Strengthening Families of North Texas

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Strengthening Families of North Texas

We are comprehensive family support program for parents of children up to six years of age who are ex Mayer, Ph.D. A huge controversy erupted in the village. M.

Saving the Babies: Looking Upstream for Solutions - Steven E. One day a group of villagers was working in the fields by a river. Suddenly someone noticed a baby floating downstream. A woman rushed out and rescued the baby, brought it to shore and cared for it. During the next several days, more babies were found floating downstream, and the villagers rescued them as well. But before long there was

a steady stream of babies floating downstream. Soon the whole village was involved in the many tasks of rescue work: pulling these poor children out of the stream, ensuring they were properly fed, clothed, and housed, and integrating them into the life of the village. While not all the babies, now very numerous, could be saved, the villagers felt they were doing well to save as many as they did. Before long, however, the village became exhausted with all this rescue work. Some villagers suggested they go upstream to discover how all these babies were getting into the river in the first place. Had a mysterious illness stricken these poor children? Had the shoreline been made unsafe by an earthquake? Was some hateful person throwing them in deliberately? Was an even more exhausted village upstream abandoning them out of hopelessness? One group argued that every possible hand was needed to save the babies since they were barely keeping up with the current flow. The other group argued that if they found out how those babies were getting into the water further upstream, they could repair the situation up there that would save all the babies and eliminate the need for those costly rescue operations downstream.

“Don’t you see,” cried some, “if we find out how they’re getting in the river, we can stop the problem and no babies will drown? By going upstream we can eliminate the cause of the problem!”

While there are many worthwhile programs that deal with the aftermath of child abuse, few focus on preventing the abuse before it occurs, and none in our immediate community. Strengthening Families of North Texas works with the concept of going upstream, providing services to families before the abuse occurs. Parents can gain the needed tools to effectively manage their child’s behavior, build positive relationships with their children and access other community resources. "The solution of adult problems depends in large measure upon the way our children grow up today. There is no greater insight onto the future than recognizing (that) when we save our children, we save ourselves." Meade, 1991

Operating as usual

05/22/2017

Strengthening Families of North Texas updated their business hours.

12/21/2016

We have one more day distributing toys to our Collin County families! Wednesday, 4-7 pm, call us at 8679470!

06/28/2016

Beautiful morning, makes a beautiful day! Join us this morning at the Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, Los Rios in Plano!

06/17/2016

Just updated our profile for this year's North Texas Giving Day, September 22, 2016!
Just this year alone we have served over 30 families with parenting classes, home visits, counseling and respite care! Oh did I mention in English and Spanish?
We have a family picnic scheduled June 28 with City of Plano teen volunteers and Collin College Interns assisting.
Let the fun begin and recruit more families - it is what we do!

04/18/2016

effectivecommunities.com

An Ounce of Prevention…

I believe parents as a general rule do not wake up in the morning and ask themselves “how am I going to abuse or neglect my child today?” Parents are not given a manual on how to raise their children when they take their child home, nor are they given resources to help them cope with the stresses of raising another human being. This situation knows no age, gender, or economic barrier…we all can fall victim to this. Parents use the teachings of how they were raised and modify that style to what they think is best. With no one to confide in except their role models or others in a similar situation, bad habits are propagated. Most of us survive and thrive…others fall victim to abuse and neglect, and bad things happen. There is no simple answer to what causes child abuse and neglect...but I know, as Ben Franklin said, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

SAVING THE BABIES: LOOKING UPSTREAM FOR SOLUTIONS Steven E. Mayer, Ph.D., Jan 4, 2008
http://effectivecommunities.com/pdfs/ECP_SavingBabies.pdf

The story above illustrates that…if you can focus efforts to treat “at risk” families, you will reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect. Working with at-risk families means providing parenting classes, counseling, respite care and home visits to name a few. Treating the issues that lead to abuse and neglect means that the family environment never gets so bad that abuse and neglect results. Efforts focused on prevention will never fully stop abuse and neglect, but society puts way more focus on dealing with the aftermath of abuse than we do preventing it from occurring in the first place. And let’s face it, these horrible examples of abuse and neglect get headlines, not the families that are helped by organizations focused on at risk families.

