Introduction
Overview
Family Success Centres were established in Newark in 2007. The establishments aimed to help needy persons, families, and communities. To achieve these goals, the centers ensure there is a proper exchange of knowledge, skills, and resources. In addition, the facilities foster strong relations between members of staff and the needy (Tuttle, 2009).
The objective of this is to achieve a common goal that is beneficial to all. Children and family departments in Newark acknowledge this body of research, which has shaped national support groups for a period of over two and a half decades.
Purpose of Research Project
The purpose of this project is to enlighten employees of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency about the services offered to clients in all Family Success Centres across Newark.
Mission Statement
DCF will guarantee the safety, wellbeing, and success of families in New Jersey. To achieve this goal, the group will work together with all the communities within the state.
Purpose of the Resource Guide
The Resource Guide is intended to provide the DCP&P workers and clients with the contact details of every Family Success Centre based in Newark.
Presentation
In addition, a presentation of one of the monthly meetings will be made to all members of staff in Newark’s local office. The employees will be provided with information about the location of all Success Centres in the area. In addition, they will be made aware of the services provided to clients.
Once the presentation is over, an assessment of the workers will be conducted. The main aim of this evaluation will be to test their receptiveness in relation to the use of the services offered in Family Centres. In addition, the impact of the institutions on needy families will be analyzed.
Profile of Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the biggest city in the state of New Jersey. In 2012, its population was 277,727. Since 2000, the population has been growing at a rate of 1.5% per annum (Shelley, 2014). The number of males is 138,289 or 49.8% of the total population. On their part, females are 139,438, which is equivalent to 50.2% of the residents.
The median age of residents is 32.4 years. The figure is very low compared to that in New Jersey, which stands at 39.0 (Shelley, 2014). The estimated household income as of 2012 was $31,293. In 2000, the figure was $26,913. The results show a slight growth within a long period of time. Estimated capital income is $15,112. Also, the median house value in the state is $225,100 with a gross rent of $927 (Shelley, 2014).
Newark has various ethnic groups. Blacks make up the majority with a population of 132,936 or 47.9% of the residents (Tuttle, 2009). Hispanics are 97,692 (35.2%), whites 30,203, Asians 5,764, and other races 5,410. Two more races are made up of 4,533 individuals, while American Indians are 748. Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander groups are the minorities. The two have a population of 432 [0.2%] (Neelamegam, 2014).
In 2012, statistics showed that the percentage of Newark residents languishing in poverty was 30.4. The average size of each ha ousehold is 2.8 persons. The number of unemployed persons stands at 18.6% of the population (Shelley, 2014).
Profile of Family Success Centre’s Main Office in Newark, New Jersey
There are 37 Family Success Centres across the state (Pecora, 2010). The institutions are run by 11 organizations based in Newark. They work together to meet the common goal of helping needy families in the area. The main office is located at 755 Frelinghuysen Avenue. It operates daily from Monday to Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM.
The budget for the Family Success Centre is raised from the groups’ fund and contributions from key partners responsible for the operations of the institutions (Pecora, 2010). The groups include Against All Odds Foundation, ASPIRA, Baby Land Family Services, FOCUS, Newark Now, Ironbound Community Corporation, and the Salvation Army.
Other bodies include La Casa de Don Pedro, North Ward Centre, New Community, and Newark Emergency Services for Families. The key partners are the city of Newark, State of New Jersey, Nicholson Foundation, County of Essex, and Victoria Foundation (Tuttle, 2009).
Program participation entails the provision of such services as family support. Others entail support for victims of domestic violence. The program also provides early childhood and school-linked services. In addition, there are various program referrals from the Newark South Local Office. They include financial, child and family services, employment, health care, domestic abuse, and general assistance.
Outline of Services Provided by Various Family Success Centres
List of School Programs and Contact Information
Newark has various learning institutions offering different programs. There are 56 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 14 high schools, and 14 grade and grammar schools (Freymond & Cameron, 2006). In addition, the state has five institutions of higher education. All these facilities offer assistance to adults and teenagers interested in education.
