Resource File Assignment Research Paper Samples

Any professional who deals with children must be knowledgeable of resources in the community that could be helpful. Teachers, counselors, social workers and others need to be able to communicate to parents where they can find assistance if it is needed. Agencies are diverse: medical; counseling; educational; financial or charitable. Knowing what the needs of the child and family are and what is available to them in the community is vital information for a professional.
The primary resource for families is Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. They are the first to be contacted and investigate abuse. They offer tutoring for students, parent education classes and foster care services. They can assist in securing temporary shelter and help families find the types of support they may need in the community. They are a combination of primary and secondary prevention. They are funded through government sources. As a professional, the Department of Children and Family Services should be the first place to contact regarding suspected abuse or neglect. It is also the best agency to call when looking to help a family locate services for any difficulties they are facing.
Vista del Mar Child and Family Services offers a wide range of services as well. They offer counseling for families, schooling and residential programs. They also offer adoption services and services for children with special needs and disabilities. They are a primary and secondary prevention source. This is a private organization that charges for services but scholarships and financial assistance is available to those who may qualify. They are funded both through fundraising and grants. This organization is excellent for providing support to those with disabilities and their families.
The Village Family Services is an agency that targets the Latino population and addresses the issues of abuse and neglect. They offer mental health counseling, foster and adoption services, education classes for effective parenting and a shelter for teens. Their programs are also primary and secondary prevention. The services they are offer are not free but they do use a sliding scale to estimate payment for families who are economically disadvantages. They are funded both through fundraising and grants. This is a great resource especially for those with mental or emotional disabilities.
Jewish Family Services is another resource that is very good for families in need. They have a shelter, offer meal delivery and a community soup kitchen, counseling for families and children and offer services and therapies for those with disabilities. They are both a primary and secondary prevention source. Some of their programs are free to those who qualify or a sliding scale is applied to costs for those who are disadvantaged. They are funded both through fundraising and grants. Their services are offered to everyone, despite religion. This is an excellent organization that offers a myriad of resources to families.
Bienvenidos offers support to families in the areas of mental health counseling, foster care and adoption, medical services and education for new mothers and families. They are a primary and secondary prevention service. Many of their clients are referred by the Department of Children and Families. The costs associated with services are low or based on a sliding scale for
low income families. Their funding also comes from several sources both private and governmental. They have several clinics in the area to access their services. The number
of locations is excellent since Los Angeles covers such a large geographic area.
The Los Angeles LGBT Center offers services to families who have a member that are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. They are a primary and secondary prevention service. They offer food and shelter to homeless children and tens, offer a summer camp and social activities, legal services, senior services, employment services and counseling. Their services are free or reduced fees are available for those who need assistance. Their financial resources come from grants and donations. This program is excellent for those who are LGBT because counseling and services are tailored to their unique needs and perspectives.
Korean American Family Services offers support and assistance to families that are Korean in the Los Angeles area. They are a primary and secondary prevention source. The services they offer are: counseling; education on life skills; intervention for families that are experiencing abuse; a child nutrition plan and community outreach and education programs. Many of their services are free and some are based on a sliding scale based on income. Their funding comes from the federal government for some programs, fundraising and grants. Again, specializing in Korean families helps the organization to address the unique cultural and language of families.
This was a very interesting assignment. The number of programs in the area is overwhelming. There is an agency or service for anyone who is in need. Many of the agencies were culturally sensitive various groups of people which provides a level of security and understanding. In designing an agency that offers services to children and families, prevention and education is the key to success. Working with parents through counseling and education helps to reduce the incidents of child abuse and neglect. Working to prevent is a much better way to handle this growing problem. I believe that many locations is also an advantage. Transportation is tough for many people, especially with children. Working with schools and churches to offer classes at those locations is a great way to effectively reach families in need.

References

Bienvenidos. Retrieved form: http://bienvenidos.org/ Phone 213-785-5906
Jewish Family Services. Retrieved from: http://www.jfsla.org/page.aspx?pid=200
Phone (877) 275-4537
Korean American Family Services. Retrieved from: http://kfamla.org/en
Phone (213) 389-6755
Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services. Retrieved from:
http://dcfs.co.la.ca.us/ Phone (800) 540-4000.
Los Angeles LCBT Center. Retrieved from: http://www.lalgbtcenter.org/primary_care
Phone 323-993-7400. 
The Village Family Services. Retrieved from: http://www.thevillagefs.org/about-us/
Phone (818)755-8786.
Vista del Mar Children and Family Services. Retrieved from: http://www.vistadelmar.org/
Phone (310)836-1223.