River Oak Center for Children: Caregiver Support Services at the Family Resource Center

The River Oak Family Resource Center offers a wide variety of classes, support groups,
playgroups, and community forums to help families overcome their challenges and raise
healthy, happy children. Currently, the Family Resource Center offers the following groups
and activities to families:

•   Infant Play & Grow and Preschool Play & Grow playgroups, where caregivers and children
    learn different play activities that promote child development and parent/child bonding.

•   Make Parenting a Pleasure, Make Parenting a Pleasure for Dads (also in Spanish) parenting
    classes that address issues faced by caregivers on a daily basis, such as handling stress
    positively, being a good listener, communication, safety, etc.

•   Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities parenting class, which focuses on
    helping caregivers express the cultural and moral beliefs, traditions, and values that are
    important to them in order to pass them on to their children. Caregivers are able to make a
    specific plan on how to teach children according to these guidelines by using different “rites of
    passage.”

•   DARE To Be You parenting class (in English and Spanish) helps parents develop a strong
    family support system, positive self-esteem, and a sense of personal responsibility and power
    that enables them to instill these values in their children. Through parent group activities and
    parent-child activities, the class promotes hope for the future and a positive outlook on life.

•   Parent Advisory Council, comprised of parents and caregivers who meet on a monthly basis
    to provide input into the Birth and Beyond Community Response Program and Family
    Resource Center activities.

•   Children of Promise Forum, comprised of parents, grandparents, foster parents, and other
    caregivers, meets monthly to discuss obesity and its effect on children.

•   Sisterhood Parenting/Support Class, where women gather to discuss life concerns with an
    emphasis on drug, alcohol, and parenting.

•   Stressbusters Class features a new stress-relieving focus each month and allows caregivers
    to take a timeout from their “baby life.”

•   Alcoholics Anonymous group for Spanish speaking men.

•   Basic English class for Spanish speakers, which also provides an excellent opportunity for
    English speakers to learn basic Spanish words and phrases.

•   Computer training provided on Friday evenings is available to families, children, youth, and
    teens who seek help with computer skills. Computers at the Family Resource Center are
    always open for use during business hours.

•   Morning Stretch exercise class designed for non-pregnant women who enjoy movement that
    enhances alignment, balance, and flexibility, with a combination of dance and stretching
    moves.

•   Annual Fall Fun Festival and Health Fair in October of every year features community partners
    distributing free information on health resources available to local families. Families are
    treated to pizza, salad, ice cream sundaes, face painting, games, crafts, and small pumpkins
    to take home.