Partnering with the New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, The Foundling was proud to launch our Strong Families and Communities Training Center in October of 2020. The three core areas The SFC Training Center focuses on include: trainings and technical assistance for youth and family peer advocates, implementation support for evidence-based practices, and coalition building and community engagement. These areas equip, support, and train front-line social service workers and community members with best practice techniques and approaches to make an impact in the communities they serve across The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.

Our trainings with youth and family peer advocates allow for open discussion and provide a forum where questions can be answered on a diverse set of topics. No matter which service is offered by The SFC Training Center, community voices shape what we offer. We incorporate these voices through listening sessions and community feedback with trained community organizers.

Training and Technical Assistance for Youth and Family Peer Advocates

  • The Center’s expert Peer Advisors use their lived experiences to curate trainings and support diverse perspectives.
  • Trainings for the FYPS Youth and Family Peer Advocates and the Social Service workforce provide organizations with professional development opportunities and spaces to learn new trends and systems in NYC.
  • We provide technical assistance to FYPS Advocates to support their needs and bridge gaps of understanding.

Implementation support for evidence-based practices

  • Implementation Science Experts to help other child and family-serving organizations to implement these Evidence-Based Practices
  • Expand the scope and quality of the care to those that need it most
  • The Center’s approach to implementation support is collaborative, inclusive, and interactive

Coalition Building and Community Engagement

  • The Center’s Community Organizers uses an evidence-based community-organizing approach to make sure the work is impactful to support the community.
  • The Center Staff will take part in community events and meetings throughout the City to connect with community members and build out coalitions.

Family & Youth Peer Support Trainings

Check back for new trainings or join our mailing listΒ to get notified when trainings are available.

Free

5/21/26: Navigating & Utilizing Lived Experiences

Date:05/21/2026
Free

6/11/26: Supporting and Empowering Youth and Families

Date:06/11/2026

Open Trainings

Check back for new trainings or join our mailing listΒ to get notified when trainings are available.

Free

5/21/26: Navigating & Utilizing Lived Experiences

Date:05/21/2026
Free

6/11/26: Supporting and Empowering Youth and Families

Date:06/11/2026

β€œIt is our expectation that the trainings can create spaces for us and program participants to have authentic conversations and obtain tools that can be used in their everyday work lives.”

“All kids have inside them the possibility to be great. It’s our job to create a reality where children can thrive.”

β€œAs a team we empower and support each other.”

β€œThe SFC is more than just a training center with advisors” they are the advocates for the advocates”

β€œI want to say I appreciate you so much and to know that there is a program out there that has people who advocate for us (Peer Advocates) is amazing. I enjoyed meeting you at the conference and I really wish there were more advisors in this workforce shout out to the SFC Center for making it happen to spread love and positivity!”

β€œI would like to thank Ms. Dianna Jimenez for all of her time, help, patience, professional experience, knowledge, and technical skill in guiding me to launch my zoom Circle of Security Parenting group. My group includes clients from both New Ground and Emerson Residence at The Institute for Community Living in Brooklyn, NY. Ms. Jimenez helped me to become ready to facilitate my zoom Circle of Security Parenting group with greater confidence, knowledge, and insight.Β  My clients are enjoying participating in this group, and they are growing in their parenting skills.”

“My goal as a Family Peer Advisor is to make sure I’m utilizing the knowledge I have gained to be able to help Family Peer Advocates through our trainings to develop skills and strategies to empower and support other families”.

β€œHere at the SFC center, we demonstrate our passion for advocacy through our trainings and community engagement. Advocacy at this current capacity is about empowerment, and showing people that they already have the skills within them to promote change. I have the privilege of serving as the Advisor Supervisor to the Peer Advisors, and with this, I am able build relationships, aid in creating change, and promote healthy dialogue on various topics we encounter as an advocate/community.”

β€œAs a three-tiered community based program, the SFC Center strives to fill the gap of support and resources in the areas of New York city that need it most”

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