Family Outreach is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect. Since 1973, Family Outreach has been committed to preventing child abuse with a variety of programs and support services.

In 1972 the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (now the Department of Family and Protective Services) welcomed a proposal of a volunteer program initiated by the Richardson/Plano section of the National Council of Jewish Women. The timely idea of using trained volunteers to deliver casework services was unique. The first Family Outreach center opened in 1973 in Richardson. Because of the continuing need to strengthen families and to prevent child abuse the Family Outreach program successfully expanded across the state of Texas.

Family Outreach Richardson/Plano no longer receives funding from the state, but the relationship with DFPS still exists to receive referrals for mentoring families and parenting classes. Family Outreach is now responsible for the administration of the center, funding the operating budget, providing resource information, offering parent education and providing a mentoring program to families in the community.

Family Outreach volunteers are recruited from the community. The intensive training of the volunteers conducted by the casework manger includes basic counseling skills, the dynamics of child abuse and neglect, resource information and agency procedures. After the completion of training, volunteers work in their area of interest to provide various community services.

The center has received numerous awards from a variety of agencies and several Family Outreach volunteers have been acknowledged for their individual contributions. In addition, Family Outreach has been recognized through the financial support of individuals, businesses and philanthropic organizations within the community for taking action to educate the community, assist families and to protect children.

Where We Are Now

Family Outreach of Dallas
Family Outreach of Denton County
Family Outreach of Clear Lake/Bay Area
Family Outreach of Irving
Family Outreach of Richardson/Plano