Programs and results
What we aim to solve
As an organization dedicated to helping residents of our communities overcome obstacles and realize their potential, Family Centers is committed to remaining a catalyst of change around the issue of racial justice and equity. Our entire organization is on a journey to grow in these areas, and a new strategic goal is being developed to provide direction on how we can impact these critical issues.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Care to Care
Care to Care works to provide health services to licensed child care and early learning centers in Stamford. The program is staffed by a Nurse Consultant and is designed to enhance the quality of licensed child care facilities by meeting the requirements of the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Statutes and Regulations.
Services include CPR, First Aid, Medication and Epi-pen administration training (developed by Yale University School of Nursing), assessing school forms, safety, medication forms review, and other necessary reviews as required by statute. All services are designed to be affordable and are tailored to the unique needs of each provider.
Early Care and Education
Family Centers' Early Care and Education program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Accreditation by NAEYC is widely recognized as a distinction of the highest quality early care and education programs. Only eight percent of the nation's preschools earn NAEYC's stamp of approval. Family Centers' Early Care and Education program is one of two full day-full year program in Greenwich that maintains NAEYC accreditation.
All of our centers utilize Teaching Strategies Gold, a respected online assessment system, to track the growth and progress of our students. The objectives are aligned with the State of Connecticut's Early Learning Development Standards (ELDS). Lesson plans and individualized goals for each child are determined jointly with parents and teachers based on observations and assessments conducted in the classroom. Development benchmarks for each age group are also considered. Family Centers' curriculum is multi-sensory in approach and emphasizes discovery, cooperation and communication.
Greenwich Head Start Preschool
Family Centers' Greenwich Head Start program provides preschool services to income-eligible families living in Greenwich with three- and four-year-old children. The curriculum-based program teaches children to understand letters, numbers and how to interact in a classroom setting.
Teachers also work on speech development and helps children of immigrant families learn English. An emphasis is also placed on parent involvement to encourage and support children's educational and social development.
In order to enroll their children in the program, families must meet income guidelines set forth by the Federal Government.
Nurturing Families Network
The Nurturing Families Network (NFN) helps first-time parents manage the challenges of parenthood by providing a system of continuous care designed to promote positive parenting through telephone support, parenting groups as well as home visiting for eligible parents. NFN staff work in partnership with parents to enhance their strengths, provide education and create community connections. Participation in the program is free and voluntary for all families.
The Connecticut Children’s Trust Fund sponsors the Nurturing Families Network of family support programs existing in all birthing hospitals in Connecticut.
School Based Health Centers
School Based Health Centers (SBHC) are free-standing medical centers located in six high and middle schools in Stamford and Kids in Crisis in Greenwich.
Staffed by licensed nurse practitioners, clinical social workers, dental professionals and a health educator, SBHC provide on-site confidential physical, dental and mental health services to students enrolled in Stamford Public Schools.
Young Parents Program
The Young Parents Program supports pregnant teens and young mothers as they transition into their roles as parents. In addition to providing prenatal/parenting education and support, YPP clinicians help young parents further their educational and vocation goals.
Groups meet weekly in several Stamford schools. Home visits are also available.
To qualify for the YPP, teen mothers must live in Stamford and be enrolled in school.
Center for HOPE
For more than 30 years, the Center for HOPE has been one of the area's most respected and trusted resources for bereavement and critical illness support. The Center for HOPE provides comprehensive services for adults and children living with an illness, grieving a loss or coping with a life-altering circumstance. All counseling, support and education services are facilitated by specially-trained professionals in an atmosphere of hope and renewal.
Counseling & Mental Health Program
Family Centers’ Counseling and Mental Health Services help individuals, groups, couples and families resolve a wide range of personal, relationship and mental health issues. As part of the counseling program, our Wellness & Prevention services offer an array of workshops and support groups on health and mental health as well as parenting.
We also offer crisis debriefing through our trained Trauma Response Team. Our team of clinicians can also work with your group or organization to arrange a customized presentation.
All services are facilitated by trained mental health professionals and are provided in our licensed and accredited centers located in Greenwich, Stamford and Darien. Day and evening hours are available.
The Den for Grieving Kids
The Den For Grieving Kids provides a safe, caring place for children, teens and families to explore their feelings about the loss of a parent, sibling or other family member and begin the journey toward healing. Children and their families participate in groups led by professionals and trained volunteer facilitators.
The Den also offers support groups at area elementary, middle and high schools. The Den's focus is on supporting children and families and if necessary, our staff may refer family members for individual or group therapy at the Center for HOPE or within Family Centers' Counseling and Mental Health Program. Our professionals also provide trauma response services for community groups, schools or businesses.
The Den is a comprehensive bereavement resource center that does not charge a fee for participating individuals and families, and relies on over 50 volunteers and numerous charitable contributions to cover its operating budget. Our volunteers and donors help make The Den an important community of belonging, and we actively engage their support for its ongoing success.