We are told that CPS is overworked and underpaid. Search on why people leave their jobs and many will tell you that if you took a job for the money (especially for more money), you took that job for the wrong reason. You can’t pay people enough to be a CPS caseworker and to deal with the number of issues that they have to deal with today. If real efforts are made to focus on prevention, this should result in:
• A lower case load for CPS;
• A reduction in the need for foster care (and our tax dollars going there);
• A reduction in the incidence of legal proceedings and incarceration related to abuse and neglect cases (and our tax dollars going there);
• An improvement in the health and well being of our youth and family structure;
• Increased number of well adjusted youth attending school and entering our workforce.

Overall, child abuse prevention programs need to be recognized as a means to stem the increasing rate of abuse and neglect in our society. The physical health community has recognized that prevention programs for your physical well being will payoff for everyone in the long run; healthier lifestyles lead to healthier workers, leading to lower insurance claims and lower premiums, and overall lower operating costs and greater profits.

As a society we do not do enough to save our children and their families from the pain and heartache that is child abuse and neglect. But if we really are serious in making a dent in this problem, we have to be serious about going upstream and preventing it before it occurs.

David Marks
Plano, Texas
Advisory Board Member
Strengthening Families of North Texas
www.SFNTx.org

04/05/2016

Please sign-up or RSVP for the McKinney Expressions with a Twist Art Workshop by this Friday, 4/8, at 10 am so that we have a head count for the lunch! Thanks!

03/31/2016

Our guest speaker for this unique Art Workshop, April 9 in McKinney:
Jodi McKee, LPC-S - Art Therapy
Jodi McKee is a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor with over 15 years of experience. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Austin College and her graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy/Clinical Art Therapy from Loyola Marymount University. Her passion is for children and families in crisis. Most of her professional work has been spent in hospital or shelter settings. She currently supports clients with eating disorders, and she lives in Plano with her teenage son.

Talley Williams - Communicating through Art
Talley Williams is an autodidactic entrepreneur and artist whose career spans a more than a quarter of a century. Talley relocated from the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband of 27yrs David Williams ,and two sons, Nicholas and Jordan 20+ years ago to Plano Texas. Mrs. Williams enjoyed a prosperous career in Dallas/Texas, as a proprietor, interior decorator and image consultant to professional men and women. She holds a patent, copyrights and a published art novella of her own unique works, and is currently seeking trademark. She is known for her ability to marry visual presentation and intention in unusual and bold ways
In 2010 Talley Williams underwent a miraculous experience which served as the catalyst for a career change. She experienced what is known as an OBE, gifting as a result the ability to paint and create vast artworks/ products of ancient culture and design.
In 2012-2015 Mrs. Williams brought her unique brand and background to the city Plano, as the Director/Gallerist for Plano Art Association. In that position she exercised full use of her skillset to, as she puts it, build bridges between communities using art as a platform.” Utilizing the arts Mrs. Williams expanded the city’s desire to promote diversity and represent itself as a city of excellence. During her leadership Plano Art Association’s membership grew four fold in the area cultural diversity and set precedence for suburban art groups.
Talley Williams received honors in 2014 from The Indie Festival as The Dallas Metro Plex’s most innovative and influencial contributor to the art’s community, first place in Plano’s Multicultural Exhibit, with a repurposed sculpture entitled EARTH. She is also a designer of wearable art and received 2nd prize in Plano Art Association’s jurored Grand Opening Art exhibit, a win seized by a memorable piece entitled “Cloak of Zion”’. In 2012 Mrs. Williams was a featured artist at the Mc Kinney Art Center of Dallas where she rendered a performance entitled, “Pangea: We Are All In This Together”. During the performance Mrs. Williams reformed a massive textile in response to the audience.
Talley has exhibited in a number local exhibits ,participated in solo and group exhibits to include the exclusive Dragon Street galleries where Talley was the premier artist at “1111”, Gallery of artist/gallerist Erich Trich.
Talley Williams’ artistry spans several genres to include 2D/3D, performance, design, mixed media, fragrance and home décor as well as art photography. Mrs. Williams is currently in preparations of a one woman exhibit/performance piece entitled
Blackswans Conversation with the Five Wise Brides: An Issue of Oil

