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Elizabeth Center Manager Originally from Quito, Ecuador, Elizabeth has lived in the U.S. since 2005 and in the Tampa Bay area since 2009. Prior to joining LSF (Children's Board FRC), she worked for a nonprofit Organization in Tampa, serving youth and children in a Temporary Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program, as Office Manager in Temporary Foster Care and as Youth Care Worker in Shelter. Elizabeth has an MBA in Human Resources and her passion is serving the community. She believes that families can thrive when given the right resources and support to improve children's social, emotional, and cognitive skills and build their confidence. As a member of the LSF team, Elizabeth feels blessed. Yo hablo Español! Karem Intake and Referral Specialist Karem, born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, studied Business Administration at the Autonomous University of Colombia. My experience in this country has been focused on working with children of school age helping them, caring for them and teaching them about their basic needs or requirements, always being a support for them, I can say that it makes me happy to see them smile!! ¡Yo hablo español! Mariam Family Specialist Coming Soon Support Specialist Norka Family Specialist (Part-Time) Norka was born in Venezuela and is a mother of three and a grandmother of two. She is a professional Engineer, and teacher that enjoys teaching math. Becoming an immigrant has allowed her to find a new reason for life; support other immigrant families offering them the necessary tools to obtain stability and achieve progress wherever they are. Norka share her time in two organizations, Hispanic Services Council, providing support in the Active Parents Newtork program and in the Family Resource Center, as support for the different programs and activities for parents and children that our center offers.

