Embedded Files
Family Resource Centers (FRCs) are community hubs for all families to access supports and opportunities. FRCs help families connect with existing resources such as healthcare, food, and nutrition support or clothing. They help caregivers feel more supported in and informed about the important responsibility of raising children.
Our vision
Our vision
For all families to feel supported and have easy access to culturally relevant opportunities promoting resilency and community connectedness.
Tailored to local needs
Tailored to local needs
The saying, "If you've seen one FRC, you've seen one FRC," emphasizes the uniqueness of each Center. However, there are common activities that FRCs engage in, including:
Enhancing parenting skills
Fostering the healthy development and wellbeing of children, youth, and families
Preventing child abuse and neglect
Increasing school readiness
Connecting families to resources
Developing parent and community leadership
Engaging males and fathers
Supporting healthy martial and couple relationships
Promoting family economic success
The Protective Factors Framework
The Protective Factors Framework
Our FRCs operate under five Protective Factors that build family strength, promote the optimal development in children and reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect. When present, these Protective Factors help to ensure that children have relationships and experiences with lasting, lifelong benefits and are more likely to grow into healthy, capable adults who are strong contributors to society.
The 5 Factors
The 5 Factors
Social and Emotional Competence of Children: Helping children understand their own and others’ emotions, build relationship skills and learn to problem-solve.
Social Connections: Building a network of relationships that support oneself and one’s family.
Concrete Support in Times of Need: Seeking support in times of need and knowing where and how to find available help.
Parental Resilience: Maintaining flexibility, problem-solving, taking care of oneself and sheltering one’s children during times of stress.
Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: Learning how to support a child’s growth at every age and stage
Steering Committee Members
Steering Committee Members
Adam Johnson, Superintendent
New York Mills
Megan Myers, Superintendent
Parkers Prairie
Kristi Goos, Public Health Assistant Director
Otter Tail County
Liz Kuoppala, Executive Director
MAHUBE-OTWA
Staci Allmaras
The Bridge Center, Pelican Rapids
Latham Hedland, Mayor
New York Mills
Julie Roberts, City Administrator
New York Mills
Deb Sjostrom, Human Services Director
Otter Tail County
Alice Meyer, Family Resource Centers
MAHUBE-OTWA
Lynne Penke Valdes, Deputy Administrator
Otter Tail County
Our Partners
Our Partners
With a Whole Family-Whole Community approach, we help individuals and families from birth through the senior years. We are responsive and address needs for finding housing and staying warm, help the unemployed and under-employed find meaningful work, help with health, wellness and family planning, help seniors live independently, help find childcare and provide early childhood school readiness, help in times of crisis and emergencies, provide relationship-based coaching, and help one another give back to our communities.
Otter Tail County seeks to provide access to healthy lifestyles for all residents. We aim to sustain and grow a high quality of life by providing assistance and support across a wide range of needs.
Within the Otter Tail Family Services Collaborative families, communities and service providing agencies work together for a responsive, flexible system of education, support and services that focus positively on the needs, strengths, and potential of each child and family.
The Bridge Center is more than a building—it’s a vision brought to life by the people of Pelican Rapids. We’re a vibrant hub where young people, families, and neighbors of all ages come together to feel seen, supported, and empowered. Whether you're here to lead, learn, cook, create, or connect, this is your space.
Support Provided By
Support Provided By
Investing in strengthening the well-being of children so they thrive in their families and communities.
As part of the Minnesota Multi-Purpose Community Facility Projects grant fund.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse