The philosophy behind the concept of family support is based upon the best practice models as demonstrated on a national basis. Principles and Quality Standards are the foundation of all programming and initiatives of the Family Support & Resource Centers in Hillsborough County:

The Nine Principles of Family Support Practice

1. Staff and families work together in relationships based on equality and respect.
2. Staff enhance families’ capacity to support the growth and development of all family members – adults, youth and children.
3. Families are resources to their own members, to other families, to programs, and to communities.
4. Programs affirm and strengthen families’ cultural, racial, and linguistic identities and enhance their ability to function in a multicultural society.
5. Programs are embedded in their communities and contribute to the community-building process.
6. Programs advocate with families for services and systems that are fair, responsive, and accountable to the families served.
7. Practitioners work with families to mobilize formal and informal resources to support family development.
8. Programs are flexible and continually responsive to emerging family and community issues.
9. Principles of family support are modeled in all program activities, including planning, governance, and administration.

Quality Standards

• Governance that includes parents in making decisions about Center operations.
• A welcoming drop-in Center that supports activities of interest to families.
• Individual family support work and advocacy to provide support in family goal setting that may include home visiting.
• Effective referrals and advocacy on behalf of families to community programs and services.
• Parent, parent-child, and child-focused, developmental activities and efforts for both Center-based and individual family support activities.
• Outreach and community education efforts with a strong focus on families with children prenatal to age 8.
• Attention to quality management, including training and staff development that ensures that workers share the Center philosophy and have the practical and cultural competency skills necessary to support the Center and individual family goals.