New Resource Directory Serves African American Community

CFS Professor Richard Briscoe, along with professors Robert Nixon of the USF College of Business and Aaron Smith from the USF School of Social Work, have worked with many local partners and stakeholders to develop a valuable resource guide for community members in the Tampa Bay area. The Spiritual Educational Network Directory (SEND) lists educational and social service supports for children and families provided by African-American Faith-based institutions. Resources such as day care, pre-school, clothes closets, after school tutoring, summer education programs, FCAT/SAT training, elderly care ministry, health fairs, senior citizen support and health education are included.

In 2000, Briscoe served as project director of the African-American Family Support Coalition, a local collaborative effort of partners in Hillsborough County, which included local churches. The project identified the power of the church as one of the global strengths of the African-American community.

"Every faith-based institution has unique resources and capabilities for providing educational and social service ministries that address the needs of children and families,” said Dr. Briscoe. “The purpose of the Spiritual Educational Network Directory is to educate, communicate, and serve as a resource to promote the large role played by African-American churches in meeting those needs.”

The USF Collaborative for Children and Families & Communities, which brings together USF faculty, nationally known researchers, community service professionals, neighborhood activists and parents to build a better future for children and families in the Tampa Bay area, provided funding for the directory. Dr. Briscoe has been involved in several projects with the Collaborative, conducting research, training, and dissemination activities about mental health issues involving children from pre-kindergarten through adolescence. Due to his important work on identifying the strengths of African American families, he is a recognized spokesperson for minority mental health concerns and a past recipient of the Kente Award given by the University of South Florida for his commitment to the community.

Information in the SEND directory includes:

• A registry of churches identified in Hillsborough County. This list includes a file of the church name, minister(s), address, city, zip codes, telephone number, e-mail, and denominations.
• A listing of churches that provide educational programs and support services for children and families. Churches have identified the specific type of services, their accomplishments, resources and supports, and partnerships with other churches programs and agencies.
• A listing of other directories of community services.

Click here to download the directory in pdf format (1.1MB), or contact Richard Briscoe at 813-974-6413.

The Department of Child and Family Studies (CFS) is a department of the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida. The faculty and staff of CFS are committed to enhancing the development, mental health and well-being of children and families through leadership in integrating research, theory & practice.