Perspectives in Family Support - Winter 2006

The new edition of Perspectives in Family Support is now available. This is FRP Canada’s own journal with current articles relevant to today’s family service programs. Each issue features some of our sectors most recognized individuals discussing matters in family support. You can expect a wide range of topics from general interest articles to selected topics in this journal. Members of FRP Canada receive Perspectives as a benefit of membership. Additional copies may be ordered. Select past editions are also available in limited quanitities.

Price: $9.00
Available in English and French.

The Weaving Literacy Planning Guide:
Supporting integrated approaches to literacy and community building in Canada

Under the guidance of Suzanne Smythe and in partnership with the Movement for Canadian Literacy, FRP Canada conducted a project which enabled practitioners from community-based literacy and family support organizations to create and implement community action plans in their own communities. Funding for this project was provided by the National Literacy Secretariat, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

Based on the experience of this project, The Weaving Literacy Planning Guide is a field manual for literacy planning that provides tools and timeframes for organizations that wish to conduct their own literacy planning process. Groups with an interest in building community capacity around literacy will discover a wealth of helpful information, including examples and stories from across Canada. The guide also includes references to supplementary books, websites, journals and organizations. The Weaving Literacy Planning Guide comes in a binder and can easily be adapted to different situations. Everyone who orders the guide will receive a complimentary copy of the project report, Learning from the Weaving Literacy Project, and a CD-ROM containing both the English and French versions of the planning guide.

Price: $29.00 ($25.00 for members)
Available in English and French (2006)

A series of brochures (age groups 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-4 years, 4-5 years) offering information to parents and child care providers on play and child development. Now with a sixth additional brochure and printed in full colour, this popular series has been updated and is now available.

Available in English and French.

This collection includes 25 of FRP Canada’s most requested resource sheets on topics such as coping with separation and divorce, morning routines, children and anger and how to discipline without spanking. Presented in a handy folder, they may be freely photocopied and distributed as handouts.

Price: $18.00 ($16.00 for members)
Bilingual.

Family support relies on families getting involved not just as recipients of services, but as shapers of services and the systems that they are a part of. With this three-hour program of guided activities, families, program planners, staff, policy makers, and other key players develop the awareness and skills they’ll need to work as a team in planning services and carrying out programs. Packed with overheads and charts, this easy-to-follow guide walks the facilitator through a session that’s guaranteed to be a hit at your in-service, pre-service training, workshop, or other learning environment.

Price: $26.00 ($21.00 members)
A quality publication by Family Support America. Available in English only (1997).

The first in Family Support America’s Shared Leadership series, this booklet shares concrete recommendations on promoting parent leadership, along with real life stories and personal testimonials showing the strategies in action. Part One is geared toward local programs and neighborhood networks, while Part Two targets state and national agencies and programs.

Price: $19.00 ($16.00 members)
A quality publication by Family Support America. Available in English only.

Based on a study of the involvement of fathers in a sample of programs across Canada, this handbook will assist program staff to improve their programs for fathers by: • describing successful programs

• setting out the lessons learned
• listing program resources

Price: $27.00 ($22.00 for members)
Available in English and French (2000)

This manual incorporates portions of the material on toy libraries from “Caring About Families” and provides information which callers inquire about most often, including toy selection, computerization and mobile programs. Also included is “how to” advice on some basic day-to-day toy library operations.

Price: $12.00 ($10.50 for members)
Available in English and French (1995)

This publication is designed to help family resource programs who wish to promote literacy as part of the support that they offer to families. It is divided into five booklets:

• Book 1: Literacy in our Lives
• Book 2: Creating Learning Environments for Children
• Book 3: Community-Based Family Literacy Partnerships: Three Case Studies
• Book 4: Literacy Initiatives in Family Resource Programs
• Book 5: A Literacy Workers’ Guide to Family Resource Programs

Price: $30.00 for set of five booklets ($25.00 for members)
Available in English (2000) and French (2003).

This handbook looks at “parent education” in the sense of strengthening parents’ ability to fill their parenting role. The ideas can be applied broadly, with special emphasis on the issues that arise working with parents in facilitated groups that meet over several weeks or months.

This handbook also contains contact information for commercial parenting programs available in Canada; lists of books, brochures and Web sites to recommend to parents; professional development resources; and education and training opportunities for facilitators.

Working with Parent Groups is packaged as pages to insert in a binder so that you can easily personalize it by adding related articles. You will return to this handbook again and again as you seek to improve your work with parents.

Price: $29.00 ($25.00 members)
Available in English and French (2004)

Drawing on data from the national survey and information gathered through key informant interviews, focus groups and a national symposium, this report examines issues concerning the training and professional development of practitioners in the family resource field.

