Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Thursday event: Parkcrest Church Visitation Center feels like home for reunifying families

 

County of Los Angeles

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

 

425 Shatto Place, Los Angeles, California  90020

                                                                  (213) 351-5602

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARCH 3, 2010

 

 

Contact:    Neil Zanville

                    DCFS Office of Public Affairs: (213) 351-5886

                   Day of Event:                          (310) 980-7596

 

Board of Supervisors

 

GLORIA MOLINA

First District

 

MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS

Second District

 

ZEV YAROSLAVSKY

Third District

 

DON KNABE

Fourth District

 

MICHAEL D. ANTONOVICH

Fifth District

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

Parkcrest Church Visitation Center feels like home for reunifying families

 

Quality visits for parents in home-like setting facilitate successful reunification

What:

On Thursday, March 4th, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), South County office will host an open-house reception at the Parkcrest Church Visitation Center, as part of L.A. County's week-long Family Reunification Week celebration.  The South County DCFS Parkcrest Church Visitation Center first opened its doors in October, 2008 with the goal of creating a nurturing environment within the community where families can visit their children in a home-like setting.  The visitation center provides families with comfortable couches in warm surroundings, age- appropriate games for children, a court yard for the children to play in and a kitchen for families to cook and enjoy a nice meal together.  The majority of these visits are monitored by approved volunteers from the Parkcrest Church.  The community volunteers are instrumental in empowering parents and coaching the families to practice healthier behaviors.  The visitation center contributes to families reunifying in a shorter time frame and providing many families with a support system and relationship that often continues even after their cases closes with DCFS. You're invited to learn more about this innovative program that promotes safe and successful family reunification, meet families who have reunified and community partners that support their efforts.

 

Who:

Pastor Mike Ellingsen, Parkcrest Church

Michael Brady, DCFS Visitation Program Supervisor, DCFS Administrators

Families that have successfully reunified with their children

Church members who monitor visitation

Community agencies that partner with DCFS to support family reunification

When:

Thursday, March 4, 2010             

10 am - 11:30 a.m.

 Program begins at 10:15 a.m.                      

Where:

Parkcrest Church, 6236 Woodruff Ave., Lakewood, CA 90713

(562) 925-0251

 

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