La filosofía detrás del concepto de apoyo familiar se basa en los modelos de mejores prácticas demostrados a nivel nacional. Los principios y estándares de calidad son la base de todos los programas e iniciativas de los centros de recursos familiares de Children's Board: Los principios de la práctica del apoyo familiar La filosofía del apoyo familiar es parte de un movimiento nacional que busca fortalecer y empoderar a las familias y comunidades para que puedan fomentar el mejor desarrollo posible de niños, jóvenes y adultos. Las alianzas comunitarias amplias están en el corazón de la prestación de servicios y programas con énfasis en el apoyo familiar, el desarrollo infantil, la salud y la seguridad, y el éxito del aprendizaje. Los Centros de Recursos Familiares de Children's Board están ubicados en todo el condado de Hillsborough y ofrecen programas y servicios que enfatizan el apoyo familiar, el desarrollo infantil, la salud y seguridad y el éxito en el aprendizaje. Se anima a todos a visitar para descubrir las muchas oportunidades disponibles para padres, niños, adolescentes e individuos. Todos los programas y servicios están disponibles sin costo alguno. Los centros están diseñados para ayudar a las familias a ser más felices, saludables y fuertes en un ambiente refrescante y hogareño donde el personal y los miembros afectuosos ofrecen apoyo, oportunidades y nuevas amistades. El proyecto está financiado por la Junta de Niños del Condado de Hillsborough y funciona como una asociación de colaboración entre agencias comprometidas con las familias en nuestra comunidad y es administrado por Luther Services Florida. Los centros ofrecen lo siguiente: Grupos de juego para el desarrollo Evaluación del desarrollo Clases de seguridad para asientos de automóvil Certificación de primeros auxilios y resucitación cardiopulmonar Servicios de clínicas móviles que incluyen: cuidado infantil, vacunas, Exámenes de la vista y la audición Coordinación de servicios familiares Listo para aprender asistencia Asistencia para la inscripción en el cuidado de la salud Consejería familiar Servicios dentales móviles Información y referencias Una variedad de actividades impulsadas por el centro Quality Standards Governance that includes parents in making decisions about Center operations. A welcoming drop-in Center that supports activities of interest to families. Effective referrals and advocacy on behalf of families to community programs and services. Parent, parent-child, and child-focused, developmental activities and efforts for both Center-based and individual family support activities. Outreach and community education efforts with a strong focus on families with children prenatal to age eight. Attention to quality management, including training and staff development that ensures that workers share the Center philosophy and have the practical and cultural competency skills necessary to support the Center and individual family goals. Normas de calidad Gobernanza que incluye a los padres en la toma de decisiones sobre las operaciones del Centro. Un acogedor centro sin cita previa que apoya actividades de interés para las familias. Referencias efectivas y defensa en nombre de las familias a programas y servicios comunitarios. Actividades y esfuerzos de desarrollo enfocados en padres, padres e hijos y niños para actividades de apoyo familiar individuales y basadas en el Centro. Esfuerzos de divulgación y educación comunitaria con un fuerte enfoque en las familias con niños desde la etapa prenatal hasta los ocho años. Atención a la gestión de la calidad, incluida la capacitación y el desarrollo del personal que garantice que los trabajadores compartan la filosofía del Centro y tengan las habilidades prácticas y culturales necesarias para apoyar el Centro y las metas familiares individuales. El marco de los 5 factores de protección Cinco factores protectores son la base del enfoque de Fortalecimiento de las familias: Resiliencia de los padres Conexiones sociales Apoyo concreto en tiempos de necesidad Conocimiento de la crianza y el desarrollo infantil Competencia social y emocional de los niños Los estudios de investigación apoyan la noción de sentido común de que cuando estos factores protectores están bien establecidos en una familia, la probabilidad de abuso y negligencia infantil disminuye. Las investigaciones muestran que los 5 factores protectores también son factores "promotores" que construyen las fortalezas familiares y un entorno familiar que promueve el desarrollo óptimo de niños y jóvenes. Resiliencia de los padres Nadie puede eliminar el estrés de la crianza de los hijos, pero la capacidad de resiliencia de los padres puede afectar la forma en que los padres lidian con el estrés. La resiliencia es la capacidad de gestionar y recuperarse de todo tipo de desafíos que surgen en la vida de cada familia. Significa encontrar formas de resolver problemas, construir y mantener relaciones de confianza, incluidas las relaciones con su propio hijo, y saber cómo buscar ayuda cuando sea necesario. Conexiones sociales Los amigos, familiares, vecinos y miembros de la comunidad brindan apoyo emocional, ayudan a resolver problemas, ofrecen consejos para los padres y brindan asistencia concreta a los padres. Las redes de apoyo son esenciales para los padres y también ofrecen oportunidades para que las personas “retribuyan”, una parte importante de la autoestima y un beneficio para la comunidad. Las familias aisladas pueden necesitar ayuda adicional para establecer relaciones positivas. Apoyo concreto en tiempos de necesidad Satisfacer las necesidades económicas básicas como la comida, la vivienda, la ropa y la atención médica es esencial para que las familias prosperen. Asimismo, cuando las familias enfrentan una crisis como violencia doméstica, enfermedad mental o abuso de sustancias, es necesario que existan servicios y apoyos adecuados para brindar estabilidad, tratamiento y ayuda a los miembros de la familia para superar la crisis. Conocimiento de la crianza y el desarrollo infantil La información precisa sobre el desarrollo infantil y las expectativas apropiadas para el comportamiento de los niños en todas las edades ayudan a los padres a ver a sus niños y jóvenes de manera positiva y promover su desarrollo saludable. La información puede provenir de muchas fuentes, incluidos los miembros de la familia, así como las clases de educación para padres y la navegación por Internet. Los estudios demuestran que la información es más eficaz cuando llega en el momento preciso en que los padres la necesitan para comprender a sus propios hijos. Los padres que experimentaron una disciplina severa u otras experiencias negativas en la infancia pueden necesitar ayuda adicional para cambiar los patrones de crianza que aprendieron cuando eran niños. Competencia social y emocional de los niños La capacidad de un niño o joven para interactuar positivamente con otros, autorregular su comportamiento y comunicar sus sentimientos de manera efectiva tiene un impacto positivo en sus relaciones con su familia, otros adultos y compañeros. Los comportamientos desafiantes o el desarrollo retrasado crean un estrés adicional para las familias, por lo que la identificación temprana y la asistencia tanto para los padres como para los niños pueden evitar los resultados negativos y mantener el desarrollo encaminado.