Focus on K.I.D.S.
Focus on K.I.D.S teaches high conflict divorcing or divorced parents how to interact in ways that focus on the needs of their kids to create a more peaceful atmosphere that helps parents and children better manage this critical event in their lives. The acronym "K.I.D.S.” stands for Knowledge, Insight, Decisions and Solutions.
Through a series of personalized sessions, a divorcing couple meets together with a trained parent counselor to learn specific communication and problem solving techniques that improves their co-parenting skills, reduces parental conflict and positively addresses their children's specific needs.
Intensive Family Preservation
Through counseling and support, the Intensive Family Preservation Program helps families resolve conflicts and improve parenting skills when there is an imminent risk children being removed from the home due to instances of child abuse or neglect.
The Intensive Family Preservation Program is a 12-week program in which clinicians provide families with therapeutic and case management services for up to five hours each week. Family Centers partners with Family and Children's Agency of Norwalk to provide the program's services. The Intensive Family Preservation is a referral-based initiative funded by Connecticut Department of Children and Families.
Parenting Education Program
Mandated by Connecticut Superior Court, the Parenting Education Program (PEP) helps divorcing parents foster positive parenting following a divorce. Family Centers helps parents understand the challenges children face when the landscape of their family changes.
Through expert counseling, parents learn how they can help their children adjust to parent separation, provide cooperative parenting, conflict resolution and dispute management, visitation guidelines and stress reducing techniques.
Stamford CARES
Stamford CARES (Coalition for AIDS Resources, Education and Services) offers by direct service or through its community partners, access to health and support services to children, adolescents, adults and families living with HIV/AIDS in the Stamford region. Chief among these services is the provision of Medical Case Management, Early Intervention Services and Mental Health Counseling, where Stamford CARES staff members directly address barriers and disparities so that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to life-saving medical care and long-term maintenance in care.
Stamford CARES is staffed by Medical Case Managers, Early Intervention Specialists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers and support teams who understand the challenges and difficulties unique to those living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Staff provide medical and substance abuse systems navigation, entitlement assistance, counseling, housing coordination and emergency financial assistance to those newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or long-term survivors.
The program’s primary goal is to ensure that those living with HIV/AIDS have access to and remain in medical care. For more information or to make a referral, call (203) 977-4848.
Free, confidential, rapid (same day results) HIV testing is also available at various locations throughout the Stamford community courtesy of the Stamford Health Department HIV Prevention Program.
WorkLife Solutions
WorkLife Solutions Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Work-Life Services give employees confidential, 24-hour daily access to behavioral health professionals and community resources that help employees take care of their personal concerns so that they can reduce stress and focus on their work.
Community and Supportive Services
Operated in collaboration with Charter Oak Communities (the Stamford Housing Authority), Community and Supportive Services Program is designed to strengthen Stamford’s public housing communities by empowering residents to become active members and leaders within their communities and beyond. Through counseling, case management services, referrals to community agencies, community building, socialization and general support, the program helps families living in public housing achieve greater self-sufficiency and independence.
Our Resident Service Coordinators are onsite at Stamford public housing communities five days a week at public to help residents develop plans and take the necessary steps to reach their goals. By focusing on individual strengths and addressing personal and family needs, Resident Service Coordinators also work to utilize appropriate educational and vocational services to help residents obtain employment or improve their economic self sufficiency. For residents who are homebound, Resident Service Coordinators help to create support systems necessary in order to improve quality of life and ultimately maintain their independence.
Family Self Sufficiency Program
The Family Self Sufficiency Program provides residents of the Greenwich Housing Authority or Charter Oak Communities the tools they need to attain economic self sufficiency. The program offers individualized support including vocational counseling, goal planning, job and life skills training and family counseling aimed at helping participants become economically independent.
We work with partner agencies in the area to identify potential employment, education, homeownership, childcare, transportation and self-improvement opportunities for participating families. Free computer training courses are also offered.
To further encourage self-sufficiency and financial development, the Greenwich Housing Authority and Charter Oak Communities have both established special escrow savings accounts for the program’s participants. Rather experiencing a rent increase as their income improves, participants are eligible to contribute the escrow account. All funds saved into these accounts are available to residents for any self-sufficiency related expenses at the conclusion of the five-year program.
Friendly Connections
Friendly Connections is an innovative service for aging adults. Friendly Connections offers a variety of in-person and telephone-based services designed for the aging population. Friendly Connections is a great way for homebound and aging adults to continue to socialize, stimulate educational interests and stay connected with the community.
Housing Resource Program
Family Centers' Housing Resource Program locates and places clients living with long-term mental illness in safe, stable and affordable housing in lower Fairfield County. Program staff provides an array of supportive services necessary to maintain community living and prevent psychiatric hospitalizations.
In addition to providing housing, the program also assists clients gain community and government entitlements, and helps set up and furnish apartments.
