SWAG Family Resource Center

General Information

This Week at the SWAG Family Resource Center

For more information or to register for an event, please contact the SWAG Family Resource Center at 352-505-6823.

Family Court Packets are available for pick-up during normal business hours. This includes packets for Temporary Custody, Paternity, and Dissolution of Marriage. You can contact the Sydney Self Help Center for additional help with packets.

Paper unemployment applications are available on a grab-and-go basis. We have paper applications with pre-paid postage for individuals who are experiencing difficulties or cannot apply online.

Community Bulletin Board

Interns at the FRC take turns making a bulletin board based on specific theme. As a result, you can visit this page each month to learn about a new topic in an interactive display. In addition, you can visit the Center to see the board in person. Many thanks to Rose Termidor for the April bulletin board dedicated to National Child Abuse Prevention Month!

National Child Abuse Prevention Month Community Bulletin Board

Click on each section for more information.

Child Abuse and Neglect

noun.

1. any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver (e.g., clergy, coach, teacher) that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child

2. a preventable act

Calendar

This calendar includes some examples and ways to prevent child abuse and neglect. Find it HERE.

Stand Up for Children

There’s no excuse for child abuse.

Every child has…

…the right to be respected

…the right to dream

…the right to be loved and cared for

…gifts that should be recognized and valued

…the right to achieve their God-given potential

…the need for unconditional love

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Call If You Need Help

If A Child Discloses Abuse

Risk and Protective Factors

The single most important thing we can do is support families all year long in ways that promote and build upon their strengths and enable them to care for their children safely before maltreatment is even a possibility.

Some protective factors include parental resilience, nurturing and attachment, knowledge of parent and child development, concrete support in time of need, and social connections. #ChildAbusePreventionMonth

In 2010, the Board of County Commissioners, Partnership for Strong Families, SWAG, and dozens of local businesses began working together and joined forces (both financial and manpower) to create a brick-and-mortar community center. As a result, the county purchased a building in the center of the SWAG neighborhoods. Through the hard work and generous contributions of both the public and private sectors, the renovated building became the SWAG Family Resource Center. Then, in June of 2012, the Resource Center opened its doors. Soon thereafter, a playground opened on an adjacent lot.

The Center functions as a three-way partnership. Specifically, the county owns it, Partnership for Strong Families operates it, and SWAG supports and advises it. As a result of this partnership, the Center offers computers and internet access, printing & copying, faxing, books, games and toys for children, and referrals for services. For example, the Resource Center has offered the following programs:

• After-school tutoring programs
• Summer programs for kids
• Food pantry
• Health and exercise programs
• Free notary services
• Counseling services
• Parenting supports
• Regular Bookmobile visits
• Clothing closet
• Codes enforcement information
• Monthly Community Dinners
• Social services
• And much, much more!

Do you have questions? If so, please contact the current manager, Shandra Nichols, at (352) 505-6823 or shandra.nichols@pfsf.org.