THE FAMILY CENTER INC

RAISING RESILIENCE TENNESSEE'S (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE FAMILY CENTER, INC.) MISSION IS BREAKING INTERGENERATIONAL CYCLES OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA. ITS VISION IS CREATING RESILIENT COMMUNITIES WHERE ALL CHILDREN THRIVE. SINCE 1985, RAISING RESILIENCE TENNESSEE HAS SERVED MIDDLE TENNESSEE WITH PROGRAMS THAT HELP PREVENT AND MITIGATE CHILDHOOD TRAUMA INCLUDING ABUSE AND NEGLECT. IT IS LICENSED AND ACCREDITED AS A TENNESSEE CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AGENCY AND HAS LOCATIONS IN NASHVILLE AND MURFREESBORO. DURING THE 2024/2025 FISCAL YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION SERVED 740 ADULTS AND IMPACTED THE LIVES OF 912 CHILDREN (39 DIRECTLY) THROUGH OUR FAMILY RESILIENCE PROGRAMS; 912 PROFESSIONALS RECEIVED TRAINING/COACHING THROUGH OUR ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCE EFFORTS. EMPOWERING FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITY TO CREATE SAFE, STABLE, NURTURING RELATIONSHIPS IS KEY TO ENSURING CHILDREN HAVE NECESSARY OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME RESILIENT ADULTS (EMOTIONALLY, PSYCHOLOGICALLY, AND PHYSICALLY). RAISING RESILIENCE TENNESSEE UTILIZES EVIDENCE-BASED AND RESEARCH INFORMED CURRICULA THAT ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING OF DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES, BRAIN DEVELOPMENT, ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES/ADVERSE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTS (ACES), TRAUMA INFORMED FRAMEWORKS, PARENT/CHILD ATTACHMENT, ENHANCED FAMILY COMMUNICATION, AND POSITIVE DISCIPLINE TECHNIQUES, ETC. TO ACHIEVE OUR MISSION. FAMILY RESILIENCE PROGRAMS OFFER PARENTS (INCLUDING NON- CUSTODIAL PARENTS, GUARDIANS, AND OTHERS) GROUPS AND 1:1 FAMILY COACHING ENHANCING SKILLS, BEHAVIORS, AND OVERALL PARENTING PRACTICES. MOST FAMILIES SERVED ARE CONSIDERED VULNERABLE DUE TO FAMILY HISTORIES INCLUDING ADDICTION, INCARCERATION, POVERTY, DISCRIMINATION, RACISM, AND FAMILY VIOLENCE. OUR PROGRAMS OFFER HOPE IN BREAKING CYCLES OF TRAUMA. OUR ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCE TRAINING AND COACHING USES SAMHSA APPROVED AND OTHER EVIDENCE-BASED CURRICULA TO PROVIDE STAFF IN COURTS, JAILS,GOVERNMENT AGENCIES,BUSINESSES, AND OTHER NONPROFITS WITH INFORMATION ON AND SKILLS RELATED TO BECOMING TRAUMA INFORMED. THESE ARE OFTEN ORGANIZATIONS WITH WHICH THE FAMILIES WE SERVE INTERACT AND ENSURING THOSE INTERACTIONS OCCUR THROUGH AN EMPATHETIC AWARENESS HELPS INCREASE POSITIVE OUTCOMES. EARLIER IN THE FISCAL YEAR THE BOARD RECOGNIZED POTENTIAL CHALLENGES RELATED TO FUNDING AND CREATED A SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE. THIS GROUP RECOMMENDED SEVERAL ADJUSTMENTS TO HOME IN WHAT WE DO BEST AS AN ORGANIZATION, RECOGNIZING SHIFTS IN REVENUE STREAMS, INCLUDING FOCUSING INTERNAL RESOURCES ON PROGRAMMING WITH HISTORICAL IMPACT, SPECIFICALLY OUR FAMILY RESILIENCE EFFORTS. THIS RESULTED IN SUNDOWNING ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCE. WE ALSO LEARNED IN APRIL, 2025 THAT OUR GOVERNMENT FUNDING (DHS, DCS) WAS NOT BEING RENEWED. THIS REQUIRED LAYING OFF STAFF AT THE END OF JUNE AND A FY26 BUDGET AT 50% OF THE FY25 BUDGET. IN SPITE OF THE CHALLENGES, WE REMAINED FOCUSED ON FINDING LIGHT DURING A DARK SPACE FOR NONPROFITS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ARE GRATEFUL TO THOSE WHO REMAINED COMMITTED TO POSITIVELY IMPACTING CHILDREN'S FUTURES.