Non-Discrimination Policy Lutheran Services Florida provides social services to all people without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity (or expression), religion, marital status, national origin, socioeconomic status, developmental maturity, weight, physical appearance, veteran status, disability, handicap or any other legally protected status, and is privileged to be in partnership with governmental agencies and private sources in carrying out its mission.

Hillsborough County Check on the Feeding Tampa Bay site daily for feeding sites. https://feedingtampabay.org/findfood Florida Division of Emergency Management Cooking and Feeding Sites: Cooking & Feeding Sites (arcgis.com) Additional Resources: https://www.floridadisaster.org/ ECHO FL sites in Hillsborough County, Food Pantry and Resume Assistance https://echofl.org/ Bay Area Legal Services opened its doors in 1967 to provide free civil legal services to low-income Tampa Bay area residents. https://bals.org/help

I'm from Colombia and have been living in Tampa since 2013. Rosa holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Looking ahead, she envisions furthering her education in human resources, driven by her ultimate goal of aiding people. I am passionate about empowering individuals to achieve their goals, a dedication she carried from her work with disadvantaged populations before joining the CBFRC team. During her free time, You'll likely find her engaged in exercise, travel, or enjoying moments with family. ¡ Yo hablo español ! Janet Town 'N Country Janet is from Artemisa, Cuba. She has lived in the US since 2016, and in Tampa since 2021. She has a Bachelor Degree from the University of Havana majoring in Law. As a former Prosecutor, she used to work with children without parental care, represented them in court and ensured their welfare. In Los Angeles, CA, where she used to live before, she worked at MEND, a non-profit organization, assisting low-income families and helping them meet each need with dignity. Janet is focused on helping vulnerable families and given them the necessary resources to improve their quality of life. Nothing makes her happier than seeing the relief on her client faces. ¡Yo hablo español! Diana Brandon I was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York, experiences that shaped my cultural pride and grounded my values. In 2009, I moved to Florida, where I fell in love with the state’s beautiful beaches and warm, vibrant lifestyle. Outside of my professional pursuits, I enjoy dancing, traveling, and spending meaningful time with my grandson. My passion for supporting individuals who struggle emotionally inspired me to pursue higher education in the field of social work. I am currently a graduate student at Saint Leo University, working toward my master's in social work with plans to continue on the path to licensure. My ultimate goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) so I can provide compassionate, effective support to those in need. Beyond my professional aspirations, I also hope to fulfill a personal dream of visiting Italy one day. Rosa Temple Terrace

Early Childhood Service Coordination

BayCare Kids and St. Joseph's Children's Wellness and Safety Center Programs and Services LOS PROGRAMAS Y SERVICIOS REQUIEREN REGISTRO, POR FAVOR LLAME AL CENTRO AL QUE LE GUSTARÍA ASISTIR PARA REGISTRARSE. SALUD Proporcionado por profesionales capacitados de St. Joseph's Children's Wellness y centro de seguridad Cuidado de niño sano: Los niños que no tienen seguro y que tienen Medicaid reciben vacunas y exámenes físicos de niño sano gratis con cita con la Clínica Médica Móvil. Clases de nutrición: Clases divertidas que incluyen actividades que enseñan al niño sobre alimentos saludables, nutrición y hábitos alimenticios. Examen de audición (desde el nacimiento hasta los 18 años) Examen de la vista (de 6 meses a 18 años) Proporcionado por Preserve Vision Florida Servicios dentales preventivos (de 6 meses a 18 años) Proporcionado por Suncoast Community Health Centers y Tampa Family Health Centers

