Family Support Services of Amarillo, Inc.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
FSS serves over 25,000 people each year, including victims of sexual assault, family violence, and human trafficking; at-risk children, families, and individuals; people in need of individual, group, marital, and family counseling; and veterans, family members of veterans, and surviving spouses.
Mission Statement: To empower individuals and families through comprehensive advocacy, education, and intervention services.
Vision: A community where individuals and families are healthy, stable, and violence-free
Core Values
-Empowerment of families and individuals for success.
-Nurturing environment for staff and clients.
-Service to the community, clients and staff.
-Respect for the dignity and confidentiality of all individuals.
-Sound fiscal management
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Crisis Services
The Crisis Services Division provides assistance to victims of sexual assault, family violence and human trafficking in Amarillo, Texas and surrounding areas of the Texas Panhandle. Our programs are designed to provide safety as well as advocacy for victims, along with the prevention of these crimes.
Crisis Intervention and Advocacy are available on a walk-in basis (no appointment necessary) during the FSS hours of operation (8am-8pm Mon-Thurs, 8am-4:30pm Fri). Crisis Advocacy is also available after hours at Northwest Texas Hospital, the Bridge, and other designated locations.
Crisis Services are offered at no charge.
Crisis Services include:
Safe shelter for victims who are in imminent danger
Face-to-face crisis intervention
24-hour Crisis Hotline, 374-5433 (LIFE) or Spanish 1-800-799-7233 (National)
Advocacy services, including accompaniment through medical, legal, and judicial systems
An accredited crisis volunteer advocate program serving victims who present at Northwest Texas Hospital or The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center
Public education to increase knowledge of the dynamics of sexual violence and family violence, the causes and consequences of both, and the related intervention and prevention services that FSS provides.
Sexual assault survivors’ group
Family Violence support group
Behavioral Health and Wellness
Behavioral Health services are provided by licensed professional counselors, licensed social workers, and master’s degree level counselors.
Services include:
Individual, Group, Marital, and Family Counseling
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy- CBT is a counseling approach that addresses dysfunctional emotions, maladaptive behaviors and thought processes. CBT is "problem focused" and "action oriented"
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy- TF-CBT is a unique form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that has been specially adapted for children who have experienced trauma.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy- EMDR is a newer type of psychotherapy which has proven very effective for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Play Therapy
Battering Intervention and Prevention Program- BIPP specializes in domestic/family violence intervention and prevention of battering behaviors used to gain power/control within an intimate relationship, marriage, or family.
Women’s Anger & Violence Program
Rollercoasters- support group for children who experience family changes such as divorce
Recovery And Prevention- a school-based therapy group provided for children who have been traumatized by domestic violence
Parents As Teachers And Healers- PATH is an innovative program for children of domestic violence and their non-offending parents
Transparenting - a workshop for parents with minor children who are going through divorce or separation
Supervised Visitation
Reasons for Supervised Visits
To help reintroduce a parent to a child after a long absence from the child’s life.
To help introduce a parent and a child when there has been no prior relationship between them.
When there are issues of mental illness, domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, or drug or alcohol abuse.
When there are parenting concerns.
When there is a threat of kidnapping.
To give the parent a chance to show they are capable of appropriate parenting.
Counseling services are offered in English and Spanish, and some services are available in other languages through translation services.
A sliding fee scale is offered. Insurance, Medicare and Medicaid are also accepted.
Veteran Resource Center
The Veteran Resource Center (VRC) is a veteran-staffed drop-in facility that provides veterans, family members and surviving spouses with the opportunity to make their lives better: through connections with peers, receiving help with finding housing and employment, finding out what benefits they are eligible for, and help with issues such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and traumatic brain injury.
FSS is partnering with -and providing office space for- local organizations who help veterans and family members, including but not limited to Socks for Soldiers, Texas Workforce Solutions, West Texas Legal Aid, Texas Panhandle Centers, Honor Flight, the Amarillo VA and others.
The VRC also provides -at no cost- peer support groups, individual, family and marital counseling, and equine therapy.
