young fathers and families

the family engagement center

Dad and baby Florence Crittenton Services’ Family Engagement Center at the Florence Crittenton School offers a comprehensive array of integrated services to educate young fathers in the responsibilities and joys of fatherhood, and to help family members learn how to best support the young mothers we serve.

The Family Engagement Center, in collaboration with Florence Crittenton High School, Student Support Services, and Early Learning Center is dedicated to empowering students to be loving, nurturing, supportive parents. The Family Engagement Center partners with student families to support academic success and self-sufficiency.

Studies show that children have a higher chance of success if fathers are involved in their lives. This article from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy explains the benefits of involved fatherhood.

The Family Engagement Center also reaches out to members of the students' nuclear and extended families, to foster family stability and nurture support for their aspirations to finish high school and acquire positive parenting and life skills.

The Center's range of services includes education on infant care and early childhood development, nutrition education, counseling, family events, parent and family support groups, GED/academic referrals, legal workshops, job readiness coaching and more. The Center also features a drop-in resource center to meet the needs of the student's family and community. This Spring, the following FEC activities are offered:

“Cooking Matters” class, to teach healthy cooking and nutrition
Parenting Club, to encourage positive parenting
Dad's Club, to give babies’ fathers solidarity and support
Grandparent's Club, for support and fellowship
Spanish Club, to encourage the proper use of Spanish, which will not only build on their background knowledge of the language but also help students become better English language learners.

The FEC also hosts periodic family events, such as a holiday party in December and an April “Spring Fling.”

raising a reader

The Famly Engagement Center, in cooperation with the Early Learning Center, recently launched the Raising a Reader program, funded by Bank of the West, to promote literacy. Learn more.

family engagement staff

Cruz Pedraza, Family Engagement Center Counselor, has a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico and is working on his Ed. S. at the University of Colorado. He has researched, taught, and practiced in the field of psychology for more than 24 years. Before joining Florence Crittenton Services in August 2010, Cruz worked on the Denver Public Schools Multilingual Assessment Services Team, first as a Bilingual Psychologist and then as Interpreter. His other professional experience includes additional bilingual (Spanish-English) counseling, work with Head Start programs, and university teaching and research.

Phone: 303.733.7686
Email: CRUZ_PEDRAZARUIZ@dpsk12.org

Christine Watkins, Parent Education Specialist, has a Masters of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Colorado at Denver. Christine had previously taught in Jefferson and Douglas County schools before joining Florence Crittenton Services in August of 2010. She has completed several Professional Development Courses in recent years to update knowledge regarding evidence based best teaching practices and Child Development issues. She has also been co-owner of a real estate business for several years.

Phone: 303.733.7686
Email: christine_watkins2@dpsk12.org

Abigail Beckord, the Family Engagement Center's AmeriCorps Member, joins the Florence Crittenton Services team for a second year through the Denver Department of Human Services AmeriCorps program. Abigail has been helpful in implementing new programs and connecting students with community resources. AmeriCorps has provided her with the opportunity to do significant career exploration and extensive professional development. After her service term, Abigail plans to return to college to earn a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and continue her commitment to service through community involvement and volunteering.

Phone: 303.733.7686
Email: ABIGAIL_BECKORD@dpsk12.org

support the family engagement center!

young dads and families support teen moms

Nutrition Class

Cooking Class
Learning to cook healthy meals

Eating
Tasting the results

Dad and son
FEC Family Holiday Party