Polk County Family Resource Center Grand Opening in East Grand Forks took place on Tuesday, November 14, from 3-6 pm at their new location in the Senior High Center, located at 1505 Central Avenue Northwest in East Grand Forks. The Chamber of Commerce members were present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, as well as Senator Johnson; Karla Anderson, City Finance Director; and Bryan Hackbart, Superintendent of the East Grand Forks School District. Representing Polk County Social Services were: Karen Warmack, Director; Chuck Whiting, Polk County Administrator; and Victoria Ramirez, Family Resources Coordinator. Maureen Hams, the Tri-Valley Community Services Director, was present on behalf of Tri-Valley Opportunity Council. Tri-Valley is working in collaboration with Polk County Social Services to get Family Resource Centers established throughout Polk County. Activities during the open house included free food and educational flyers and brochures from area businesses, carnival-type games with prizes, balloon twister, Jeffrey Salveson, face painting by Polk County Social Services Staff, and several door prizes.
The East Grand Forks Family Resource Center is the second Polk County Family Resource Center to be established, as there was one started at the Library in Crookston earlier this year. The East Grand Forks School District made the East Grand Forks location possible by providing the space in the Senior High Center. They encourage everyone to stop and check it out. There is a play area for children and families, a parent lounge area, an area with tables for the older students or for community meetings and/or parent trainings, and last but not least, a coffee nook for parents to be able to network with others. The space also includes two private office areas that families can visit with staff regarding their needs.
Family Resource Centers offer free services to children and families in the form of parenting support, community events, and family activities such as Play and Learns and other child development activities. These resource centers will be driven by a parent committee to inform the staff of the needs in the community so that the Centers can work to meet those needs. It is their hope that parents will find these centers a good place to network with each other and find support from both staff and other parents. Many community partners like those who were present for the Grand Opening (Riverview Clinic, The Village, Aluma, The East Grand Forks Schools, Tri-Valley, Polk County Public Health, Polk County Social Services, NDSU Extension, The Lotus Center Peer Recovery Support Services, New Hope Center for Immigrants, New American Integration Center, Area Special Education Cooperative (ASEC), Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), and Options), will have a presence at the Resource Center either through informational brochures and educational materials available at the centers and/or through a physical presence of staff available to answers questions families may have regarding their services. Family Resource Center staff plan to assist families in accessing the services available within the community.
If you missed the Grand Opening event, please stop by and join us for our Play and Learn on November 30th from 4-5 pm. Please visit the website for more information and current calendar of events and activities: www.co.polk.mn.us/frc.
