Family Services Center

A Non-Profit Human Services Agency - Strengthening Families in North Alabama Since 1962

Programs & Services

Adolescent Substance Abuse Program
Anger Management
Both Parents Program - Supervised Visitation & Monitored Exchange
Car Donation Program
Creating Capable Families
Counseling Services
Domestic Violence Intervention
Employee Assistance Program
Families And Schools Together
Homicide Survivors Program
Homeownership Programs - Homebuyer Training Schedule
Independent Living Program
Kids On The Block
Money Management Training
Nurturing Fathers
Pre-Trial Intervention
Sandcastles (for children of divorce)
Transition in Parenting Seminar

- Free Tax Filing Assistance - Feb. thru April
Training Center

Family Resources

Most services are free of charge. Any fees that must be charged, for some services, are based on ability to pay.

Both Parents: Supervised Visitation, Monitored Exchange and Mediation Programs - Designed for children and their separated or divorced parents who have been involved in an abusive relationship or where conflict has occurred during visitation. Both Parents provides a safe, positive, healthy and neutral environment where children and their parents can be assured that the supervised exchange or visitation will be conflict free. It allows children to develop and/or maintain relationships with both parents, which has proven to be an essential element in the healthy growth, development and stability of children and their families. We offer the following:

-One-on-one supervision: a supervisor can both observe and hear the details of the interaction between parents and children.

-Therapeutic supervised visitation: a therapist observes the visitation and provides counseling or briefing as necessary.

-Monitored Exchange: a supervised transfer service.

-Court Ordered Mediation: negotiation facilitating the development of a long-term Parenting Plan Agreement between parents in conflict over their children

Kids on the Block - Child sized puppets teach tolerance, diversity and life lessons to elementary school students. Anti-bullying and bereavement programs are also available. Over 13,000 students in Madison County learn from these educational performances each year.

Families and Schools Together (F.A.S.T.) - Collaborative, community-based, whole family, early prevention program. Research on play therapy, family communication techniques, stress reduction through group support, and a strategy of parent empowerment provides the program’s foundation. FAST consists of eight weeks of carefully orchestrated, experiential, fun activities designed to strengthen the family unit followed by an ongoing monthly gathering of graduated families. FAST was implemented in Huntsville in the Fall of 1997, primarily through funding from the Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama. Additional funding comes from United Way, the Combined Federal Campaign, Huntsville City Schools and donations. FAST has been offered at Lincoln, West Huntsville, Lakewood and Rolling Hills Elementary Schools.

Homicide Survivors Program - Grief counseling, justice system education and victim's rights advocacy for families and friends of murder or vehicular homicide victims. The Center works with homicide survivors as co-victims/crime victims, to provide therapeutic grief and complicated bereavement counseling, crisis intervention, education, and to meet any other needs that the survivors might present on a short or long term basis. The HSP staff may offer assistance and advocacy to survivors in their homes, at the police or sheriff’s departments, hospitals, and/or the district attorney’s offices. HSP assists survivors in thirteen north Alabama counties. The program is supported in part by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Division (LETS Division) and donations. All services are free and confidential.

Family Self-Sufficiency Programs

Free Tax Filing - Free federal & state income tax return preparation & electronic filing for families that receive the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Money Management Training - Free down-to-earth workshops on money-saving techniques, budgeting, credit improvement and asset development.

Homeownership Resource Center - Education and financial assistance primarily for lower income first time home buyers.

Caring Cars - Low-income Car Ownership Program that provides vehicles by gift or loan for job transportation.

Creating Capable Families Class - A course designed to help parents gain better understanding of child development, family strengthening techniques and positive discipline in the home. Building strong, capable families is one of the most essential tasks of our communities today. This class helps parents acquire skills to best nurture their children. Fees are charged.

Marriage Strengthening Classes - A course that teaches the skills necessary to have a successful marriage.

Community Resources

Standard fees are charged for all classes.

Anger Management Course - Teaches individuals to take responsibility for their behavior and how to channel anger appropriately. Different behavioral and cognitive techniques are used to help the individual gain insight into his/her anger trigger points. The course is broken down into anger management, stress management, emotional intelligence, and communication processes. Participants become more aware of their own stress and anger signals. Subject matter includes Understanding Anger, The Anger Ladder, Domestic Violence Issues, Role of Substance Abuse in Anger, Rage in our Society, Becoming the Victim, and Road Rage. Certified through Anderson & Anderson of California, using the renowned book, Gaining Control of Ourselves. Instructors are master’s level professional counselors.