Price: $10.00 ($8.00 for members) *NEW LOWER PRICE*
Available in English only (1998).

This report includes information about the services and supports offered by family resource programs, provincial/territorial profiles as well as current issues and trends facing the field. The report contains statistics, analysis and observations that can assist family support staff, government policy-makers, corporations and other voluntary organizations in their work with families.

Price: $18.00 ($15.00 for members)
Available in English and French (2002).

This extensive manual is designed as a “how to” manual for individuals and groups who wish to develop family resource programs. The information contained in this manual can help a family resource program become a reality in your community.

Price: $28.00 ($21.00 for members)
Available in English and French (1990).

Provides the most comprehensive picture available of family resource programs in Canada. It reviews the history of Canadian programs, their theoretical bases and the socioeconomic context in which they work. Based on case studies of 15 programs, the report offers a working definition of family resource programs and describes a broad range of program components. The study focuses primarily on the role of child care and employment support services in family resource programs. The publication also identifies key issues and discusses major lessons learned by practitioners in doing family support work.

Price: $30.00 ($25.00 for members)
Available in French only. See Putting the Pieces Together on page 6 for English chapters (1998).

Discovering Our Capacities contrasts the philosophies and perspectives of the formal service delivery system with that of more informal community support systems. This study puts forward the idea that capacity building takes place more readily in an environment that is nurturing, accepting and supportive and that meets the social and emotional needs of the individual.

Price: $15.00 ($12.00 for members)
Available in English only (2002).

Every Voice Counts describes in detail how you can plan and host a one to three day Shared Leadership event that results in a concrete Consensus Document: a grant proposal, program or business plan, piece of legislation – whatever you need to make change happen. Sample agendas, tracking and planning charts, tip boxes, and other tools make this an all-in-one event planner. Color coding makes it easy for neighborhoods, programs, and state or national organizations to find tools customized for them.

Price: $31.00 ($25.00 members)
A quality publication by Family Support America. Available in English only (2003).

This video series celebrates the diversity, scope and value of family resource programs across Canada. Told through beautiful images and in the voices of parents and staff, the series reflects how family resource programs support and strengthen both families and communities.

• Video 1: Supporting Communities
• Video 2: Supporting Babies
• Video 3: Supporting Early Years
• Video 4: Supporting Families

Price: $65.00 each or $200.00 for the complete series of four.
Available in English and French (1993).

For the past 20 years, the Family Support America has provided A-to-Z technical assistance, or TA, to thousands of family support centers, networks, and agencies nationwide – helping them get answers to questions that impact their ability to strengthen and support families. Now, they have gathered these critical questions and a multitude of solutions into the reference that the field has been asking for. Grounded in the Principles of Family Support Practice, Family Support Centers – A Program Manager’s Toolkit is TA in a box - on your bookshelf.

• Volume I: Program Planning & Evaluation
• Volume II: Managing Ongoing Operations
• Volume III: The Power of Partnership

Price: $98.00 ($78.00 members)
A quality publication by Family Support America. Available in English only (2000).

The principles, guidelines and practices in Guidelines for Family Support Practice have touched families and the programs that serve them in profound ways. The 2nd edition has not changed those core concepts of strengthening and supporting families and communities – just added pages and pages of practical tools that help you take your practice even further. This tool is available in CD-ROM format only.

Price: $30.00 ($24.00 members)
A quality publication by Family Support America. Available in English only (1996, 2001).

A complete guide based on the practical experience of Canadian family resource programs, containing hundreds of ideas and tips to help you: assess current and potential facilities; find low-cost space in the community; raise funds for capital projects; plan and design space to accommodate the needs of your programs and program participants; work with contractors, architects and others on renovation and construction projects; involve volunteers; negotiate leases and insurance coverage. Contains technical drawings, checklists and forms, as well as an extensive bibliography for further resources.

Price: $28.00 ($24.00 for members)
Available in English and French (1999).

Putting the Pieces Together
A Conceptual Framework for Family Support Practice
by John Malcolmson

This kit folder includes several components of a conceptual framework for family support practice.

• a 24-page booklet which describes the relationships between the definition of family support, the guiding principles, quality or valued practices, desired outcomes and evaluation
• laminated 8 ½ x 11 posters entitled “What is a Family Support Program?” and “The Guiding Principles of Family Support”
• a 12-page booklet entitled “Professional Development Opportunities for Family Support Practitioners”
• a diskette containing the full text of seven chapters from Case Studies of Canadian Family Resource Programs.

Price: $18.00 ($15.00 for members)
Available in English and French (2002).

This handy 64-page coil-bound book explains in clear and simple terms the ins and outs of liability for community organizations. Sections focus on responsibilities of the not-for-profit Board of Directors, managing risk, and understanding insurance concepts and jargon. Options and checklists will assist programs to ensure that their risk management policies and procedures are sound.

