Community Partner Spotlight – The Concilio

• September 07, 2020

Org Name: The Concilio

Our Community Partners are committed to the day-in and day-out work of making Fort Worth the Best Place for Kids® by facilitating tangible programming and services to families in our community that make a difference in childhood and family outcomes. Here is one such story of a community partner making a difference in the lives of Fort Worth families through their innovative work!

Need		How it’s being met
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Concilio clients who are primarily Spanish-speaking only, have relied on staff and services more than ever to provide support and connection to valuable resources. Concilio clients reported they have received partial or confusing information about COVID-19, and so they have relied on Concilio as a trusted source more than ever.		The Concilio team has implemented a case management system to tangibly meet family needs that arise from phone calls to their program families. On calls with families, the staff is, “checking in our families, working to ensure they have accurate health information about COVID-19 precautions, asking how their children are faring with ‘distance learning’, and gaining insight on their current needs, fears and priorities. From these touchpoints, the Concilio works to meet these needs whether that is by bringing food or household supplies or purchasing other critical supplies.”
During the disruption stemming from COVID-19, the Concilio families have dealt with the mounting pressures and burdens of poverty. For many, a missed paycheck may also mean missed meals and rent payments.		Through a national partner non-profit collaborative with the Stand Together Foundation and the Family Independence Initiative on their #GiveTogetherNow campaign, the Concilio has been able to provide financial support with a one-time $500 grant per family to help make rent payments or meet other immediate needs of families to make ends meet during this pandemic.
On top of all that, as “virtual learning” became a reality in the Spring and now stretching into the Fall, our clients who are parents also need homeschool and family support during this unique time.		The Concilio is helping ensure families have proper equipment and supplies (computer, Wi-Fi, etc.) for children to participate in virtual learning (a need that continues to arise on our calls with families). Concilio staff is also walking families through how best to set up a successful home learning environment for their school-aged children and assisting with virtual tutoring for their children as necessary.
In order to maintain crucial touchpoints with families, the Concilio has prioritized parent engagement through existing programming during COVID-19.		Amidst COVID-19 precautions, The Concilio engaged parents through their Parents As Leaders (PAL) program through a virtual platform from their four partner schools. 93 parents graduated on June 11, 2020, via a Drive-thru event at Carroll Peak Elementary School.