Jennifer Siebert - Observation of Art

Seibert’s installations, drawings, paintings, and videos have been exhibited nationally and
internationally with solo and group exhibitions in the United States, France, Switzerland, Albania,
and Italy with her drawings, paintings, and installations. She has created two feature length
films and several short films, many of which were made possible through competitive research
fellowships and grants. She has attended residencies home and abroad and has won multiple
awards for her paintings, installations, and short films. Seibert is currently a Professor of Art at
Collin College, and was a Tenured Professor of Art at Eastern Michigan University for 9 years
before moving home to Texas to raise her family. She currently teaches painting and 2-dimensional design. Past courses have been drawing, installation, video, animation, and graduate seminars.
Through her abstractions of reality Seibert is trying to measure the distances between want,
loss, consumption, debt, beginnings, ends, progression, and decline.

Mayra Ozturk - Bachelor of Art in Psychology/Human Development and Early Childhood Disorders, M.S. - Power of Play

Still waiting for her bio info/only have her resume

03/09/2016

Had to share this from a former Intern. Thank you Rebecca Littlefield, very powerful!

03/04/2016

McKinney Expressions with a Twist Art Workshop

This workshop is open to the public!

With the support from City of McKinney, Strengthening Families of North Texas invite those who work, raise or come into contact with children to attend our first Art Workshop! Sessions covering: Power of Play, Art Therapy, Observation of Art and Communicating through Art; Participants will leave wit…

On April 9, 2016, with the support from City of McKinney, Strengthening Families of North Texas invite those who work, r...

03/04/2016

Home

On April 9, 2016, with the support from City of McKinney, Strengthening Families of North Texas invite those who work, raise or come into contact with children to our first Art Workshop!
With sessions covering: Power of Play, Art Therapy, Observation of Art and Communicating through Art; participants will leave with a better understanding how Art can build relationships, observation and communication skills.
This workshop provides 5 CEU's hours, required in Texas Child Care Minimum Standards:
746.1305
• (a)
Fostering children’s self-esteem;
Positive interaction with children;
746.1309
• (b) At least six clock hours of annual training must be in one or more of the following topics:
Child growth and development;
Guidance and discipline;
Age-appropriate curriculum;
Teacher-child interaction

• (c) At least one clock hour of annual training must focus on prevention, recognition, and reporting of child abuse and neglect, including:
Community organizations that have training programs available to child-care center staff members, children, and parents.

• (d)
Cultural diversity for children and families;
Professional development (for example, effective communication with families, time and stress management);
Observation and assessment;
This event costs $25.00 per person, lunch is included.
Sign up on our website through Paypal at www.sfntx.org, or email us at [email protected] for more details!

02/27/2016

Based on what you may have read on the Texas foster care system...
Since 2009, Strengthening Families of North Texas is built on the concept that the best person to raise a child is that child's parent - not the state foster care system. So, we have to help people be better parents while also addressing the needs of the child.

02/11/2016

We are proud to announce our McKinney Art Contest! With the support of City of McKinney, we encourage all 8th - 12th grade McKinney students to entry their artwork!
Guidelines:

Submission Dates: March 21 – April 1, 2016
Delivered to 3415 Custer Road, Suite 140, Plano, Texas 75023; 2:00 pm – 5:00 p.m. or call in advance for delivery time at 972-867-9470
8th – 12th grade McKinney Texas students.
Students accepted include those enrolled in public, private, and parochial schools as well as those in accredited home schools. McKinney students are invited to create a drawing or painting based on the theme below.

Theme:
Diversity
• the state or fact of being diverse; difference; unlikeness:
• variety; multiformity.
• a point of difference.

