Neighborhood Networks
Since the Children's Board began funding programs in 1990, it has given high priority to children's services provided through neighborhood focused programs that meet high standards.
The participation of local families in planning and implementing neighborhood initiatives results in well-used and successful services. Local families are more likely to connect with and use such services. Services provided locally are more accessible and often serve as a community focal point.
Neighborhood Programs
Family Enrichment Center
Contact: Olga Williams
Phone: (813) 226-3189
Email: FAMENRCT@aol.com
Family Enrichment's goals are to provide family need assessments, service information and referral, support groups for grandparents and children, neighborhood-based access to services, parent education, permanency planning and adoption assistance, and legal referral. This program is intended to support families in which grandparents or other elderly relatives are the primary caregivers for children who have experienced parental abandonment, neglect, abuse, or death. This program will serve a minimum of 50 families in the targeted 33610 zip code.
Palm River POINT
Contact: Liz Gutierrez
Phone: (813) 628-9179
Email: Liz@thepointcdc.com
Website: www.thepointcdc.com
Palm River POINT is to target the community of Palm River with a broad-based, democratic process for solving problems, especially as they relate to the human services needs of children and families. To bring the neighborhood together to discuss and identify their issues, discover their strengths and skills, use the available resources, and generate, when necessary, additional resources to improve the lives of children and families. Overall, the ability of the community to take care of its own children will be enhanced through this program.
Click to view Palm River Point at the 2007 Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Awards at the Tampa Theatre.
Parents and Teachers Advance Together (PCAT)
Contact: Christene Worley
Phone: (813) 949-0109
Email: universitycommin@msn.com
University Community Ministries’ Parents and Children Advance Together (PCAT) is an out-of-school time literacy program targeting up to 45 first and second graders (six and seven years of age) at Sulphur Springs Elementary School. The program is designed to increase student reading levels and provide parents with opportunities to participate in life skills and nutrition education programs with the intent to instill learning as a family value. If during the program a family identifies a need, they are referred to and linked with services (e.g. FASST teams, or vocational training through Erwin Technical Institute). Students receive one on one instruction for two hours per week by tutor. Snacks are provided. Tutors are screened by School District of Hillsborough County’s SERVE program, trained by a School District of Hillsborough County Reading Specialist and supervised by the PCAT Director.
Click to view a Powerpoint presentation on the PCAT program
Network of East Hillsborough Neighborhoods (NEHN)
Who the Program Serves:
Residents of eastern Hillsborough County, including Plant City and its surrounding communities
What the Program Does:
Makes sure that the residents of Plant City and the surrounding communities in eastern Hillsborough County have a mutually respectful group of people with equal decision-making power, but different areas of knowledge and skill, who meet to talk about community needs at the neighborhood level). The Community residents create the conditions that increase social connections and bring citizens together to shape the social, economic, political and educational needs of the community. This Network gives citizens a chance to prioritize the services they need most and choose where they are delivered. The Network focuses on safe neighborhoods, productive schools, neighbors who work together, and others who bring in specially-designed services and supports
The Network of East Hillsborough Neighborhoods is located at:
639East Alexander Street
Plant City, Florida 33563
Phone: 752-8700
