Jacksonville Network for Strengthening Families

The Jacksonville Network for Strengthening Families is a program that offers training, services, and support to help struggling families living in Jacksonville, Florida. The program targets families who are struggling with issues such as job stress, employment insecurity, financial concerns, finding quality child care, child behavior problems, and family conflicts. The program framework is based on the notion that the family is the most fundamental factor in influencing lives and outcomes of children, and that families are strong when they are supported by safe and thriving neighborhoods. The Network for Strengthening Families is a research based training and support services program that provides family workshops, which use an interactive learning experience to promote introspection and personal empowerment. The training is based on Dr. Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits” and has been customized for Jacksonville families. The program has also developed strong community partnerships, which allows for cross-referrals and ongoing support.

The goal of the Jacksonville Network for Strengthening Families program is to provide training, services, and support to Jacksonville families in an effort to increase prepared marriages, reduce divorce rates, and increase financial and emotional support of children by non-custodial parents.

There have been three independent evaluations of the program. In all three studies, the program showed success on numerous outcome variables. For example, in the study conducted by the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, it was shown that 60% of participants improved their family functioning scores from pre-test to post-test; increasing to 64% six months following the workshop. Over 85% of the participants claimed that learning the 7 Habits made a positive difference in their life; increasing to 96% one year later. All three studies showed this trend of increased family functioning and self-efficacy. The program has graduated 2,751 individuals to date. The Network for Strengthening Families is recognized by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services as one of the top initiatives in the country.