The Family Center

Our Mission

Mission: To break multi-generational cycles of child abuse, neglect, and trauma. Vision: That all children will grow up in safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. That child abuse and neglect is recognized as a serious public health concern that causes lifetime physical, psychological and behavioral problems for children and impacts communities for generations. Changing lives... Changing families... Changing futures Research demonstrates that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have the potential to disrupt child development leading to potential life-long challenges, including poor emotional/physical health. While positive childhood experiences can build strong, healthy brains and lay the foundation for emotional/ social successes, negative experiences often perpetuate cycles of abuse, neglect, and trauma increasing behavioral problems, substance abuse, and incarceration rates. The Family Center works alongside families through group and in-home sessions helping parents recognize the impact of ACEs on early brain development, how to build resiliency in their children, and positive ways to engage with and support their children. We believe that community outreach, advocacy, and professional training is essential to increase awareness of the effects of ACEs community-wide and make systems changes to benefit generations of Tennesseans. The Family Center is a licensed child abuse prevention agency serving middle Tennessee.