In the late 1980s and early 1990s, fragile children and families were foundering in communities under the weight of crime, poverty and disorganization. It became abundantly clear that was needed were deliberate and sustained interventions.

Change was in the air in 1999 with Dr. Jerry Miller, the first Court Receiver of the child welfare agency now known as Child and Family Services Agency.  Miller brought together government, community, and families to develop an intervention strategy to build on the resilience of individuals and communities, prevent child maltreatment and promote child and youth success.  This collective commitment to reinvigorating and rebuilding all the facets of our community breathed life into the Healthy Families and Thriving Communities concept.

The Collaborative Movement was born.

Since the Collaboratives were formalized in 1996, they have provided an array of strengths-based services and supports to children and families.  Some supports are common across the Collaboratives while others meet the unique needs of the residents of the neighborhoods they serve.  Fierce attention to the needs of children, families and community defined the work of the Collaboratives.

In 1997, the Collaboratives created the Healthy Families/Thriving Communities Collaborative Council to take charge of the “big picture” parts of the work such as data collection and evaluation, documenting and training on the common practice model, and quality assurance.  The Collaborative Council also provides leadership in advocating for public policies and investments that will improve the lives of vulnerable children and families.

Together, the Collaborative Council and Collaboratives model an effective approach to improving family functioning family-by-family and simultaneously elevating issues to a public policy level to effect positive change for all families.

The Council is involved in the following initiatives:

Advocacy

Charter Compliance
In FY2000, the Council designed and implemented the Charter Compliance Process. This process was the end result of rigorous qualitative and organizational assessments that included an evaluation

Fathers Court Essay
This program gives children an opportunity to submit brief essays that speak to the importance of a father figure in their lives

Fatherhood Education, Empowerment and Development Program (FEED)
FEED is designed to help fathers enhance fathering skills, improve co-parenting relationships and reconnect with their children

Partnership for Community-Based Services (PCBS)
The Healthy Families/Thriving Communities Collaborative Council and Collaboratives have created a joint practice model with the Child and Families Services Agency (CFSA) called the Partnership for Community-Based Services

System of Care (SOC)
The System of Care Program is designed to provide advocacy and supportive services to youth with serious emotional, behavioral and mental disorders and their families