Family resource center responds to community needs.

^ • 1 here is no job tougher—or more T l important—than that of a parent. But I no child ever arrived with an instruct s tion manual. It family or friends are not available, where does one turn for advice and support? In South Orange County, CA, one option is the 3,000-square-foot Family Resource Center in the Mission Viejo Mall. Opened in October 1996, the center is a partnership of Mission Hospital Medical Center, its Children's Hospital Unit, and the local child abuse prevention council, Junior League, and community services program. The Family Resource Center is funded in part through federal government grants. "The goal is to assist children to become caring and product ive adul ts t h rough working to strengthen families and communities," says Becky Barney-Villano, d i rec tor of Market ing and Physician Services at Mission Hospital. "We want to affirm basic parenting skills and help families find connections in the community."