Family Resource Center

  • Kris Mowatt, Hills FRC Director
    (319) 688-1108 
    mowatt.kris@iowacityschools.org

    The Family Resource Center is a system-wide approach to recognize students’ social and emotional health and partner with families on connecting to community and school-based services. We provide case management supports to families and students with high, intense needs. The Family Resource Center partners with community agencies to support mental health services in schools where academically appropriate.  

    Family Resource Center staff can provide: 

    • Parent Support is offered to parents seeking strategies on parenting and other issues such as family changes, developmental stages, sibling rivalry, child/domestic abuse, stress management, discipline, understanding diagnoses, behavior management, problem solving in crisis situations, and more. 
    • Case management for students includes providing counseling and support to students, their families, and school staff. Case management for families can include intensive services for families with housing or poverty issues, advocacy for parents to identify goals to manage their own basic needs. FRC staff can also help families access district resources for tutoring, transportation and other supports through the homeless liaison. 
    • Parent Resource Library contains various books/videos for parents to check out on discipline, development, ADHD, anger, divorce, family activities, etc. 
    • Transportation is provided for families without a source of transportation to important appointments such as doctor visits, DHS, parent/teacher conferences, etc. 
    • Referrals and Assistance for Community Resources are available to families. FRC staff can connect you with appropriate resources and can also help complete applications. Examples may include but are not limited to: food/clothing resources, FIP/Food stamp, heating assistance, W.I.C., holiday resources, HAWK-I, and child care assistance. 
    • Welcome Visits for all new Hills Elementary students and families helps families assimilate to the school culture while assisting the family with any needs. 
    • Behavioral Health Intervention Services – Remedial services are voluntary services provided to children who are eligible for Medicaid. Services include skill building interventions used to reduce children’s behaviors that have been identified by the family or the school. Services begin with an assessment by a Family Systems licensed professional. Following an assessment and authorization of services sessions can be provided either at home, in the school or in the community. A Remedial Service Provide utilizes interventions used to modify the psychological, behavioral, emotional, cognitive and social factors affecting the individual’s functioning. Interventions include skills needed for effective functioning with family, peers, and community. Remedial Services can help with students with: conflict resolution, problem solving, interpersonal relationships, communication, anger management, coping, emotional management, grief/loss, behavior modification and self-esteem building skills. 
    • Individual Therapy - Individual therapy for children or family therapy exploring the origins for conflict at home and at school, helping children processing difficult situations and feelings, and helping to manage emotions and resolve conflict. 

    WHAT YOU CAN OFFER THE FRC: 

    • Volunteer your time for mentoring, tutoring, after school programs, or family events.
    • Volunteer to share your hobbies, special interest, or  any contribution you could make to the school community.
    • Donate food, paper products, household items, clothes, gift certificate, and/or school supplies.
    • Donate money to the general operations for the Family Resource Center. 


    Hills Family Resource Center 

    Purpose/Mission

    • To promote increased student achievement by supporting families, school staff, and students
    • To reduce barriers to learning by supporting and advocating for parents and families and assisting them with meeting their family's needs
    • To affirm, strengthen, and support families in the Hills Community

    Desired outcomes:

    • Improved student academic achievement, behaviors, and attendance
    • Improved family connectedness with the school and community supports

    We assist by:

    • Helping families meet their basic needs
    • Helping parents and children establish and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships
    • Helping families support learning in the home and at school
    • Helping teachers and other school staff understand barriers to learning and implement learning supports
    • Helping students feel safe and connected to school

    In addition to the brochure descriptions, the FRC provides many other types of support important for staff to know. The list below is not exhaustive, but an idea of several areas of assistance available:

    • Provide home visits, office visits, community visits as family needs
    • Assistance with school supplies and backpacks
    • Food baskets – Thanksgiving and before the holiday break
    • Referrals to holiday help
    • Winter wear tubs available to all teams for students who forget or are missing needed winter gear
    • Childcare inquiries or child care financial assistance referrals
    • Summer programming information
    • Small supply of underwear, socks, belts, and shoes for students to borrow or keep as needed
    • Transportation for students who need help getting to school on an emergency basis
    • Access to limited flexible funding sources for family bills
    • Welcome packets available for families new to the community
    • Teacher support and collaboration – my office is always open to brainstorm, consult, or provide a listening ear.