Board membership will be through appointment by the CFS's Director in consultation with BSW Program Director. Subsequent Board membership will be through recruitment by the Center's Director, with the approval of a majority of the Board members. Board members will serve three year terms which are renewable. Expectations for board membership include active participation in CFS activities, recruitment of resources to support the CFS's work, and attendance at board meetings. The board will meet at least bi-annually and will promote CFS activities, conduct strategic planning activities, and advise CFS staff on processes to ensure successful attainment of the CFS's objectives.

Areas of support:

Family Preservation Services

Family Support Services

Family Based Services

Child Welfare Services

Mental Health/Wraparound Services

Developmental Disabilities Substance Abuse

Juvenile Justice

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Last updated or reviewed on 12/7/10