Services Available Include:
Identifying and addressing the needs of Veterans, family members, and surviving spouses, and connecting them with the resources they need
Providing assistance to homeless Veterans and those at-risk
Employment application assistance
Referrals to local Veteran-friendly agencies
Individual, family and marriage counseling
Peer support groups
Family support groups
Life skills training
Equine therapy
Networking with local, area and statewide services for claims, compensation and education
For more information, contact VRC Director Verlene Dickson, U.S. Army-
Retired, at 806.342.2509 or [email protected]
Prevention/Education
The Prevention and Education Division of Family Support Services of Amarillo provides programs for at-risk children, families, and individuals in Amarillo and surrounding Texas Panhandle communities.
Services include:
Picture
The 2013-2014 AISD District Impact Award
Strengthening Families Program (SFP)- an evidence-based family skills training program found to significantly reduce problem behaviors, delinquency, and alcohol and drug abuse in children and to improve social competencies and school performance. TSFP is offered in the Amarillo/Canyon area. SFP has been proven to:
Delay the onset of adolescent substance use
Lower levels of aggression in youth
Increase the resistance to peer pressure in youth
Reduce youth conduct problems in school
Improve parent skills including building a positive relationship with their youth, setting appropriate limits, and following through on consequences, while showing love and support for their children
Awarded the 2013-2014 District Impact Award by Amarillo Independent School District.
Walk this Way- presentations show how acts of discrimination can be turned into positive lessons of affirmation and hope.
Sexual Assault and Family Violence Prevention Education for all ages in schools and throughout the community
Texas PEACE (Peer Educators Acting For Change And Equality) Project - a peer leadership program offered in several high schools and middle schools - exploring topics including bullying, dating violence, domestic violence and sexual assault
Parenting Education classes - 10-week course that utilizes the Love & Logic curriculum
Mean Girls and Salvaging Sisterhood- a group curriculum designed to teach relationally aggressive &/or bullying girls how to effectively communicate with one another.
Too Good for Drugs and Violence- managing emotions, communication, positive friendships, countering social influences, analyzing media messages and refusing peer pressure.
Choose Respect- an initiative that helps teens form healthy relationships to prevent dating violence before it starts.
Love and Logic Parenting Education- This program is designed around weekly 60 minute classes that teach parents how to raise self-confident, motivated children who are ready for the real world.
STOP FILM FESTIVAL (Students Taking On Prevention)- Competition for submissions of a PSA with a positive prevention message to be judged by area film professionals for a chance to win cash prizes and have their work be used toward their campus prevention efforts. Only Peer-led student film festival in the Nation.
HOTDOGS and HORSEPLAY- A parent empowerment project offered at Horace Mann MS, Emerson and San Jacinto ES. Whole Families were invited to come out and enjoy hot dogs and then separate into groups for hands on educational sessions involving equine therapy techniques.
Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)- advises the FSS Education Division on key policy issues affecting youth, gaps in services locally and meeting with civic leaders to advocate for youth needs.
Life Skills Classes - money management, employment skills, home management, health, recreation, communication skills and problem-solving for adult clients.
Services are offered at no cost to schools, businesses, and community groups.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Goals & Strategy
Learn 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?
Family Support Services places an emphasis on helping Amarillo and Texas Panhandle residents, especially during times of crisis or family turmoil. We are governed by a community volunteer board and trace our roots back to the beginning of social services in Amarillo.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our programs are designed to help the whole individual or family through our Crisis Services, Education and Prevention, Behavioral Health and/or Veteran Resource Center.
We provide integrated services in a continuum of care to meet the diverse needs of our clients, regardless of their ability to pay.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Advocacy Services - The FSS 24-hour crisis hotline, hospital volunteer advocacy program and crisis services are available to all victims of family violence, sexual assault and human trafficking regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, familial status, or financial status. The FSS Domestic Violence Shelter houses women and children, victims of family violence and/or sexual assault who are in danger and need a safe place to stay. All crisis services are free and confidential.
