!!!!! BREAKING NEWS !!!!!
10th Annual Salute to Families Lecture Series
Presents "Heroes in Our Midst"
Sunday March 4, Converse Hall, Amherst College
Featuring:
Dan Slott, Head Writer for Marvel's Amazing Spider-Man comic book series
Sarah Kinney, Writer for Nancy Drew graphic novels and 175 Disney comics
Jack Purcell, Freelance Comic Artist who has worked for Disney, Marvel and DC Comics
A reception and book signing will follow the program.
For more information and a COOL POSTER, click on the Spiderman image above drawn by 12-year old Adam Abley.
Family Outreach of Amherst supports and assists the most vulnerable members of our community by working with families who struggle with mental health, trauma, medical, substance abuse, and life skills issues. We believe that although our clients struggle with these issues, they are still experts in their own lives. By providing advocacy and case management support, FOA not only ensures that families receive services so that their basic needs are met, but we also help families identify ways to make their lives better.
Crisis Intervention: FOA is often the first outside assistance contacted when a family faces a crisis and will ensure that the family gets the additional assistance required.
Case Management: FOA caseworkers provide ongoing weekly support to families struggling with isolation, mental health issues, substance abuse and domestic violence. Services include identifying, accessing and securing financial benefits, transportation to doctors' offices and other appointments, life skills counseling, housing advocacy, parenting support, and accessing proper health care. FOA works with local schools, police, area physicians and therapists, and other helping agencies to be sure that families receive the support they need.
Advocacy: FOA provides short term assistance on specific issues such as mediation with a landlord or a utility company, access to childcare and assistance with health emergencies.
Information and Referrals: FOA responds to calls from families seeking help from resources within our community. A caseworker assesses the caller's needs and then makes referrals to appropriate community agencies.
Home Visiting: Our home visiting program serves over 100 low-income families in the Amherst area each year, providing advocacy, case management and crisis intervention. Home visiting also succeeds with the following services: stabilizing families in crisis; supporting families struggling with life skills; helping with issues surrounding parenting, budgeting and conflict resolution; and helping parents access services so that they may create healthier, happier lives for themselves and their children.
Echo Village Project: In the fall of 2008, FOA instituted a weekly Homework Club for the residents of Amherst’s Echo Village Apartment Complex in an effort to provide children with a safe and welcoming place to study. Since that time, FOA has expanded its services and operates a satellite office out of the complex. FOA provides ongoing advocacy, support and community programming to the families who live there.
Therapeutic Mentoring: FOA Therapeutic Mentors provide support and coaching in learning social skills to children with behavioral health needs who are covered by Mass Health. Mentors work one-on-one with children in their homes or other community settings, coaching each child in age-appropriate behavior, interpersonal communication, problem solving, conflict resolution and relating appropriately to other youths and adults.