Family Empowerment Network
Staying Connected and Growing Together
At Hillside, families are at the heart of everything we do. We formed the Family Empowerment Network (FEN) as another way to bring families together—to offer support, share perspectives, and provide invaluable guidance that strengthens the entire Hillside community.
Virtual FEN meetings are convened multiple times each month, and are free of charge to attend. The meetings are open to all current or former Hillside parents, caregivers and family members, as well as family advocates, youth mentors and interested staff. FEN meetings include:
- Roundtable discussions that empower parents and caregivers
- Opportunities to meet other families, staff, leadership and community and state partners
- Educational opportunities to keep you in-the-know about beneficial information and resources
Whether you’re currently a parent or caregiver looking for support, or you’re simply looking to stay connected with other like-minded individuals, you don’t have to go through your situation alone.
FEN Virtual Groups
Each month, Hillside’s Family Empowerment Network hosts groups that are facilitated by Hillside Family Peer Advocates. Any Caregiver/Parent of a youth currently or previously served by Hillside is welcome to join.
MARCH
Monday, March 4
Introduction to Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families
9-11am via Zoom.
Learn about the basics of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and how it can be beneficial at home.
Tuesday, March 5
FEN Family Town Hall
6-7:30 via Zoom.
Latesha Fussell, Hillside’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Learning, will be joining the Hillside Family Town Hall. Families will learn about Hillside’s work in DEI and have an opportunity to provide feedback.
Wednesday, March 6
Parenting the Love and Logic Way®
10am-12pm via Zoom
(Sessions 3-6, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, and 3/27/24) Designed to help parents equip kids with character. This parenting program is designed to give you skills that can be used at home immediately.
Parenting the Love and Logic Way®
6-8pm via Zoom
(Sessions 2-6, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, and 4/3/24) This parenting program is designed to give you skills that can be used at home immediately.
Thursday, March 7
Caregivers of Neurodivergent Kids (CONK) Group: Using Visuals
5:30-7pm In-person or via Zoom at our Syracuse Office, 215 Wyoming St.
(Every 1st and 3rd Thursday)
Tuesday, March 12
Parenting Styles- which style represents you best?
5:30-7:30 via Zoom.
How to become more effective by pulling from different styles of parenting.
Wednesday, March 13
Executive Functioning Strategies for Home and School
12:30-2:30pm via Zoom.
Video and discussion group: the workshop will define Executive Functioning and provide strategies that parents can use at home/school.
Thursday, March 14
Transition Age Youth Resources
12-1:30pm via Zoom.
Join us for a time to discuss transition age resources! Feel free to eat while we meet!
Thursday, March 21
Residential Mix and Mingle
10-11:30am via Zoom.
Residential Mix & Mingle is a place to meet with other caregivers who have children in residential care. There will be a topic of discussion each month and a time to connect with each other.
Caregivers of Neurodivergent Kids (CONK) Group: Healthy Boundaries
5:30-7pm via Zoom or in-person at our Syracuse office, 215 Wyoming St.
(Every 1st and 3rd Thursday)
Be Prepared When Traveling: Traveling with a Medically Complex Child
7:30-8:30pm via Zoom.
Friday, March 22
Parenting Children with Trauma
11am-1pm via Zoom.
A group where families can learn and share their stories of parenting kids with trauma, focusing on the struggles both parents and children face, not giving up on each other, and exploring different ways to approach common situations.
To join one or more of the sessions on this page, click the link above or email FEN@hillside.com.
Please provide your phone number and you’ll be connected with a Hillside team member who can answer your questions and help you register.
Please note: RSVPs are required five days prior to any group.
APRIL
Wednesday, April 3
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families, session 1
9:30am-1:30pm In-person at our Batavia Office, 50 Batavia City Center.
A program designed to teach caregivers skills to manage crisis within their home. 6 sessions, every other Wednesday.
Active Parenting
1:30-3:30pm via Zoom or in person at our Syracuse office, 215 Wyoming St.
(Six sessions: 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, and 5/8/24) Sharpen your parenting skills and tackle today’s world’s problems with strategies that work.
Parenting the Love and Logic Way®
6-8pm via Zoom, final session!
Designed to help parents equip kids with character. This parenting program is designed to give you skills that can be used at home immediately.
Thursday, April 4
Caregivers of Neurodivergent Kids (CONK): Routines
5:30-7pm via Zoom or in person at our Syracuse office, 215 Wyoming St.
(Every 1st and 3rd Thursday)
Tuesday, April 9
County Resources Presenter Series
9-10:30am OR 5:30-7pm via Zoom
Thom Fadale will be presenting on what SPOA is, what it can offer families and New York State Children’s Continuum of Care which are services offered throughout New York State. (Every 2nd Tuesday)
Wednesday, April 10
Apoyo a Padres en Español
12-1pm in-person at our Rochester office, 1 Mustard St. (tentative)
Support group in Spanish Are you a parent looking for understanding, guidance, and support? Our parent support group offers a safe and welcoming space for parents to come together, share experiences, and connect with others who understand the joys and challenges of parenting.
Tuesday, April 16
Kinship Community
9-10:30am via Zoom.
We are group of Kinship Caregivers who connect to provide support to each other in the types of issues that caregivers face when raising children who are not their own. We share our experiences, resources, compassion, empowerment, and encouragement. (Every 3rd Tuesday)
Wednesday, April 17
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families, session 2
9:30am-1:30pm In-person at our Batavia Office, 50 Batavia City Center.
A program designed to teach caregivers skills to manage crisis within their home. 6 sessions, every other Wednesday.
Thursday, April 18
Residential Mix and Mingle
12:30-2 via Zoom.
Residential Mix & Mingle is a place to meet with other caregivers who have children in residential care. There will be a topic of discussion each month and a time to connect with each other.
Caregivers of Neurodivergent Kids (CONK): Giving Choices
via Zoom or in person at our Syracuse office, 215 Wyoming St.
(Every 1st and 3rd Thursday)
Tuesday, April 23
Introduction to Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families
11am-1pm via Zoom.
Learn the basics of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and how it can be beneficial at home.
The Power of Play
5-6:30pm via Zoom or in-person at our Rochester office, 1 Mustard St.
Play isn’t all fun and games, it’s also an important teaching tool. Through play, kids learn how to interact with others and develop critical lifelong skills. All participants will receive a free play book; in-person participants will receive supplies to use with their children.
Tuesday, April 30
The Power of Play
5-6:30pm via Zoom or in-person at our Rochester office, 1 Mustard St.
See description above.
Do you have ideas for a Group? Please send them to fen@hillside.com!
If you’re interested in learning more about FEN and joining the conversation, contact Hillside at fen@hillside.com or 585-256-7500.