Family Central, Inc

Invitation to Bid and specifications may be obtained M-F, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, from sponsoring
organization, Family Central, Inc.’s, Child Care Food Program, which is located at 819 NE 26th Street,
Wilton Manors, FL 33305 (please go to reception in Building B) or by contacting Michelle Rosegreen
at (954) 724-4060. Bids will be opened at the above address on August 13, 2024 at 10:00 AM.
Please note: Our offices will be closed for Staff Professional Development on 8/9/2024.

After the Civil War ended, the enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, received word they were liberated by Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. This day was June 19th, 1865. Every year since 1866, Juneteenth has been celebrated as a commemoration of the end of slavery in the US.

Let us honor this significant day by reflecting on our shared history and our commitment to continued growth and equality for all.

🔄 Feel free to share this post to help spread awareness.

Our offices are closed in observance of Juneteenth.

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Last Friday, in a beautiful ceremony, we celebrated 28 graduates of the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) Palm Beach Program!

We also honored Martha Gomez, the program’s Manager, for her inspiring 25-year journey with HIPPY. Martha’s dedication and passion have been a source of inspiration and empowerment for countless families. Her commitment to early childhood education has transformed lives, making her an invaluable asset to Family Central, Inc and Kids In Distress. Martha’s journey is a testament to the profound impact that one individual can have on a community.

The HIPPY program offers home-based early childhood education for children aged two to five, with parents as their first teachers. Parents receive materials and curriculum to boost their child's cognitive, literacy, social/emotional, and physical development. HIPPY is a parent involvement and school readiness program.

Today is ! Each year on the First Monday in October, we celebrate National Child Health Day.

From the food they eat to the words they hear, children require support and opportunities to grow. How can YOU celebrate today?

💓 Schedule your child's next routine checkup. Prevention is key!
💓 Add new healthy activities into your child's daily routine like playing in the park, a nature hunt, or a walk with family.
💓 Set an example by letting your children catch you in a healthy habit! Teach your child about the value of nutritious food, exercise and good sleep.

Join us in spreading the word about and be a part of this movement for healthier, happier children.

Do you know what happens to the assets that are seized by Broward County Sheriffs Office?

They go into the LETF (Law Enforcement Trust Fund) and local nonprofits are able to apply for the funds to use to better our community. Family Central was awarded $10,000 on Wednesday by Sheriff Gregory Tony! Thank you, Broward Sheriff Office!

Little Cruisers is our early childhood program that serves children ages 6 weeks – 5 years old and is open to employees of the Royal Caribbean Group. We received the KINDEST letter from a family, and had to share. ⭐ Congratulations, Little Cruisers Team, on a job well done!

"My daughter, Harlow L., recently started Kindergarten after attending Little Cruisers since she was 18 months old, when we relocated to Miami from NYC for my new role with Celebrity Cruises.

I cannot express enough how wonderful the experience at Little Cruisers has been to help set her up for success in her schooling. The teachers, under the direction of Ms Isabel, have been incredible, caring and invested in developing the children. Ms Shayvonne took an active approach to ensure Harlow and her classmates had a Pre-K 4 curriculum to follow last year in preparation for them to be ready for Kindergarten this year.

We also appreciate the active approach to staying connected and offering virtual programs and events during the pandemic. We also appreciate the incredible activities offered from yoga to soccer to the field trips to Royal’s Innovation Lab-all which helped to foster an interest in health, creativity and well being.

All the teachers worked together to plan and create the most special graduation ceremony for our little ones. Harlow’s grannie was a school teacher her entire career and had never seen anything like this, from the theme to the décor and special touches they all created to make the students feel celebrated.

We so appreciate the time Harlow spent at Little Cruisers and support the incredible group of teachers and caregivers. Ms Isabel has done an incredible job ensuring the children have a strong and caring support system. I would highly recommend Little Cruisers to anyone from our company in need of incredible care for their child, where they will know their child is safe and supported while they are at work.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
With much appreciation,
Lisa L.

Born in Queen, New York, and raised in Florida since the age of 10, Mariela Betancourt’s story is one that embodies the essence of compassion and unwavering dedication to helping others. With two decades of service at Family Central, Mariela’s journey within the organization is a testament to her deep commitment and passion for making a positive impact on people’s lives.

Mariela embarked on her career at Family Central in 2003 as a Therapeutic Behavioral On-site Therapist, where her nurturing spirit began to shine. In 2005, she transitioned into the role of a Mental Health Assessment Specialist. When the program she worked in came to a close, Mariela took on the role of a facilitator for the I Can Problem Solve Program, further demonstrating her dedication to the cause.

