I chose my second Compassion Poster to advertise a resource for struggling parents in my community. I worked with Family TIES of Gainesville as a volunteer intern when I was in high school. They help parents who struggle with neglect, abuse and addictions. They offer individual/couples and group classes to help the parents learn basic parenting skills as well as how to connect with your children. Below you will find my interview with DeeDee Mize who runs the organization.
Q:Can you share a little about how Family T.I.E.S. came to be? What was the audience, goals, and inspiration/idea behind starting the organization, as well as how (if) those things have grown and evolved into more?
A: In the 1980’s a group of professionals and philanthropists knew abuse and neglect was on the rise in Hall County. There were no resources to help families. So Lanier Are Council on Child Abuse was chartered with Ga. Council on Child Abuse in 1990. Our agency has grown to fit the needs of our community such a Spanish Parenting Classes for instance. Name has changed to Family TIES-Gainesville in 2007-the TIES- is an acronym for Teaching, Informing, Educating and Supporting todays family.
Q: You serve families wanting to improve parenting skills as well as families incarcerated or mandated by DFCS and the court system. For those just wishing to improve their skills and be a better parent, how do they know where to find you, and that your organization is here to help? How can someone in the community connect a family in need with your organization?
A: Since, 1990 we have assisted thousands of families from the court system, DFCS, school systems, and other professional referrals. Our website has an information request that can be sent to our email and contacting us by phone landline or cell-text is how folks make referrals to our agency.
Q: Do you think that there might be families in our community that are scared to ask for help or to admit that they are struggling and need it? If so, what advice would you give to a parent that might be too afraid to ask out for help? What is something else that you have noticed or feel prevent parents from coming to your organization for help?
A: Over the years of providing services- most are mandated- but we have self referrals as well, asking for help is a barrier for all agencies- because most people have been educated if you ask for help- you are weak- I cannot tell you how many times we have been told- I really didn’t think we needed parenting- then they say I have learned why we were struggling etc.
Q: What if parents need further assistance, like food, diapers, clothing etc.? Do you have resources within your organization and/or relationships with other organizations in the community to provide those things?
A: We collaborate with our nonprofit agencies in order to fulfill any other needs for our clients. Every Christmas we provide monetary needs for 6-10 families.
Q: Besides parenting classes, you offer help to teenagers as well. What are the curriculums, learning objectives, and teaching approaches to those classes? (Mental health, substance use/abuse, family dynamics, school mindset etc.)
A: We have developed curriculums for the needs of our parents- example- children with mental health issues, disabilities, special needs. Co-parenting curriculum is now one of our new programs- 50% of our children are living in 2 homes. Curriculums for anger management and family violence as well. Parents must be compliant in order to graduate but also parents must give examples of using our techniques.
Q: In conclusion, what are your ideas for growth and where would you like to see your organization as well as families and the community in the next few years?
A: Covid was a game changer for sure. But over the phone contacts are individualized to the needs of our client which is a win-win. Counseling is a new adventure and is going like gangbusters. Once our clients graduate from Parenting, Co-Parenting, Anger Management or Family Violence classes- they sign up for PRN (as Needed) follow up sessions- which is helpful for future issues. In essence, our agency is providing a prevention mechanism to assist families not to make the same mistakes and make good choices.