Price: $18.00 ($15.00 for members)
Available in English and French (2002).

This report reflects current experience around the provision of comprehensive services for families in Canada. Dr. John Malcolmson gathered information from several sources in order to find out about integrated approaches that are already being employed in Canadian communities and to make recommendations for improving effectiveness in service delivery. Synergy gives a fresh and immediate picture of community collaboration in action. You will learn about the factors that make service integration work, the benefits as perceived by participants, practitioner and funders, the factors that contribute to positive collaborations, and the factors that impede success.

Price: $32.00 ($27.00 members)
Available in English and French (2004).

Based on Canada-wide consultations with family resource practitioners, child welfare staff, parents and others, this publication reports both the frustrations and the opportunities that arise when family resource programs work with families that are also involved with child welfare agencies. Many strategies for strengthening working relationships between these sectors are included and real-life success stories illustrate positive partnerships. Good practices for family resource programs in relation to child welfare issues are described. The text is supplemented with tables, charts, checklists and quotes from surveys and focus groups. 104 pages, spiral-bound

Price: $25.00 ($20.00 for members)
Available in English and French (2002).

This guide was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of its effort to implement the Family Preservation and Support Services Program. Detailed profiles of 25 family support programs (not found in Programs to Strengthen Families) including nuts-and-bolts information on budgets and funding sources, staff titles and salaries, and service components and costs are enhanced by a description of each program in action and stirring testimonials from participants.

Price: $6.00
A quality publication by Family Support America. Available in English only (1994).

This 200-page manual guides family resource programs through a participatory evaluation method using a six step process. It includes extensive background information, quotations from program practitioners, a glossary, examples, sample tools and a comprehensive annotated bibliography.

Price: $32.00 ($28.00 for members)
Available in English and French (1998).

For more than a decade, How Are We Doing? A Program Self-Assessment Toolkit has helped programs work to systematically assess their own performance in any-or-all of 10 areas: governance, outreach/engaging families, programs and activities, parent education and child development, working one-on-one with families, relationships with the community, center environment, home visiting, staff roles and capacities, and monitoring and evaluation. Now, the accompanying software is better than ever: just insert the self-start CD-ROM to create customized reports on your program’s strengths and needs! Easy to use, the new software also lets you import or export a variety of file formats-all you need is a PC operating with Windows 98, 2000 or XP.

Price: $116.00 ($98.00 members)
A quality publication by Family Support America. Available in English only (1998).

Whether you are a novice or have years of experience in strategic planning, this guide –packed with examples, sample documents, and concrete steps-is a valuable addition to your tool kit. Based on Family Support America’s experience assisting local programs, planners, and community residents, this complete, easy-to-use manual walks you through the process of getting the important information you need about your community – including hidden resources. Highly acclaimed as a strengths-based, family-and-community-empowering resource, this spiral-bound guide includes sample surveys including a new family survey, data-collection worksheets, and progress charts. Customize many of them with the companion diskette (Mac or DOS). A natural companion to How Are We Doing?

Price: $43.00 ($35.00 members)
A quality publication by Family Support America. Available in English only (1998)

In this report, Dr. Gabor describes the current problems facing family resource programs in relation to evaluation and suggests numerous ideas for moving forward towards approaches that are more compatible with the principles and practices of the field.

Price: $18.00 ($15.00 for members)
Available in English and French (2003).

A basic part of the operations of a family resource program is the development and application of its policies and procedures. This manual guides you through the process of creating such procedures and its deployment. The Human Resources Manual covers vital issues such as the role of the Board and Executive Director, basic employment standards, salaries and benefits, professional development, conflict resolution, and much more. It is an indispensable tool for any organization developing or redeveloping its policies and procedures. CD not included.

Book: $59.00 ($49.00 members)
CD-ROM: $69.00 ($59.00 members)
Both: $109.00 ($99.00 members)
A quality publication by the Metro Association of Family Resource Programs. Available in English only (2005).

Perspectives in Family Support is FRP Canada’s own journal with current articles relevant to today’s family service programs. Each issue features some of our sectors most recognized individuals discussing matters in family support. You can expect a wide range of topics from general interest articles to selected topics in this journal. Members of FRP Canada receive Perspectives as a benefit of membership. Additional copies may be ordered.

Price: $9.00
Available in English and French.

FRP Canada is pleased to publish Play & Parenting Connections, a quarterly newsletter recognizing its members’ and the sector’s achievements. This newsletter features the latest news on family support and on FRP Canada. Members of FRP Canada receive Parenting & Play Connections as a benefit of membership. Additional copies may ordered.

Price: $5.00
Subject to availability. Bilingual.