Family Services / Intervention and Prevention Program
The crisis-counseling program provides immediate, accessible, short-term behavioral health counseling services and facilitates referrals into the mental health system. In addition, the program serves as a prevention mechanism which educates the community on issues related to, but not limited to substance abuse, domestic violence, marital and family relationships, sexual abuse, and depression with the intent to prevent and reduce involvement in the justice system, child protective service, or the behavioral health system.
Priorities of Family Services / Intervention and Prevention embody:
• Crisis Counseling
• Individual, Family & Group Counseling
• Home-Based Counseling Services
• Prevention Programs
• Substance Abuse Education & Prevention
• Behavioral Health Information & Referral
Parenting
The Family Support Program is designed to strengthen families through educating parents in appropriate, non-violent parenting techniques. The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Children Youth and Families, and Child Protection Services primarily refer the families to Friendly House. Referrals are also received through Probation Officers, and other community agencies such as local schools, hospitals, and self-referrals. All services are provided in English and Spanish .
Priorities of the Parenting Education embody:
• Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention
• Parenting Skills Training
• In-Home Support
Youth Services
One of the most critical issues facing youth today is the high dropout rate, especially among Latino youth. The Youth Services programs at Friendly House work to address this critical issue to ensure our youth have the opportunities that a quality education affords.
Our Early Childhood Development Center provides quality daycare for children from six weeks to five years. The cognitive, social/emotional and physical needs of the children are developed through age-appropriate activities. The program is licensed through the Arizona Department of Health Services and is a contracted childcare provider with the Arizona Department of Economic Security. The program maintains a partnership with the City of Phoenix Head Start program. The program serves to prepare children to enter kindergarten.
Our After School Program works with students enrolled in our charter school, Academia del Pueblo, providing tutoring, mentoring, cultural enrichment activities, Boy scouts/Girl Scouts, and a Math and Science Camp during the summer months. Recreational and character development activities are also provided to prepare students to be successful and stay in school.
Friendly House also provides services to children and their families from 6th through 12th grades through our Educational Talent Search Program. This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and works to keep kids in school and assists them enroll into college. The program targets students who are first generation in their families to attend college.
With the increasing enrollment of Hispanic youth in our schools, the high dropout rate among this population threatens the well-being of our community. It is critical to ensure our children are staying in school and going on for higher education, not only for their sake, but for the benefit of the entire community. From the Early Childcare Services to enrolling children in college, Friendly House Youth Services works to provide the support, skills, and resources necessary so kids will be successful.
For more information about our Youth Services, please contact Rita Santa Maria at 602-257-1870, ext.
253.
Social Services
Friendly House Social Services assist individuals and families to access needed services. During an intake interview, the social service workers assess and evaluate the individual's or family's particular issues.
The Social Service worker along with the individual and or family determine, based on guidelines established at Friendly House, what resources are available in-house or through other community agencies. As a result of this process, the family is educated about resources available and how to access those resources when necessary, thus empowering them to maintain self-sufficiency.
Priorities of Neighborhood Development Social Services embody:
• Advocacy
• Emergency Assistance
• Food Boxes
Holiday Blues and Stress
For many people the Holiday Season is a time of self-evaluation, loneliness, reflection on past failures, and anxiety about an uncertain future. What Causes The Holiday Blues?
Many things, including: stress, fatigue, unrealistic expectations, over-commercialization, financial constraints, and not being able to be with one's family and friends. The demands of over planning (shopping, parties, family reunions, and house guests) contribute to feelings of tension. People who do not become depressed may develop other stress responses, such as: headaches, excessive drinking, over-eating, and difficulty sleeping. For more information contact counseling notes or the National Mental Health Association
Useful Links:
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Domestic Violence
Counseling Notes
National Mental Health Association
Child Protective Services (CPS)
AZ Department of Economic Security
US Department of Health and Human Services / ACYF
Arizona Children's Association
Community Information & Referral
St. Mary's Food Bank
Salvation Army
American Red Cross
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Copyright © 2005 Friendly House, Inc. All rights reserved.
