Our Vision
There are hundreds of excellent child and family service organizations throughout Stark County. Each one operates independently and focuses on a specific area of service such as: mental health, developmental disabilities, education, substance abuse, child welfare, juvenile justice, etc. While each agency functions independently, many of them are serving the same families and deal with similar issues. The Stark County Family Council was created to open a dialogue among service organizations and families in order to create a broader awareness of important child and family issues. Working together, they develop, implement and evaluate coordinated responses to these issues. In addition, the Family Council provides a public forum for families, organizations and community members to meet on a regular basis to share information, highlight community activities and identify issues.

The Family Council Board of Trustees is made up of seventeen public and private organizations, ten community representatives and six family representatives. Together, this group develops strategies and practices to maximize the funding and other resources available for child and family services, building upon the strengths of our community. Currently, these strategies include pooling resources and developing common practices across all of our service delivery systems.

"The Stark County Family Council will endeavor to encourage and nurture the development of a unified service system that collaborates with families and pools resources to meet the individual needs of children and their families. This collaboration will strengthen and empower all participants to meet physical, emotional intellectual and social needs of families and children, helping all to build on their strengths."

Making a Difference
The Family Council has made an enormous impact on child and family outcomes in Stark County. Helping families stay together through the provision of supports, services and naturally occurring community resources, remains a number one priority. Since the Council was formed, "out-of-home" placements of children have decreased by 58% and residential psychiatric placements have dropped 85% over the past five years. A wide array of supportive services have been developed to assist families as they keep their children home.

By developing the Family Council, Stark County has made a serious commitment to collaborate and hold themselves accountable. Their efforts have increased our county's ability to maximize resources, generate additional state and federal funds, develop needed programs and services, and build capacity to serve children and families.

When the families of Stark County win, we all win.