Resolve, To Invest in Children and Families through Family Resource Centers

Sec. 1. Family resource centers. Resolved: That, by July 1, 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services shall establish a pilot project of 6 family resource centers throughout the State. Each center shall provide an array of services and activities, including but not limited to the following core services: parent education, child development activities, resource and referral advice, drop-in availability, peer-to-peer supports, life skills education and advocacy. Each center shall collaborate with local agencies providing essential core services in the same geographic region as the center. Each center shall provide services in a manner that is flexible, integrated and responsive to community needs.

The Maine Children’s Trust or its successor organization shall administer the pilot project development process using a competitive award procedure to select the centers. The Maine Children’s Trust shall develop a family resource center manual to reflect the concepts, practices and administrative standards of the pilot project, including performance measures and time frames for implementation.

The University of Southern Maine Muskie School of Public Service shall evaluate the family resource centers to determine whether they employ quality standards for the implementation of all programming and to develop effective measurement tools for evaluating center outcomes; and be it further

Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

Office of Child and Family Services

Initiative: Provides funding for a pilot project to fund 6 family resource centers to provide an array of services for families and children. Of the total of $1,440,000, over 2 years, $1,200,000 will fund family resource centers through the Maine Children’s Trust, $120,000 will fund administrative costs at the Maine Children’s Trust and $120,000 will fund evaluation through the University of Southern Maine Muskie School of Public Service.

GENERAL FUND	2007-08	2008-09
All Other	$720,000	$720,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$720,000	$720,000

SUMMARY

This resolve makes one-time General Fund appropriations of $720,000 in fiscal years 2007-08 and 2008-09 for 6 family resource centers to operate throughout the State and provide an array of services to families.