CFRC Tooklit
Our friendly CFRC Toolkit will walk you and your organization through the steps of developing a center in your community.
CFEC undertook its Community Family Resource Center (CFRC) project in response to the need – highlighted during the pandemic -- to create new ways of communicating with families who face challenges in accessing information and resources to support their children’s learning and development.
From the end of 2021-June 2023, CFEC partnered with the SC Department of Education (SCDE), local school districts, and local community organizations and businesses to establish at least 15 Centers in locations that families already visit to access essential goods and services. We continue to be available to assist these sites that are now operated by our local partners.
CFEC has since created a toolkit to assist schools, school improvement councils, and other community organizations in creating centers in their own communities. We are also currently partnering with SCETV to build on the CFRC concept in partnership with The Village in Dillon, SC.
The basic CFRC is an information station consisting of attractive physical displays stocked with high quality information related to education and community resources for children and families. Each location chooses the information they wish to provide, including information in Spanish or other languages commonly spoken in the area. The basic center is not intended to be a destination in and of itself. Rather, it is intended to meet parents as they go about their daily life in the community in locations such as a gas station, laundromat, municipal or community center, or local public library.
As CFEC collaborated with its local partners to place these sites, we learned that some locations had the space and desire to do more. Some chose to host book vending machines that dispense free books that children can add to their home libraries. Others added seating areas and educational toys that young children and their parents could use to play. Several sites have used their space to host local author presentations for families as well as other community enrichment opportunities.
Site | Address | School District |
---|---|---|
Belton X-Mart Information Center |
756 Anderson Street Belton |
Anderson 2 School District |
Charleston Promise Neighborhood Information Station |
1834 Summerville Ave, Ste 200 N Charleston |
Charleston County School District |
Ginie's Coin Laundry Book Vending Machine Site |
1766 Main St Turbeville |
Clarendon County School District |
Greenview Park Recreation Center Book Vending Machine Site |
6700 David St Columbia |
Richland One School District |
Hope Health Pediatrics Information Station |
12 W South St Manning |
Clarendon County School District |
Katheryn M. Belifield Booker Washington Heights Cultural Art Center Book Vending Machine Site |
2611 Grant St Columbia |
Richland One School District |
Lorick Park - Parks and Recreation Center Book Vending Machine Site |
1600 Lorick Ave Columbia |
Richland One School District |
Mac N Mac's Convenience Store Resource Ctr & Book Vending Machine |
13386A Hwy 301 Gable |
Clarendon County School District |
Mary Ford Early Learning & Family Center Information Station |
3180 Thomasina McPherson Blvd N Charleston |
Charleston County School District |
North Charleston Athletic Center Book Vending Machine Site |
5794 Padgett Way N Charleston |
Charleston County School District |
North Pointe Estates Apts Information Station |
100 Ripplemeyer Ave Columbia |
Richland One School District |
Oakland Baptist Church Ministry Center Information Center |
1067 Oakland Ave Rock Hill |
Rock Hill Schools |
Oconee County Public Library, Walhalla Branch Resource Center |
501 W South Broad St Walhalla |
School District of Oconee County |
Orangeburg Area Boys and Girls Club Information Station |
1313 Cannon Bridge Rd Cordova |
Orangeburg County School District |
Paxville Community Development Center Resource Center |
10183 Lewis Rd Manning |
Clarendon County School District |
Pearson's Barbershop Book Vending Machine Site |
33 Railroad Ave Summerton |
Clarendon County School District |
Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store Book Vending Machine Site |
6611 Savannah Hwy Neeses |
Orangeburg County School District |
Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store Book Vending Machine Site |
36 Sunset Drive Manning |
Clarendon County School District |
Richland Library North Main Branch Resource Center |
5306 N Main St Columbia |
Richland One School District |
Watkins Community Center Information Station |
204 S Main St Honea Path |
Anderson 2 School District |
Woodlands Park Recreation Center Book Vending Machine Site |
6500 Old Knight Parkway Columbia |
Richland One School District |
Creating a CFRC in your community can provide an important supplemental line of communication to those families who, for whatever reason, have difficulty accessing information online or are otherwise disconnected from the methods of communication commonly used by schools and community organizations. It also sends a message that schools and communities care and want to support families. Children see that their community values education. CFRCs may also serve as a new community hub, particularly in rural areas that do not have an established community center.
Our CFRC toolkit has all the information you need to get started, and the CFEC office is available to answer questions and provide ongoing guidance. Contact Project Director Karen Utter at utter@email.sc.edu for assistance.
Our friendly CFRC Toolkit will walk you and your organization through the steps of developing a center in your community.
Looking for a quick overview on how you can create a CFRC in your community? Check out our checklist for all steps needed to complete your Community Family Resource Center project.