In 2009, Mariela embraced the role of a Family Consultant with the Cherish the Family Program, solidifying her commitment to strengthening families. She then spent 2 years serving as an Infant Mental Health Specialist in the Road to Childhood Outcomes. In 2017, Mariela joined the Positive Behavior Support Program as an Infant Mental Health Specialist, eventually assuming the role of Program Manager, where her leadership and dedication continued to shine.

As we step into the present, Mariela is poised for yet another challenge. With PBIS concluding on September 30th, she will take on the role of managing the new Parents as Teachers Program at Family Central. Her unwavering dedication to making a difference in the lives of others remains a guiding light for all those fortunate enough to work alongside her.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mariela for her outstanding contributions. Her journey is a testament to what it truly means to care and make a difference, and we are excited to see the continued positive impact she will have in the years ahead.

“This client is a grandmother of 5 children whom she adopted. All of the children have challenges - the oldest, who is not in the picture because he was in therapy, is Autistic. Grandmother is very thankful for the agency which has helped in many ways. Unfortunately her son, her right hand and the uncle of these children, passed a couple of months back and she again is very thankful for our agency since again they were able to help the family." – Maria Gomez

We are so appreciative of Ocean Reef Community Foundation for lending a helping hand to make the new school year a successful one! Thank you Ocean Reef for all you do for our children and families.

We're looking for compassionate, hardworking child welfare professionals to join us in the following roles:

Assistant Teacher
Benefits Enrollment Specialist
CCFP Finance Assistance
Childcare Food Program Claims Specialist
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant – Part Time & Full Time
Family Consultant
Nurturing Coach – Broward
Nurturing Coach – Miami
Preschool Lead Teacher
Program Coordinator – NPP
Program Coordinator – PAT
School Readiness Parent Educator – HIPPY

Learn more at https://familycentral.applicantpro.com/jobs/

On this solemn day, we remember and honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001. 🕯️ Let us never forget the bravery of first responders, the unity of a nation, and the enduring spirit of resilience. 🗽

to NPP Broward's "Back to School Event" on August 11th at Monkey Joe's in Coral Springs! Families participating in the program were invited to a fun event that provided entertainment consisting of indoor play spaces, inflatable bounce houses, food and refreshments. All children received backpacks and school supplies for the upcoming school year! ✏️📓✂️

The Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP) is a short term intensive in-home visitation parent education program using the Nurturing Parenting Skills for Families framework. Families and their children, birth – 11 years old, living in Broward and Miami Dade are eligible for services. All sessions are designed to promote the 5 Nurturing Constructs and 5 Protective factors that form the core service delivery and provide an opportunity for strength based wraparound case management services.

Labor Day is the perfect opportunity to kick back and relax! Let's take the time to honor the hard work and dedication of all the workers who make our lives better each and every day.

Comment below with how you plan to celebrate Labor Day - let's hear your ideas!

"The HIPPY program has helped me to develop a routine with Emily’s activities. This curriculum offers a lot of instruction for parents who needs information and who does not know how to start a home program. My daughter Emily is in VPK now, however with the support of HIPPY we have been able to learn and enjoy the activities for each week. We have really enjoyed the Science activities. Every week there is an interactive activity with STEM involved. We are very grateful with our home Visitor Paola who has taken the time and have guided me in the learning process. Thank you for this opportunity".

- Leidy, Mother of Emily and HIPPY Parent

🛠️ Breaking Ground in Miami-Dade 🛠️

We are excited to share that we have broken ground on our new Family Services Center in Miami-Dade County! We acquired a property located on NE 6th Avenue in Miami Shores in June of 2022 and have been renting in back to the seller since that time. We completed demolition this summer and are awaiting permitting to begin remodeling with anticipated completion date of November 2023. This 12,000 square foot Family Support Center will serve as the new home to our Miami-Dade based team. The Center will have specific areas dedicated to our HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngers) and Benefits Enrollment Teams, shared “hoteling” space for our JumpStart and Nurturing Parent Program therapists, expanded conference and meeting rooms, and 13 leadership offices. The Center firmly places the Family Central and Kids In Distress flag in the ground as an organization that has a substantial community footprint, impacting thousands of Miami-Dade children annually. Stay tuned for an announcement of our grand open-house!

