Session 1: Overview and History of Family Centered Community Building
Monday, January 6

Major Themes to Be Covered

1. Family Centered Community Building is a community-driven process to create and restore the economic, social, and physical health of communities, with a primary focus on the well being of the families that live in the community.

2. It FCCB is based on the recognition that both families and communities are complex systems, and as such, are mutually interdependent on each other.

3. FCCB is an enhanced, updated approach to community development-- a movement and now professional discipline that claims a 100-year history.

4. FCCB involves an interdisciplinary approach, combining knowledge from such disparate fields as healthcare, education, human services reform, law enforcement, rural and economic development, architecture and urban planning, psychology and child development theory, law, business and other fields.

5. FCCB integrates the knowledge, and techniques from these various disciplines to strengthen families and empower communities.

6. Family-Centered Community Building is a community-driven process to create and restore the economic, social, and physical health of communities, with a primary focus on the well being of the families that live in the community. This allows communities and policy makers (and universities) to focus on core values and define agendas regarding issues like urban sprawl, environmental pollution, early childhood education, youth development, job training and others.

7. FCCB emphasizes partnerships and a policy of general inclusiveness in order to produce stronger community involvement of non-profit organizations, the health and mental health community, business sector, governmental entities, civil rights organizations, faith-based professionals and institutions, education community, foundations and others.
   
   
8. While successful community building efforts are locally driven, much can be learned from best practices throughout the country in different subject areas. Efforts to duplicate these initiatives, foster local leadership and other efforts designed to facilitate family centered community building within a certain area must be done with the community and not for the community.
   
   
9. FCCB can have a continuing positive impact on the lives of children, youth, families, and the community itself, in a way that is more comprehensive and sustaining.

Students Will Learn

1. The theory, history, and practice of family centered community building.

2. A working definition of "community" and "community building" and a working definition of family and complex systems.

3. Knowledge of the historical and contemporary roots of community building and the history of FCCB.

4. The contents of each of the 20 sessions and why these subject areas are important elements of a family centered community-building curriculum.

5. How FCCB activities and knowledge could impact their professional field and how their profession can strengthen and impact a FCCB effort in a student’s community.
   
   
6. This course is designed to provoke and to challenge students; likewise, students are encouraged to ask questions and challenge presenters.
   
   
7. Examples of successful community building efforts.