Entry Rules:

1. One entry per person, proof of grade and residence of McKinney
2. Subject matter must relate to theme.
3. May be in BW or Color
4. Must not be under 8.5″ x 11″ in size
5. Must not be framed; border, display ready
6. Must be suitable for all ages
7. Must be original artwork
8. No digitally enhanced artwork
9. No names or initial can be visible on the artwork
10. Artwork must be the original work of the student entering the contest. Any medium is accepted. Examples include to the following:
Painting
o Watercolor
o Acrylic
o Oil
o Tempera
Dry Black/White Media
o Pencil/Lead
o Charcoal
o Graphite
Dry Colored Media
o Pastel
o Colored Pencil
o Crayon

Categories:
By grades: 8th – 9th 10th – 12th
Each category will have a First, Second and Third place winner.
Prizes:
8th – 9th grade 10th – 12th grade
1st Prize $75 gift card $100 gift card
2nd Prize $50 gift card $75 gift card
3rd Prize $25 gift card $50 gift card
Judging Criteria:
• Exhibits creativity
• Composition
• Elements of Art
• Craftsmanship
• Diversity Message content
Please note:
All artwork submitted will be displayed April 9, 2016 at the McKinney Expression with a Twist workshop, held at the McKinney Boyd High School. Art may be picked up between 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 pm that same day.

This event is sponsored by the City of McKinney, Texas!

02/09/2016

Last night was awesome on so many levels! Pizza and salad never tasted so good Kerry Davis! Topped off with the delicious cream cheese filled chocolate cake and fabulous cream cheese filled chocolate dipped strawberries by Roberta Lucas!

01/21/2016

Our "Strengthening Families" parenting classes begin Monday, January 25 and continue until March 28, 2016! Even if you work with/around children this is a great way to earn CU's! These classes are free thanks to generosity of Junior League of Collin County, City of Plano, Plano West Rotary, Plano Early Lions Club and many individuals! This class can be the start of a new beginning for many families, share this information or call us for more details at 972-867-9470!
Take a break on Mondays, we provide dinner at 6:00 p.m. and childcare during class time, 6:30 - 8:00 pm.
These classes are held at 3405 Custer Road, Plano at the Hope Community Church. We also thank Hope Community Church for the use of the building!

12/17/2015

Hello,

We are happy to send you holiday joy, the toys are being set up now as I type!

Parents you will be able to come pick up your toys tomorrow, Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 6:30 pm. Toys are re-stocked each night with new inventory.

We are located this year at Evolution Academy, 1099 Sherman Street, Sherman and Buckingham, in Richardson.

Merry Christmas

11/17/2015

KVCE Radio Listen Live

This Thursday morning, 6 am, you can hear live DFW Toys for Tots Marine Sgt. Otero talk about Toys for Tots! Tune in and catch the details on how this came about and how the Marine Corps has stepped up in the community! For instance, did you know DFW, which includes Collin County, is the largest nationwide Toys for Tots distributor?
Tune in to AM620 or stream live from jpanddrb.com or on your smartphone on the tune in app!
So very proud to be a part of this worldwide organization!

http://www.kvceradio.com/listen-live.html

09/17/2015

Today your $25 donation can make a huge difference!

North Texas Giving Day is the nation’s largest community-wide online giving event, raising more than $86 million for the North Texas community since 2009. Give to your favorite nonprofits on Sept. 17 from 6am – Midnight.

09/14/2015

LARGE organizations get donations all year long. TODAY is a day for our SMALL, community organization to be a focus! And, to DOUBLE our donations! Every dollar we receive will be matched! PLEASE donate to us TODAY! As we work daily to give families the tools they need to grow and become strong!

http://www.northtexasgivingday.org//strengthening-families-of-north-texas

09/09/2015

We are so excited planning and organizing our 2016 "McKinney with a Twist" Art contest and Workshop! Beginning in January, rules and details will be announced for McKinney residents, ages 8-18! All art will be on public display at the Workshop scheduled in April. The workshop will include topics "Art Therapy" "Art of Observation" "Communication through Art" and "Play Therapy"! Because CEU's will be earned attending this event, we expect a huge turnout! Thank you City of McKinney for your support!
Here is just a few of the Frisco contestants from 2011 that were on display at our "Under the Stars" held at Bonnie Ruth's Cafe!

Free way to know what is going on in your neighborhood!

08/15/2015

Join the free private social network for your neighborhood.

Free way to know what is going on in your neighborhood!

Over 62,000 communities across the U.S. are using Nextdoor to strengthen their neighborhoods.

Hope you can join us tonight - Learn a great way to reduce stress in your life!

06/15/2015

For adults, coloring invites creativity and brings comfort

Hope you can join us tonight - Learn a great way to reduce stress in your life!