The Children's Board Family Resource Centers function as a strong, collaborative partnership between several agencies committed to families in Hillsborough County. Welcome to the Children's Board Family Resource Centers of Hillsborough County! Funding for services is generously provided by the Children's Board of Hillsborough County . The Children's Board invests in partnerships and quality programs to support the success of all children and families in Hillsborough County. The Children's Board Family Resource Centers (CBFRC) function as a strong, collaborative partnership with agencies committed to families in our communities. The Centers are proudly managed by Lutheran Services Florida Find a CBFRC Near You! What Do the CBFRCs Do? Health & Safety BayCare Kids and St. Joseph's Children's Wellness and Safety Center provide high-quality health and safety programs, classes and services to Hillsborough County residents. Visit your local Family Resource Center to register for Mobile Medical Clinic, CPR/First Aid Certification Class, Developmental Screenings, Car Seat Safety and Distribution Class and more! View All Services Check the Schedule Center-Driven Programming The CBFRC Teams develop, plan and facilitate an array of fun, engaging and educational programs for children and families. Sighting Sight Words, Math Mania, Explorer's Club, Arts and Crafts, Sensory Play, Story Time, STEAM, Nutrition Classes, and so much more! Learn About Our Programs! Language Classes Learn Arabic, English, Mandarin and Spanish at no cost to you! ReDefiners World Languages offers intergenerational language classes at the seven CBFRCs to Hillsborough County residents. Read More & Register! Learn & Play Tampa Bay The CBFRCs are partnered with Glazer Children's Museum to provide weekly Learn & Play sessions at each of the CBFRCs! These playgroups are designed for children up to age five and their caregivers who live in Hillsborough County. View the Schedule and Register 2025 Children's Board Family Guide View the 2025 Family Guide and learn about all of the programs and services funded by your Children's Board of Hillsborough County, including the Family Resource Centers. Read About CBHC Focus Areas Become a Member of Your Local CBFRC! The Children's Board Family Resource Centers (CBFRC) welcome all Hillsborough County residents. Programs and services are offered at no cost to you. From our innovative center-driven programs, to services provided by community partners, to on-site resources such as computer labs and public notaries - we hope that you find what you are looking for! Visit your local CBFRC to become a member and receive membership cards for your family members. Please bring photo identification for adults. Membership is valid for all CBFRC locations. Find a CBFRC Near You!