Domestic Violence Intervention Program and Women’s Domestic Conflict Resolution Classes - Intervention for individuals who have committed physical, psychological or verbal abuse toward an intimate partner. This program is state certified through the Coalition against Domestic Violence of Alabama. These classes help individuals recognize power and control issues by showing how physical, intimidation, use of children, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, social isolation, use of religion, sexual abuse and male privilege are factors leading to domestic violence. Individuals are given guidelines for rebuilding the trust that has been destroyed in the relationship. The program is conducted as a series of 16 weekly sessions.

Adolescent Intervention Substance Abuse Program - Early intervention substance abuse program, for adolescents aged 12-19 whose drug use is in the experimental stage or beyond, but whose problems don't yet warrant an intense level of service. Assessments, drug screens, individual counseling, and group classes are available. This program is certified by the State of Alabama and Court Orders are welcome.

Transition in Parenting - A four-hour class designed for divorcing parents of children under the age of eighteen. Topics include, but are not limited to the following:

-Effects of divorce on children

-Steps to minimize effects of divorce on children

-The effects of anger and depression on the divorce process

-Reactions from family and friends

Classes are held on selected Saturdays of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and various Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Please call 551-1610 for specific schedule information.

Nurturing Father's Program - A ten-week, one-on-one program to help men develop nurturance skills to better interact with their children. Some of the topics include improving communication skills, how to be a good role model, parenting commitment, and fathering without violence or fear.

Pre-Trial Intervention Program - Diversion class for first-time, non-violent offenders referred by the District Attorney’s office. Individuals are given the opportunity to make amends to their community, family and to themselves. Classes are taught in two-hour sessions for four weeks. The purpose of the course is to promote responsible behavior and prevent future offenses. Some of the topics include defense mechanisms and roadblocks that prevent assuming responsibility, communication skills, stress management, financial responsibility, money management, drug/alcohol abuse awareness, etc.

Counseling Services

FSC has extensive experience with individual, family & group counseling in the following areas:

Abuse (physical, sexual)	Budget Counseling
Adolescent Problems	Grief Counseling
Affective Disorders	Job or Financial Stress
Anger Management	Marital & Divorce Issues
Career Counseling	Mental Health
Conflict Resolution	Obsessive/Compulsive Disorders
Critical Incident Debriefing	Parenting
Depression	Pre-Trial Intervention
Divorce Issues	Relationship/Adjustment Problems
Domestic Violence Intervention	Sexual Abuse
Employee Assistance Programs	Substance Abuse
Family Strengthening	Youth Anger Management

Services are provided on a sliding fee scale basis.

Other special services offered:

Critical Incident De-briefing
Therapists trained in Disaster Mental Health Services by the American Red Cross
Community presentations, talks and workshops
Professional workshop CEU's for licensed counselors and social workers
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) - offers area businesses assistance in evaluating and treating employees with emotional or substance abuse problems.
Training - specialized support for setting up group counseling programs, human services projects and client training programs.

Testimonials

Both Parents Program - "I am proud that people like you are here for the children that have had to deal with divorce and families splitting up. This program makes them feel safe and they are able to see their loved ones without worrying."

Conflict Resolution - "The anger class I went through is still helping me because now I know how to deal with my anger in a more positive way rather than going off on someone and getting into trouble."

Domestic Violence Intervention - "Violence is never acceptable. I learned to talk and express my feelings and understand my partner better."

Families and Schools Together - "I feel more at ease with my children. FAST opened my eyes to the other qualities my children have. I think I’ve grown up a little more and my family is closer. Even Grandma has grown!"

Homicide Survivors Program - "I really appreciate you all. I know that I can count on you. You have always been here for me. You will never know how much of an impact you have made in my life the last 28 months. HSAC staff is the greatest for caring and fighting for survivors of homicide."

KIDS on the Block - "I learned a lot, but the most valuable lesson I learned was don’t tease people because it might hurt someone’s feelings".

For more information, please call (256) 551-1610 or e-mail.

©2008 Family Services Center - Huntsville, Alabama