The Center : AmeriCorps : Programs : Birth & Beyond

Child abuse and neglect is a significant problem in Sacramento County. Nearly 24,000 children are at-risk for child maltreatment as reported annually to Child Protective Services (CPS). Of that number in 2006, 5,546 were “substantiated” referrals or referrals where the investigator determined that, based upon the evidence, it was more likely than not that child abuse and neglect occurred. In 2006, Sacramento County residents identified child abuse and neglect as the number one child priority from a list of 45. According to an analysis of an array of countywide and zip code level data sources, there are 8 neighborhoods where children are most at-risk for abuse and neglect. Child abuse and neglect research identifies parental stress (such as physical and emotional isolation, lack of health and mental health resources, risk of poverty and homelessness, teen parenting, victims of domestic violence, impact of drug/alcohol use, and possessing limited knowledge of child development and parenting skills) as the underlying cause of child abuse and neglect. Sacramento County’s Child Protective Services (CPS) does not provide for prevention services to address parental stress factors that lead to child abuse and neglect. As a result of this gap, Sacramento County researched best practices and developed the Birth & Beyond (B&B) Home Visitation Family Resource Center (FRC) program to deliver parent support and parenting education in the eight communities where children are most at-risk. 



Since 2000, the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Sacramento (CAPC) has operated the Birth & Beyond child abuse prevention program.

Birth & Beyond Community Response

Birth & Beyond Community Response (B&B CR) provides free and voluntary services to families in their homes or at family resource centers. The focus of the program is to nurture the relationship between families and their children and to provide information and support in three ways:

  • Community Connection
    • Family Resource Center Activities
    • Community Engagement Specialists
  • Prevention- Family Strengthening
    • B&B CR Home Visitation
    • Effective Parenting Workshops
  • Intervention
    • Differential Response Home Visitation
    • Intervention Specialists

AmeriCorps members in the B&B CR programs serve as Home Visitors, Family Resource Center Aides and Community Engagement Specialists.

Home Visitors serve families by:

Strengthening and supporting families
Supporting optimal family functioning
Achieving positive health outcomes for children
Improving child’s cognitive development and school readiness
Achieving positive health, developmental and life course outcomes for parents
Preventing or reduce adverse outcomes
Building healthy brain architecture

Family Resource Center Aides serve families by:

Providing knowledge of parenting and child development
Sharing effective parenting methods
Connecting families with other families
Developing parental resilience

Community Engagement Specialists serve families by:

Focusing on engaging families into B&BCR services
Sharing community resources
Providing information and referrals
Serving as a link between Child Protective Services and the FRC’s
Encouraging parent leadership

Effective Parenting Workshops provided at the 8 B&B CR programs in Sacramento County are facilitated by AmeriCorps members and include:

  • Make Parenting a Pleasure
    Parents learn parenting skills, how to manage stress and positive discipline
  • Dare to Be You
    Parents learn how to teach their children to feel better about themselves, be responsible, and how to communicate and make decisions.
  • Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families & Communities
    Parents learn how to help their children live healthy lives towards self, family and the community.

CAPC CORPS Birth & Beyond CR Performance Measures:
Home Visitation and Family Resource Centers

1755 parents will receive services from AmeriCorps members

  • 555 parents will receive 5 hours of parenting support and parenting education services from members during 6 home visits in a 90 day period.
  • 65% of parents receiving 5 hours of home visitation will report a 20% increase in their use of effective parenting practices.
  • 70% of parents receiving 5 hours of home visitation with a history of CPS referrals and/or an open CPS case will have no new referrals for child abuse and/or neglect.
  • 90% of parents receiving 5 hours of home visitation with NO history of CPS referrals and/or and open CPS case will have no referrals for child abuse and/or neglect.
  • 1200 parents will complete one parenting education workshop series through the FRC.
  • 60% of parents completing one FRC parenting education workshop series delivered by members will report a 20% increase in their effective parenting knowledge and practices.

Member Development

  • 90% of members will increase their knowledge and skills, and gain insight into their community and the power of national service.

Volunteer Recruitment

  • 1500 volunteers will be recruited to provide 17,200 hours of community service.

Birth & Beyond Community Response program locations

Folsom Cordova Community Partnership
10455 Investment Circle
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
916-361-8684

Mutual Assistance Network
811 Grand Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95838
916-567-9567

La Familia Counseling Center
5523 34th Street
Sacramento, CA 95820
916-452-3601

Meadowview Family Resource Center
2251 Florin Road
Sacramento, CA 95822
916-394-6300

North Highlands Family Resource Center
6015 Watt Avenue
North Highlands, CA 95660
916-679-3925

North Sacramento Family Resource Center
1217 Del Paso Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815
916-679-3742

River Oak Family Resource Center
4322 4th Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95817
916-244-5800

Valley Hi Family Resource Center
7000 Franklin Blvd., Suite 820
Sacramento, CA 95823
916-290-8281