Family Support Center - December 2011

By: Angela Hanberg
    Although we don't hear it very often, the term "respite" is something each and every one of us requires at one point or another in our lives.
    "Respite" [res-pit] is defined as an interval, usually short, of rest and relief. The most important part of this definition is that respite is temporary, and may be revoked either after a period or without warning. It is normally associated with people suffering from physical pain, but respite can also apply to those who receive brief relief from financial or social pains as well.
    The Family Support Center of the Uintah Basin, led by director Janet Row, is equipped to offer emergency respite care to individuals experiencing emotional, financial or even legal difficulties that have no one else to turn to. The FSC's caring and capable staff are on call 24/7 to take in children from birth to 11 years old, giving them the safety and stability they need and deserve in these times of crisis.

The Family Support Center in Roosevelt, UT

    "The children remain safe in our friendly, home-like atmosphere until their family crisis is resolved. Whether this means being returned home or placed in the foster care program, our well-trained and caring staff provides nutritious meals, clean clothing and loving arms."
    Parents should keep in mind that this facility is not a drop-off daycare, but a safe place to leave children while they go to appointments, court, deal with medical issues, or just really need a break. The FSC should be used as a last resort. Children are always better off with family or friends that they know and feel comfortable with, but on the other hand, taking advantage of the services at the FSC in a non-emergency situation may take up space needed to attend to other children who really don't have anywhere else to go.
Currently, the FSC is only able to attend to eight children at a time. Their facility is dated and small and although they have made many upgrades and improvements to what they have, they are in desperate need of an expansion. The community has been so generous with donations, in-kind and otherwise, and Newfield has been their biggest source of income as of recently. They also apply for federal grants in order to offer free parenting classes to the public. These parenting classes are held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays starting the first Tuesday in January. Please watch our Calendar of Events for a list of classes and times each month.

A visual reminder of the number of children who have been
helped by the services provided at
The Family Support Center.

    The biggest difference between the Family Support Center and other local agencies is that they are not funded by the government. They do not have seemingly unlimited tax dollars funding their facility. Other than the federal grants they have to compete for, for parenting classes, they run solely on the manpower and financial support of the community.
    Another equally important function of the FSC is working with the Children's Justice Center. A common misconception is that these two entities are one in the same. Where they do support and work very closely with each other, they are not covered under the same financial blanket; however, the involvement of each group in these times of crises is equally important to the welfare of the children. When unfortunate events cause children to be removed from their home, the first place they go is the Children's Justice Center. There, the child may spend an hour or two in an interview and screening process to determine the best course of action, after which, they most often go to the Family Support Center where they can stay anywhere from a few days to a few weeks until a foster care family becomes available to them. During this waiting period, they are given food, water, shelter, baths and clean clothes in this comfortable safe environment.


The Family Support Center’s 2011
Enchanted Forest Tree

    "When children have to stay here because they have been placed by DCFS, we not only feed, house, and clothe them, but our staff of seven is extremely patient and loving. They spend time with the children, answering questions, and making the children feel safe. None of them are paid a huge salary, they do this work out of love for the children."

    The Family Support Center also works very closely with the Ute Tribe have been a good resource for them as well. There team of six wonderful caring workers serve the entire Duchesne, Daggett and Uintah Counties. The next closest center that provides this same function is located in Price.
    By request, the center can provide a resource list of every shelter, law enforcement office, court, hospital and countless other resources in our area. This information can also be found at www.211ut.org. The Family Support Center of the Uintah Basin is located at 259 N. 700 E.; Roosevelt, UT. For move information you can also contact the Center at 435-722-2401.
 
 

UBIC Float