Behavioral Health Services - Provided by licensed professional counselors, licensed social workers, and master's degree level counselors. A sliding fee scale is offered. Insurance, Medicare and Medicaid are also accepted. Some services are made possible through grants and no fee is charged.
Education Services – For at-risk children, families and individuals. Services are offered at no cost to schools, businesses, and community groups. Programs include: Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support (HOPES): The HOPES program is intended to address child abuse and neglect prevention of young children by focusing on community collaboration; Strengthening Families Program (SFP)- an evidence-based family skills training program found to significantly reduce problem behaviors, delinquency, and alcohol and drug abuse in children and to improve social competencies and school performance; Walk this Way- presentations show how acts of discrimination can be turned into positive lessons of affirmation and hope; Sexual Assault and Family Violence Prevention Education for all ages in schools and throughout the community; Texas PEACE (Peer Educators Acting For Change And Equality) Project - a peer leadership program offered in several high schools and middle schools; and Parenting Education classes.
Veteran Resource Center - In 2014, FSS partnered with the Texas Veterans Commission, our local Military Veteran Peer Network affiliate (Texas Panhandle Centers), Texas Workforce Solutions, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, and other community partners to convert a closed childcare center into a Peer Networking Center/Veteran Drop-In Center known as the Veteran Resource Center (VRC). The VRC, staffed by peer support-trained Veterans, partner agency staff, and volunteers, provides veterans and/or their family members with the opportunity to meet peers and engage in peer support, apply for benefits, and receive mental health services and referrals to other resources.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
From our beginnings in 1908, we have helped hundreds of thousands of area residents live better lives. This year marked our 108th year of serving people in crisis. Over the past year, our dedicated staff have done an incredible job at expanding outreach and strengthening our programs and services.
In 2016, we were able to increase the value of services delivered directly to those in need. Over the past year we have increased the value of services provided by 7%, and over the past three years, we have increased the value of services provided by a total of 35%, to a total of $2,939,000.
It's been a year of amazing accomplishments across the board. We've built new community partnerships and put together innovative approaches that are eliminating barriers people have faced in accessing services. I'm immensely proud of the work that FSS staff and volunteers are doing to make FSS a force for good in the world.
2016 program highlights from the year include:
-We provided services to more people than ever- 25,636 compared to 23,594 in 2015!
-Counseling services were provided to 5,153 individuals, 125 families , and 81 couples.
-3,658.5 hours of Batterer's Intervention and Prevention services were provided
-4,898 domestic violence shelter days were provided to 393 adults and children.
-We served over 800 survivors in our DV support group.
-We served 729 sexual assault victims on site at NWTH hospital. The majority of the victims were children.
-Crisis Volunteer Advocate on-call hours – 8,760 – trained 16 new volunteers
-We had 3,199 calls to our crisis line.
-We provided 7,810 children and adults with education and prevention services.
-6,148 units of service were provided to 579 veterans, 134 dependents, 15 survivors; including 231 employment referrals, 92 housing referrals, and 53 veterans participated in equine therapy
-A new partnership with Regence Health Network was developed to provide health screenings in our domestic violence shelter and our Veteran Resource Center
-New partnerships were developed with VetStar, Texas Panhandle Centers, and others to expand and enhance the services provided in our Veteran Resource Center.
-We housed more pets than ever in our onsite kennel at our domestic violence shelter, so that survivors do not have to leave their pets behind to be abused or killed
-A new teen pregnancy prevention program was implemented
-We provided training opportunities for area law enforcement and social service agencies aimed at preventing domestic violence homicide and sexual assault
-We started a trauma-informed yoga program for survivors of sexual assault
-We partnered with the Jack Duncan Rhodes Foundation to implement the RE-LATE teen suicide prevention program
-And we have started a very successful Couples Class.
FSS is stronger than ever due to our staff, volunteers, and community partners who come together to donate time, resources, and talent in support of our important mission.
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
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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 Support Services of Amarillo, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 12/21/2021
Brad Baldridge
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
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 01/14/2020GuideStar 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 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 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.