Parent Information and Resource Center. In cooperation with the Early Childhood Training Center (ECTC), FRCCN coordinates a statewide, free—loan library of print, audio and video materials geared to parents. Items can be checked out online through the ECTC Media Center or by calling 402.223.6040. We have also compiled a listing of online parenting resources you may find interesting and helpful.

Family Resource Line — 402.223.6040. In addition to print materials, FRCCN operates a statewide number to offer information on parenting, a child’s growth, school success, and other family needs. Our staff can talk you through problems you may be having with your child or help you communicate with professionals about your child. We can generally refer you to a local family resource center or other family support program to assist you. Our hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. central time. Voice mail is available when we cannot answer the phone. Calls will be returned as soon as possible. You can also email us.

Family Support. Family support is not a program. It is a philosophy. Family support seeks to strengthen and empower families and communities so they can foster the optimal development of children, youth and adult family members. Family support involves a commitment to change all services by making them available to all families, not just those "at risk". It emphasizes prevention — not crisis intervention — as the best means to help families. There are nine Principles of Family Support Practice. A print copy of the FRCCN Family Support Module is available online or through the Parent Information and Resource Center at 402.223.6040.

Mentoring for Family Resource Centers. We know that the best source of information on developing programs and services can be your colleagues. Therefore, FRCCN offers mentoring services to local family resource centers. Mentors can provide phone consultations, share various forms and documents used in governance or programming, give tips on securing funding, schedule a site-visit to another FRC, assist with core family support components, or provide other assistance to address your current needs. The mentoring program is designed to be flexible to best meet the needs of both parties. If you are interested in being assigned a mentor or would be willing to serve as a mentor, please contact us by phone at 402.223.6040 or email.

Translation Services. FRCCN makes every effort to ensure parents with limited English proficiency can access our resource materials. When calling the Family Resource Line (402.223.6040) or using the Parent Information and Resource Center materials, please indicate if you need translation assistance. Through Nebraska SPRING, funds were used to translate selected materials into appropriate languages to meet local needs.

While visiting this website, you may wish to use the babelfish program available through the Alta Vista website. This service can translate the web page you view to and from English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. It will do this for the initial page you load and for all subsequent pages to which you link until you exit the open window. While it is not foolproof, it may assist non-English proficient readers to successfully negotiate this site.

Nebraska Resource and Referral System (NRRS) Statewide Database. The Nebraska Health and Human Services System collects information on numerous programs and services that support Nebraska children and families. This information is available online through the Nebraska Network for Children and Families (NNCF). NNCF is a program of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center on Children, Families and the Law. Through Nebraska SPRING, FRCCN and is working to ensure information on local family resource centers, parenting education, and family support resources is incorporated into NRRS. If you need help using NRRS, call the Family Resource Line at 402.223.6040.

Parents as Teachers (PAT) is an internationally recognized early childhood parent education and family support program. PAT promotes parent involvement in learning from the very beginning of a child's life and fosters optimal development of the young child. Nebraska SPRING assists communities with the cost of training and hiring Certified Parent Educators. Since its inception in 1997, Nebraska SPRING has trained 26 Certified Parent Educators. In 2002, 15 Nebraska PAT programs received support for a part-time parent educator through the Nebraska SPRING grant. PATs and other programs can participate in a special Prevention for Families training sponsored by the State PAT Office. For information on PAT or Prevention for Families, contact Barb Gaither at nfc1@alltel.net or phone 402.471.3700.

Family-School-Community Outreach Projects. In addition to Parents as Teachers, Nebraska SPRING supported six community-based demonstration projects. While each project is unique to the local community, all implement strategies that help parents increase their knowledge of and confidence in child-rearing activities. Additional information on the Family-School-Community Outreach Projects is available by calling 402.223.6040.

ECTC Media Center. The Early Childhood Training Center (ECTC) maintains an extensive resource library for professionals who work with early childhood programs. Included are the Nebraska Good Beginnings Parenting Education Materials. All resource materials are available statewide on a free—loan basis. Through Nebraska SPRING, this library was expanded to include materials for parents of children from birth through age 18 and for professionals working with children and their families. Items can be checked out through the ECTC Media Center online or by calling 800.892.4453.

"800" CHILD Line (800.892.4453). Operated by ECTC, the CHILD Line is geared to professionals who work with early childhood programs. Through Nebraska SPRING, the CHILD Line has expanded to include support for parents of children from birth through age 18 and for professionals working with children and their families. An information specialist answers the line and provides consultation and follow-up through the ECTC Media Center. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. central time.

Training Opportunities. FRCCN provides training and technical assistance to communities that wish to develop or enhance family resource centers. Specific topics include Family Support, Community Organization, Building Collaborative Teams, Information and Referral Networks, Developing Local Programs and Services, Constructing Family Resource Centers, and Funding Options.

As a result of Nebraska SPRING, FRCCN works with the Early Childhood Training Center and Nebraska Children and Families Foundation to promote programs that focus on services to families with children. Options range from information provided to an individual parent regarding a specific child to community and resource development efforts. During 2001, Nebraska SPRING helped expand access to Rise Learning Solutions'™ acclaimed HeadsUp! Network and their live videoconference Winning Teams SM:Guiding Behavior.

Whatever your training needs, please email us or call the Family Resource Line at 402.223.6040 and we will help you find the right resource.

Public Information and Publications. FRCCN promotes attitudes that strengthen and support families. To this end, public information materials on FRCCN, Nebraska SPRING and family support are available. Several Publications are available online. Most are downloadable in a PDF format. You may also request materials through the Family Resource Line at 402.223.6040. In addition, FRCCN and local family resource centers maintain speaker’s bureaus to provide programs to parents, professionals and community groups.

Computers and Family Literacy. In today’s world, it is important that parents be able to use the Internet to gain useful information for themselves and their families. Through Computers and Family Literacy, home visitors with PAT, Head Start and other community-based programs can learn strategies to help parents surf the net. Once trained, local providers can check out laptops, take them along on home visits, and help parents learn about the Internet in the privacy of their homes. This one-on-one tutoring is designed to give parents the confidence and encouragement they need to use the resources of their local technology center. For more information on receiving parent or provider training, call the Family Resource Line at 402.223.6040 or email us.

Health, Nutrition and Insurance Information. We all know the importance of good health and the role nutrition plays in growing and staying strong. We also appreciate that health insurance is necessary to access many medical services. While FRCCN is not a health care provider, we are providing information on health, nutrition and insurance programs that can help you and your family grow and stay healthy.

Play Room. "All work and no play…" Sometimes that’s how life can feel. So to help you take a break and have a bit of fun (and maybe even learn a thing or two), we have tracked down some sites you and your children might enjoy. So take a break and come visit our Playroom.

Funding Options. Organizations always need funds for programs and services. Yet with billions of dollars given away annually from millions of funding sources, finding the right match can be difficult. FRCCN and its partners may be able to help. Check out our Funding Options page for ideas or call the Family Resource Line at 402.223.6040.

Chat Rooms. At this time, FRCCN does not maintain a separate chat room. There are, however, programs and partners that make this resource available for parents and professionals. Though not an extensive list, we found a few chat rooms you might find useful.