Center-Driven Programming LOS PROGRAMAS Y SERVICIOS REQUIEREN REGISTRO, POR FAVOR LLAME AL CENTRO AL QUE LE GUSTARÍA ASISTIR PARA REGISTRARSE. ARTS & CRAFTS Arts & Crafts have many benefits for all age groups. It encourages creative expression, boosts fine motor skills, improves decision-making skills and builds confidence. The Center offers a variety of projects that involve paint, innovation, hand-eye coordination and imaginative processes. Arts & Crafts can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Center calendars will indicate specific suggested ages for certain activities - from little ones, to teens, to adults, to seniors. SIGHTING SIGHT WORDS Sight Words are commonly used words children are encouraged to memorize by sight without having to sound them out. During this eight-week course, children will be engaged in fun, hands-on activities and taught new words weekly, while caregivers learn techniques and resources to promote learning at home. Results from pretests and posttests are documented and shared with caregivers. This class is designed for students in grades K-2nd. MATH MANIA Do you have a child in Kindergarden-2nd Grade who needs support in mathematics? Math Mania is a fun, engaging and educational program developed and facilitated by our CBFRC staff. Offered at all seven locations, your child can practice their addition, subtraction and number recognition skills through creative games and activities that also foster social skills and academic confidence. As caregivers participate with their children, they, too, will learn new skills to continue their child’s learning at home. Pre– and post-tests will be implemented to measure your child’s success. Please call your local Center to sign up. THE EXPLORER'S CLUB It is tough being a teenager! Expectations at home, keeping up with schoolwork, peer pressure, the thought of - what's next? The Explorer's Club (for ages 12-15) is an outlet for your teen to meet new people their age and socialize, but also to participate in fun activities that help them build confidence, learn new skills, and boost their self-confidence. We cover topics like coping strategies, time management, basic cooking skills, being responsible with their money, and so much more! Pre– and post-tests will be implemented to measure your child’s success. Please call your local Center to sign up. STEAM LEARNING STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. STEAM learning is important because it produces a variety of benefits, such as soft skills, engagement, motivation and creativity. The Centers incorporate STEAM learning in a variety of ways, for a spectrum of ages. From science experiments and building challenges, to technological observations and number manipulatives. ALL of these subjects promote artistic expression. Please see Center calendars which will provide the recommended age group for activities. NUTRITION & COOKING CLASSES Nutrition & Cooking Classes are for all the little chefs at home! You and your child can join our CBFRC Kitchens and enjoy being immersed in a world of culinary creativity and discovery. Through cooking and preparing food, children can enhance math, science, language, motor skills development and social skills, as well as learn about nutrition and wellness. Your little chefs will gain new experiences incorporating skills that build over time in each class. Classes are typically designed for children age 10 and under. Please refer to Center calendars for recommended age groups for specific activities. SENSORY PLAY Sensory Play ignites a child’s senses, while helping them exercise motor skills, explore their curiosity and learn about new engaging topics. From smelling, to touching, to hearing, to tasting, to seeing, Sensory Play has many benefits. Sensory Play is not only important for babies and toddlers, who often have the time to play and explore at home, but also for preschoolers and elementary children. Even adults find the activities relaxing and fun. Please refer to Center calendars for recommended age groups for specific activities. HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS As community hubs, the Centers celebrate cultural diversity every chance we get. We invite individuals and families from all age groups and backgrounds to learn, share, collaborate, dance, create, honor and enjoy traditions from around the world. The Centers host both activities and special events to celebrate. CELEBRATING CULTURAL DIVERSITY As community hubs, the Centers celebrate cultural diversity every chance we get. We invite individuals and families from all age groups and backgrounds to learn, share, collaborate, dance, create, honor and enjoy traditions from around the world. The Centers host both activities and special events to celebrate. EARLY LITERACY Teen The Centers implement early literacy programs for children who are too young to enroll in Sighting Sights Words, which is developed for children in grades K-2. One program is called Fun With Phonics - it teaches children how to pronounce sounds, then blend those sounds together to make full words through engaging, hands-on and fun activities. Caregivers can then take what they learned together and practice at home. LITTLE WONDERS Little Wonders is a play-based, developmentally appropriate playgroup series for children up to age six. Each session is structured with interaction-focused activities, with caregivers and children as the central focus. From morning welcome songs, to movement exercises, to themed activities like colors and music, to free play. Time and space for parent and caregiver networking is highly encouraged. SPECIAL FAMILY EVE NTS Our Family Resource Center family loves to celebrate with yours! ADULT PROGRAMMING

Equitable access to quality healthcare is improved with the help of a Healthcare Navigator. These services are available at all 7 CBFRCs and virtually. MONDAYS Brandon from 11:00am-4:45pm Central Tampa from 9:00am-4:00pm South County from 9:00am-3:00pm Town 'N Country from 9:00am-4pm North Tampa 9:00am-4:30pm TUESDAYS Temple Terrace from 9:00am-3:00pm South County from 9:00am-4:00pm Plant City from 9:00am-4:00pm Services in Portuguese are available virtually. THURSDAYS Brandon from 9:00am-4:00pm Central Tampa from 9:00am-4:00pm North Tampa from 9:00am-4:00pm Plant City from 9:00am-4:00pm Temple Terrace 12:00pm-6:00pm FRIDAY North Tampa 9:00am-3:00pm South County 9:00am-4:00pm Brandon 9:00am-4:00pm Town 'N Country 9:00am-4:00pm *Services in Portuguese are available virtually* To schedule an appointment with a multilingual Healthcare Navigator, click "Meet with a Navigator" or call your preferred CBFRC. Walk-ins are welcome! MEET WITH A NAVIGATOR