To commemorate 15 years of partnership with the community, Family Services Center invites the public to an open house celebration on November 15th from 2-4 p.m. The event will be held in Brownwood at the Family Services Center – 901 Avenue B. Those instrumental in the creation of the center will be on hand to share stories and special memories about its inception. The Center’s Board of Directors and staff encourage everyone touched by the Center to join in on the celebration.
Over fifteen years ago, a dedicated group of community leaders, volunteers and agency representatives met to address community needs and find a way to speak out on behalf of families and children. It was then its “one-stop-shop” was conceptualized. Soon after, the Center became incorporated and gained a 501(c) (3) status. A grant awarded by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, now known as the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services allowed the Center the opportunity to begin serving families. LaNita Richmond the Executive Director of Brownwood’s Chamber of Commerce at that time was the key author of the grant proposal.
Family Services Center has held firm to its original mission: “To strengthen individuals, children, and families through professional counseling, education, advocacy, supportive services and collaboration.” It has also maintained its one-stop-shop model and stressed collaboration with others as essential parts of its charge. Building upon its rich history, the Center continues its efforts of meeting ongoing and unmet needs of the community by making mental health and social services available, affordable, and accessible. With tremendous support from the community the Center has grown from a newly incorporated agency to a recognized community leader of social services and collaboration.
Current programs provided by the Center include: Information and Referral Services, Counseling, Parenting Education, Anger Management, Child-Care, Mediation (Alternative Dispute Resolution), Resource Coordination, Literacy, Tutoring, Access and Visitation Services and a Batterer’s Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP).
Agencies currently located in the FSC building include: The American Red Cross (Pecan Valley Chapter), The ARC, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Family Services Center, Girl Scouts of Central Texas, Mid-Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Brownwood Al-Anon Family Groups, Brown County Home Solutions, Adult Basic Education (GED Prep) and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs supported through Howard College.
Family Services Center received the 2011 Best Implementation of Parenting Wisely.
Parenting Wisely developer, Don Gordon, the program’s developer visited the FSC facility, evaluated their Parenting Wisely program and awarded them with the “2011 Best Implementation of Parenting Wisely.” He described the program as “a national model of how the program should be implemented.” In a letter to the Center administrator he states, “The (FSC) staff has marketed and implemented the program robustly with creativity and professionalism.”
Incorporators who signed the Article of Incorporation included Tully Hair, LaNita Richmond, and Carter Sharpe.
Others involved as original Board of Directors: Jim Sutton, James Williams, Dr. Don Scott, Bob Brincefield, Fred Kelly, Jerry Ramirez, Georgia Allen, Steve Adams, and Ghasem Nahvipour.