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Do you have a passion for making a change within your community? Look no further – we're thrilled to announce that we're hiring for the following full and part time positions:

🌟 Assistant Teacher
🌟 Benefits Enrollment Specialist
🌟 Finance Specialist
🌟 Childcare Food Program Claim Specialist
🌟 Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
🌟 Early Head Start Mental Health Consultant
🌟 Family Consultant
🌟 Nurturing Coach
🌟 Preschool Lead Teacher
🌟 School Readiness Parent Educator

🌟 Attitude of Gratitude! 🌟

Family Central’s Training Academy’s recent presentation at the City of Sunrise Commission was a standout moment. Parent Leader Nadine beautifully expressed the gratitude of our Parent Leadership Training Institute of Broward. Special thanks to our supportive partners at the City of Sunrise, City Commissioners since PLTI Broward's inception in 2016.

As we treasure the presentation followed by an PLTI Alumni meet and greet, we're reminded of the power of gratitude and how strong our PLTI community is. Together, we can ignite positive change and meaningful leadership. Here's to continuous growth, impactful leadership, and fortifying our Broward communities.

Happy First Day of School, Palm Beach County! Have a great year! ✏️

🎉 Join us TOMORROW at the Family Central Job Fair in Miami!

Join us for our upcoming job fair, where we'll be connecting job seekers with full time and part time job opportunities. Don't miss out on this chance to make a difference in your community! 🌟👩‍👧‍👦

Our team kicked off The Children's Trust Family Expo last weekend at Booker T Washington Senior High School! We had a great time connecting with families and providing resources ahead of the upcoming school year.

Did you miss it? No problem! There are two more opportunities to attend:

South Family Expo
Saturday, July 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus
11011 SW 104th St, Miami, FL 33176

North Family Expo
Saturday, August 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Florida Memorial University
15800 NW 42nd Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33054

The Family Expo is a great opportunity for parents to learn of the wealth of resources and opportunities available to their children, including after-school and enrichment programs, nutrition education, injury prevention, programs for children with special needs, pre-K registration information and KidCare outreach.

Everyone can do something. What can YOU do?

Wondering how you can make an impact? We're here to help!⁠
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➡️ You can give intentionally by becoming a monthly donor, sponsoring an event or donating your time and talents.⁠
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➡️ You can open your home to a child in need by becoming a foster parent or respite caregiver.⁠
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➡️ You can educate others by sharing our social media posts.⁠
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Visit our website to find out all the ways you can make a difference in the life of a child.

Join us for our upcoming job fair, where we'll be connecting job seekers with full time and part time job opportunities. Don't miss out on this chance to make a difference in your community! 🌟👩‍👧‍👦

⭐ HIPPY Success Story ⭐

My name is Arelis Estrada and I would like to tell my story about how much the HIPPY program has impacted my life academically. I started in HIPPY when I was 3 years old and Martha Gomez was my Home Visitor (she is now the Coordinator of the Palm Beach HIPPY program.) She would teach my mom the lessons and then my mom would teach me, making my mom my first teacher. I still remember when my mom would read books to me such as, “Donde Está Spot?”, “Buenas Noche Luna” and many more. I enjoyed both science and gross motor activities.

HIPPY would also have activities for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. Playing and meeting new people was the highlight of my childhood, and even getting my face painted.

When started kindergarten I had already known how to count to 20, all the shapes, colors, how to spell my name and my ABC’s. My teacher even asked my mother if I was in a special advanced program due to me being ahead of other students.
I just completed my senior year of high school, with a rank of 26, GPA of 3.8, and as a member of National Honor Society. The HIPPY program has helped me accomplish all my achievements. In elementary school I was the captain of the safety patrols, went to Washington DC, made straight A honor roll in middle school, and I am now doing Dual Enrollment classes, as well as being enrolled in the medical academy. I have also been a volunteer with the HIPPY program after all these years.

Now that I have graduated from high school, my goal is to make it in the medical field to help others and make their life better. I would like to give HIPPY a huge thank you for helping me be the person I am today and or setting me up to achieve all my accomplishments!

A special thank you to the City of Sunrise, Coconut Creek and Tamarac for your continued support in our mission to empower parents and caregivers to becoming effective change agents and advocates for their children, families and our communities.

The PLTI initiative would not be possible without your generous support, and we are honored to receive proclamations declaring June 20, 2023, as the official “Parent Leadership Training Institute Day” from numerous cities and Broward County.

This recognition serves as a testament to the importance of investing in our parents and their abilities to lead and shape our communities.

From fireworks to barbecues, let's celebrate the land of the free and the home of the brave! Wishing everyone a joyful and safe Independence Day 🇺🇸✨

👏🎉 Congratulations to our Broward Parent Leadership Training Institute 2023 Cohort 8 Parent Leaders. Your dedication and commitment to developing the skills to lead with purpose is inspiring!! 🎓💪