Literacy Volunteers
Literacy Volunteers at Family Centers believes that access to education is critical to becoming economically self sufficient and independent. Proficiency in reading, writing and communication is essential to further advancement both personally and professionally.
Our students acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve personal and occupational goals. With the help of our dedicated volunteer tutors, Literacy Volunteers at Family Centers offers free English language instruction and basic literacy programs for adults and families. Through our partnerships with other community organizations, we are able to provide small group settings throughout the Greenwich and Stamford communities
Reaching Independence Through Employment (RITE)
Reaching Independence Through Employment (RITE) helps individuals and families attain a greater sense of self-sufficiency through counseling, goal planning, job-skills training, life skills and family support.
RITE coordinators provide free weekly vocational support clubs focusing on resume writing and defined job search skills.
Senior Health Insurance Counseling Program
Trained volunteers assist Greenwich residents eligible for Medicare Insurance to choose a supplemental insurance plan for Medicare (Medigap Insurance) and a Part D Prescription plan. Counselors can also provide some guidance on long term care insurance.
Family Centers Health Care
Family Centers Health Care is a Federally Qualified Health Clinic providing primary healthcare services to children and adults living in Greenwich Public Housing units, Section 8 housing and the surrounding neighborhoods. Dental and mental health services are also offered.
Where we work
Accreditations
Council on Accreditation (COA) 2017
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of children who have the skills necessary to maintain personal health
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents
Related Program
School Based Health Centers
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
School Based Heath Centers provided 105 Health and Wellness presentations/seminars to Stamford Public School Students and their parents.
Number of clients passing job skill competency exams or assessments after completing course
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Reaching Independence Through Employment (RITE)
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Individuals and families utilize the career, educational counseling, goal planning, work readiness, life skills and family support services
Number of students enrolled
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, Families
Related Program
Early Care and Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Children between the ages of six weeks to five years gain the educational foundation through Family Centers' Early Care and Education Program.
Number of children having a medical home
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Family Centers Health Care
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Opened in 2016, Family Centers Health Care is a federally qualified health clinic offering primary health, dental and mental health services to adults, children and families living in public housing.
Number of homeowners/tenants rating their feeling of safety in and around their homes as satisfactory
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups, Ethnic and racial groups, Social and economic status
Related Program
Community and Supportive Services
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The Community and Supportive Services (CSS) Program works to enhance opportunities and support for Stamford residents residing in Charter Oak Communities (Stamford Public Housing)
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
According to Family Centers' 2018-2021 Strategic Directions, the agency's four goals are:
Goal 1: Deliver a high quality, cost-efficient and effective range of human service, health and education programs that meet our communities’ needs, facilitate positive client outcomes and address the growing Opportunity Gap.
Goal 2: Maintain a strong and diverse Governing Body comprised of community, volunteer and business leaders, and consumers committed to the fulfillment of our mission.
Goal 3: Recruit, develop and retain a mission-driven workforce that embraces and champions Family Centers’ culture and values.
Goal 4: Expand and retain a balanced, diversified and innovative mix of revenues and other assets to support Family Centers’ current and future operational and capital needs.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Family Centers' 2018-2021 Strategic Directions clearly outlines objectives and strategies to accomplish the goals listed above. Family Centers is willing to share the Strategic Directions upon request.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Refer to Strategic Directions
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Refer to Strategic Directions
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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Who are the people you serve with your mission?
Family Centers serves more than 20,000 children, families and adults living in lower Fairfield County each year. While Family Centers ensure that its services and programs are available to all, a large number of the people served come from underserved communities and those of color.
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How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Paper surveys, Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Case management notes, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees,
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,
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What significant change resulted from feedback?
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Family Centers was a leading provider of testing services. As the case numbers fell in 2021, Family Centers discontinued these services. However, as the Omicron variant surged at the beginning of 2022, community demand and feedback led the organization to restart its testing capabilities.
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With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners,
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How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?
The feedback provided by the communities we serve allows us to keep in touch with the changing needs. As a result of this feedback, numerous programs and initiatives were created and fostered a collaborative spirit amongst the agency and its constituents.
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded,
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, We don’t have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection,
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
FAMILY CENTERS INC
Board of directorsas of 03/11/2022
Nancy Casserley
David Ball
Marjorie Berkley
Leigh Carpenter
Nancy Casserley
Kate Clark
Ann Croll
Jan Dilenschneider
Lauren Driscoll
Carl Goodnow
Julie Graham
Laurie Grauer
Joli Gross
John Horton
Laurie Host
Kip Koons
Arlene Mark
Michael McKeever
Mary Moran
Kathleen Ryan-Mufson
John Straus
David Tuttle
David Van Dyke
Rob Vendig
Kevin Walsh
Jean Witmer
Susan Yonce
Tom Ashforth
Ashley Reid
Nicki Rose
Kim Kipsert
Lindsay Burn
Ashley Fox
Tom O'Connor
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/17/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.