Organization Overview
The Lewis County Family Resource Network is a 501(c)(3) corporation made up of community members who work together to better meet the needs of children and families in Lewis County. We facilitate communication, community conversations, and networking between our partners. The WV State Code defines an FRN as “a local community organization charged with service coordination, needs and resource assessment, planning, community mobilization and evaluation.”
The mission of the Lewis County Family Resource Network (FRN) is to “strengthen and support the ability of Lewis County families to protect, nurture, educate, and support the development of their children so that each child’s full potential is achieved.”
In short, the FRN is “gateway to the community” because we initiate grassroots efforts to better Lewis County families by providing referrals, collaborating and planning, mobilizing community organizations, and evaluating local needs. The purpose of these efforts is to develop solutions within the community to improve the system of services for children and families.
History of FRNs across WV
Family Resource Networks (FRNs) were born out of the Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Families, which was created by then Governor Gaston Caperton in 1990 to share resources, build community capacity, and develop collaborative partnerships. The Cabinet wanted to take these same components and develop them at a community level, which was the inspiration behind the organization and implementation of FRNs in each county of the State.
The purpose of an FRN is to identify and address service gaps and needs in their local communities, and to seek solutions through collaboration and coordinated efforts in order to improve conditions for children and families. FRNs help serve as information clearinghouses for the community in the areas of child and family services. They facilitate discussions between organizations and agencies providing services, on how to best serve the needs of the community. FRNs across the state, while all different, strive to be a leader in community development and asset building.
The Lewis County FRN is proud to be part of the WV Association of Family Resource Networks (WVAFRN).
WVAFRN
The WVAFRN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation originally formed as the WV Family Resource Network Association in 1997 and re-branded in 2013 as the WV Alliance of Family Resource Networks. The WVAFRN is responsive to the needs of FRNs by encouraging communication and collaboration, discussing local, state and regional issues and establishing a collective voice. By maintaining a close relationship with community members, leaders, agencies and organizations, the WVAFRN provides a connection to matters of current interest and importance and establishes a common dialogue with local FRNs throughout the state.
Purpose: To provide a coordinated, centralized organization which supports the staff and Board of Directors of local, recognized Family Resource Networks (FRNs) in accomplishing their missions. The WVAFRN promotes communication and collaboration among FRNs, addressing training, information, and resource coordination needs of FRNs throughout the state.
Mission: The WVAFRN is a coordinated, centralized organization that supports the staff and Board of Directors of FRNs in accomplishing their community and state missions
For more information, visit: http://wvfrn.org/