The Family Technology Resource Center (FTRC) Initiative was launched in deKalb County, Georgia in 1996. It addressed a district-wide need: too many people in the community were unemployed or underemployed because of their lack of technology skills. The district implemented a unique and simple plan.
 
Instead of locking up at the end of the school day, selected schools remained open in the afternoons, evenings, weekends and summers so that the community could benefit from school resources by taking classes, learning about technology and improving their professional skills. Now a national model housed in the Smithsonian’s American History Museum, this simple afterschool and community education program allows parents, children and other community members access to technology, instructors, activities and courses. The result: multigenerational learners in the community boost their skill levels and partnerships form between schools, parents, businesses and community organizations.
 
While the FTRC initiative has spread to 24 metro-area Atlanta locations, it has retained its uncomplicated structure. Principals or district leaders apply to become an FTRC site. If accepted, local advisory boards—made up of parents, school staff, local business leaders and interested citizens—identify the needs of the community and develop program ideas. FTRC staff identifies new funding sources or leverages existing funds to help pay for staffing, equipment and other program-related costs. FTRC staff is committed to creative financing—Federal Community Technology Centers, Safe and drug-Free Schools and even Homeland Security funds are channeled into FTRC programs.
 
To learn more about the Family Technology Resource Center initiative, visit www.ftrc.org.