About the Family Education and Support Network

Who We Are

The Family Education and Support Network is a multi-faceted, regional network of providers who work to enhance the ability of parents and caregivers to stimulate, protect and nurture children and youth.  By uniting organizations across the tri-county region (Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington Counties of Oregon), the Network coordinates parent education trainings, strengthens linkages amongst providers and improves access to support for all families.

Vision

To support, empower and advocate for families by developing a sustainable and collaborative network of parenting providers, resources and opportunities available to everyone.

Mission

To develop a comprehensive strength-based support network that parents, organizations and other leaders access to improve the lives of families. 

Goals

Community Wellness:  It is a community where supporting parents in the wonderful, difficult, and challenging task of raising children is seen as fundamental to the community’s social and economic well-being.

Knowledge of available resources:  to support parents and the community in accessing and being aware of parenting resources and services in the region.

Networking: to facilitate linkages among practitioners and organizations involved in parenting education, in order to increase their effectiveness in supporting parents and families.

Knowledge development: to consolidate and expand the base of research and practical knowledge about parenting and parenting education, and to increase its accessibility.

Accessibility:  to develop a system of support that works to reduce the barriers that prevent families from accessing needed and desired support services.

Leadership: to provide regional leadership and advocacy in the field of parenting education among professionals, policy makers, media, and the public.

Family Wellness:  to promote the development of a positive community outlook on parenting education and support as a means to providing for the optimal growth and development of all families.

Sustainability:  to maximize resources by building collaboration between providers.  Diversify funding and increase advocacy.

Guiding Principles

Collaboration
Education
Inclusiveness
Sustainability
Reduce Stigma to participation in support services
Universal Access
Acknowledgement and acceptance of cultural differences
Advocacy
Supporting Families
Empowerment
Strength-based

What We Do

Resource Guide

The Office for Children and Families has created an on-line, interactive database of resources for families and providers alike.  Direct access for everyone to such resources works toward fostering a collaborative effort in the tri-county area.

Events Calendar

FESN sponsors a web-site that encourages family service providers to list classes, trainings and events available to other providers as well as the general public.  This avenue of sharing information helps strengthen communities by allowing a broader access to family education and support.

Collaborative Network of Family Providers

This group of providers meets to determine the needs of our communities and the ways we can facilitate meeting those needs in ways that are creative, cost effective and sustainable.