Coloring for adults is an activity surging in popularity; it engages your senses and can even ease grief.

06/14/2015

Had a fantastic Judge Payton Scholarship meeting today! With the support of Plano West Rotary, we will be able to serve/support 8 possibly 9 Collin County "at-risk" students! This is the type of meetings I enjoy, everyone leaves knowing we are making a difference!

06/12/2015

With the support we have received from Junior League of Collin County and City of Plano, we continue to serve!
Our support is not depended on government funding but community support. And with that community support we provide successful service!
We are grateful for the continued support from Plano West Rotary and Plano Early Lions Club; providing healthier solutions!
Meeting with our Programs Director, our schedule is full not only for 2015 but continues through 2016! Thank you Collin County!

06/01/2015

planotx.swagit.com

As
host for the Plano Memorial Day event, we remember the families who have lost their loved ones:

05/18/2015

We hope you join us May 25, 2015!

Amazing weather for our 7th annual "Ride for Relief"!

04/29/2015

Ride for Relief 2015

Amazing weather for our 7th annual "Ride for Relief"!

Annual motorcycle rally organized by Strengthening Families of North Texas to assist in child abuse prevention and intervention

04/16/2015

Ride for Relief

7th Annual RIDE FOR RELIEF coming up, register now for free t-shirts!

Benefiting "Strengthening Families of North Texas

7th Annual RIDE FOR RELIEF April 25th! You do not have to ride a motorcycle to join in the fun! Live auction items whi...

04/16/2015

Ride for Relief 2013

7th Annual RIDE FOR RELIEF April 25th! You do not have to ride a motorcycle to join in the fun! Live auction items which include a package date - 2 concert tickets to Earth, Wind and Fire, Lexus for the day and dinner before the concert at Macaroni Grill! Fossil watches, 4 Seaworld tickets, just to name a few!

The 5th Annual Ride for Relief in Collin County, Texas

04/10/2015

FREE

Legal Aid Clinics 2015!

By Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas

For more info call: (972) 542-9405 or (800) 906-3045

Get help with:

· Education - discipline, special education, access, vocation

· Housing - tenants’ rights and home ownership

· Family law - domestic violence, divorce, custody, child support, guardianship

· Public benefits - social security, disability, Medicaid, food stamps

· Consumer/finance - bankruptcy, collections, contracts/warranties, public utilities

· Wills/probate - estate planning, advance directives, powers of attorney, affidavits of heirship

· Employment - discrimination, wage claims, taxes

(Sorry, NO Criminal or Immigration)

Every 3rd Thursday of the Month

April 16th, May 21st, June 18th, July 16th , August 20th

St. Andrew United Methodist Church

5801 W. Plano Pkwy.

Plano, TX.

(Enter from Mira Vista St. north side parking lot)

5:00 - 7:30 pm

Clinic Tips:

· For eligibility requirements go to: http://www.lanwt.org/apply_eligibility.asp

· Gather up all relevant documents including any court documents, contracts, leases, bank statements and income verifying documents and bring with you

· Plan to complete the application process and to speak with an attorney if an appropriate one is available

· A light dinner is served

03/06/2015

Preparing once again for our "Ride for Relief" event April 25, 2015! Need volunteers and riders!

02/03/2015

When you donate to Strengthening Families of North Texas, you are not only investing in your community, you are also providing healthier solutions to families! Please go to our website, www.sfntx.org, and make a donation, we have families signed up for our programs and we need your support!

01/29/2015

Wow with January 2015 almost over, looking forward to the rest of the year! Ending 2014 with 83 volunteers, providing 867 hours, we were able to serve this past holiday season 749 families! Thank you ECI/Lifepath, Region 10, Plano ISD, Life Central Church, Transamerica, Seven Loaves and all the youth groups and citizens of Collin County! Partnering this year with an awesome organization, we are focused on continuing our momentum!

12/23/2014

I can not thank Life Central Church enough for providing our distribution location this year! However, just as excited that Kerry Davis is already working on next year's location!

12/23/2014

Serving families, it's what we do!

Address

Plano, TX
75023

Telephone

(972) 867-9470

Website

http://www.sfntx.org/

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