After-school activities are offered Monday through Friday during the critical hours of 3 p.m.-6 p.m., the time when a lack of constructive activity and supervision can lead to risk-taking behavior. Most students attend four to five days per week through the regular school year. Programs focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), literacy, homework help, and arts activities.

Family Focus Aurora is currently offering after-school programs at Bardwell Elementary, Dietrich Elementary, Plano High School, and Rollins High School.

Doulas are experienced professionals who provide physical, emotional, and educational support before, during, and after childbirth. A doula does not replace medical personnel such as a doctor or midwife but supports the pregnant participant person with pre- and postnatal care, connections to healthcare and supportive services, and labor coaching. Using a doula helps create a safe environment to give birth, assists with breastfeeding and lactation, and provides a support system for families to help with anything unexpected.

Open to fathers, uncles, and grandfathers, the Power of Fathers program helps fathers learn positive parenting skills and build relationships with their children in a safe, welcoming setting. The group covers topics such as fathers’ rights, co-parenting, ex-offenders’ rights, job searching, child support information, parental self-esteem, domestic violence, child development, and more.

Known as FACs, Family Advocacy Centers are a partnership between Family Focus and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). This program is open to parents who have been referred to DCFS for potential neglect or abuse. FACs provide parenting classes and one-on-one support, and can supervise visits with children who have been separated from their parents.

The home visiting program is open to caregivers with children from newborn to 3 years old. Parents receive visits from their home visitor to ensure their child is meeting development milestones through parent-child activities and education. Activities guide parents and children in sharing and learning activities that improve gross motor, language, fine motor, social, and emotional skills. Parent curriculum includes good maternal or paternal and child health, home safety, food security, positive parenting, and school readiness. Most home visiting programs also invite the parents to engage with other parents in the program through community events or support groups.

Family Focus provides immigrant families and individuals with bilingual services to provide pathways to success including assistance with the citizenship process by accredited staff, DACA renewal, interpretation services, ESL and GED classes, citizenship classes, referrals to healthcare, education, and employment resources, and more. Family Focus Aurora is also an Illinois Welcoming Center and provides comprehensive case management services for immigrants and refugees to help eliminate barriers that immigrants may have. Services include connecting individuals to state and federal resources and information, educational workshops and information, and linguistic support.

Family Focus Aurora is also an Illinois Welcoming Center and provides comprehensive case management services for immigrants and refugees to help eliminate barriers that immigrants may have. Services include connecting individuals to state and federal resources and information, educational workshops and information, and linguistic support.