Elementary, middle, high school, grade, and grammar schools offer such programs as math, science, arts, humanities, and academic prep. Higher education institutions provide full and part-time courses in various fields, such as law and medicine (Tuttle, 2009).
Alternative and Adult Learning Programs
There are various alternative and adult learning schools and programs offered in Newark, New Jersey. They include Acceleration Academies, GED, Newark Leadership Academy, Reengaging Youth Network, Gateway to College, and Reengagement Centre (Neelamegam, 2014). Most of the programs deal with applicants who are 17 years old and above. Students seeking to re-enroll are asked to meet school counselors to determine whether or not they can catch up with the others.
A program like Acceleration Academics enables adult students to get back to the level they were in before dropping out of school (Pecora, 2010). Also, they create a platform for personalized instruction and services.
Housing assistance
In Newark city, various Family Success Centres offer different forms of housing assistance. Newark Emergency Services for Families provide direct assistance to homeless individuals with low incomes. The homeless Drop-In Centres provide safe and nurturing environments for the needy.
The clients are fed and provided with facilities to wash their clothes and take showers (Neelamegam, 2014). Furthermore, the facilities create a platform for a security deposit, affordable housing, and real estate development. Other programs provided by Family Success Centres in Newark include foreclosing prevention, counseling, and business assistance.
Utility Assistance
Family Success Centres in Newark offer Home Energy Assistance Programs (HEAP). They assist senior eligible citizens to pay their electricity bills and purchase air conditioners (Tuttle, 2009). However, to be eligible for aid, one must meet the limit set in the federal poverty guidelines. The centers also help operate the winter crisis program. They do so by offering assistance to senior citizens once in every heating season.
Day Care
The Family Success Centres offer day care services to children between the ages of 21/2 to 5 years. After school programs are for students aged 6 to 13 years (Neelamegam, 2014). They include field trips, recreational activities, and movies. Child care and early childhood courses include language, math, social studies, and creative arts. On the other hand, summer enrichment activities include acting, sports, and camping.
Immigration Services
The Immigrants Rights Program in Newark is intended to come up with policies that are just and fair to all immigrants. In addition, it offers legal services to individuals and families in detention and deportation (Tuttle, 2009). Employees at Family Success Centres provide clients with education services, which include Spanish and English courses. Through such programs, they help the immigrants to answer verbal and written tests during naturalization procedures.
Social Service Organisations
Only the neediest families and individuals are eligible for assistance from Family Success Centres. A referral to outside agencies involves a specific process. The applicants are required to fill registration forms that can be accessed from various success centers across the city (Pecora, 2010). The individuals are then interviewed and assessed. The aim is to determine their eligibility and need for a referral.
Question and Answers Session
Once the presentation process is over, the employees and clients will be allowed to take part in a question and answer session. The Family Success Centre staff will then conduct a survey. The reviews will be collected and stored in an envelope. Once the entire process is complete, the principal investigator will appreciate the efforts of all participants.
Conclusion
Family Success Centres in Newark, New Jersey, were formed to improve the welfare of families and individuals living in poverty. They equip these groups with the tools and resources needed to lead a better life. The guidance provided to clients helps them a lot. They enable them to obtain relevant information related to the Success Centres.
References
Freymond, N., & Cameron, G. (2006). Towards positive systems of child and family welfare: International comparisons of child protection, family service, and community caring systems. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Neelamegam, V. (2014). Poverty eradication and self help groups. New Delhi: A.P.H. Pub.
Pecora, P. (2010). Strategic supervision: A brief guide for managing social service organisations. Los Angeles: Sage.
Shelley, F. (2014). The world’s population. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO.
Tuttle, B. (2009). How Newark became Newark: The rise, fall, and rebirth of an American city. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rivergate Books.