Juanita Kellems of Blanket won a basket of goodies from Family Services Center in Brownwood recently when her name was drawn from others who attended parenting classes in October. The basket contained free movie passes, games, snacks, and activities for the whole family.  Family Services draws monthly for a special basket give away. Those who have attended parenting classes receive one ticket per attendance during the month giving some the opportunity of having four or five tickets in the drawing.

Family Services Center offers many programs to strengthen families including adult literacy, battering intervention and prevention, anger management, mediation, parenting, counseling, safe exchange, and a class for divorcing parents called Children in the Middle. They also serve as an information and referral service for the communities in eight counties. FSC serves Brown, Comanche, Coleman, Eastland, Mills, McCulloch, San Saba and Callahan counties.

In the parenting program, classes are offered in English and Spanish at many different locations and times throughout the week. The skills taught include consequences, getting children to bed and up on time, active listening, I statements, redirection and praise.  Educator Judy Bullard, who taught the classes Kellems attended, said, “We are not here to judge someone’s parenting techniques. We just want to show them what research says are the most effective methods and to help good parents become better parents.”

For information on any of the programs offered by Family Services Center, call 325-646-5939. FSC is funded in part by TDFPS, United Way and private donations.