Through a partnership with Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has enhanced its family support initiative and strategy for integrating family inclusion activities into Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide. Family PLUS strives to help build Clubs’ capacity to partner with caregivers in the positive development of children. When this is accomplished, Clubs will be able to help ensure that families have the opportunities, networks and assistance they need to realize their aspirations for their children.

Although the family is still the bedrock of American society, the family structure continues to evolve. Many young people are left without adult guidance in the critical hours after school when juvenile crime escalates. BGCA recognizes that the hours children spend in a Club are most effective when the positive messages they receive and values they learn are reinforced by parents and caregivers. Club staff can work with families, helping them spend more valuable time together and promoting a more integrated network of support for both families and Club members.

Five specific components of Family PLUS match the identified needs of families who are being served by Clubs. These components, which may be designed to complement existing community services and resources, are:

• Kinship care. Kinship care includes providing knowledge and resources to extended family members  (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) who have taken on the parenting role as primary caregivers.

• Father involvement. Clubs provide support and promotion through programs, activities, training and services to help increase the positive involvement of fathers in the lives of their children.

• Economic opportunity. This component focuses on empowering families to build their employability skills for finding and keeping jobs with increased earnings.

• Outreach/recruitment/retention. By building their capacity, Clubs can more effectively recruit and retain parents and caregivers as partners in the development of their children.

• Family Advocacy Network (FAN) Club. FAN Club is a scientifically proven model of group support for parents and caregivers of Boys & Girls Club members who are participating in the SMART Moves program. SMART Moves helps youth resist the pressures that lead to alcohol and drug use and teenage pregnancy. Through FAN Club, parents and caregivers receive empowerment through leadership, educational and social activities and individual support.

Family PLUS represents a new way of developing youth by strengthening families. Seeking to empower and strengthen adults in their roles as parents, nurturers and providers, Family PLUS works on the premise that broad-based support will enhance family stability, develop caregiver competencies and promote the healthy development of children.