FSC Parent Newsletter

Parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs, but it often comes with challenges. From managing behaviors and navigating big emotions to supporting academic success and building positive relationships, parents and caregivers need to continually learn and grow. Attending a parent training is a great way to gain new parenting tools, strategies, and resources to help your child thrive!

Parent training offers practical tips that families can use in everyday life. Participants can learn ways to improve communication, encourage positive behaviors, set healthy boundaries, build stronger connections with their children, and support their child’s social, emotional, and academic development. These sessions also provide opportunities to ask questions, share experiences and connect with other parents who may be facing similar challenges.

At the Family Support Center, we offer a variety of parenting class options to meet the diverse needs of families and caregivers. Whether you are looking for strategies to manage challenging behaviors, strengthen family relationships or support your child’s development, there are learning opportunities to help you along your parenting journey.

We can also connect families with information and resources about additional parenting classes and programs available throughout the community, making it easier to find the support and guidance that best meets your family’s needs.

Why attend parent training? Because building stronger families supports student success.

You don’t have to have all the answers to be a great parent. Parent training is a chance to learn, grow and discover new ways to support your family in a welcoming environment.

When parents grow, children grow! We encourage all parents and caregivers to take advantage of these valuable learning opportunities. By working together, families and schools can build strong partnerships that help every student feel supported, confident, and ready to succeed.

Nov. 5-19, 2026

For parents/guardians of children from birth to age 11. Sessions are held via Zoom on Thursdays at noon to 1 p.m. on Nov. 5, Nov. 12 and Nov. 19, 2026. The workshop will be facilitated by staff from the Clarence Schools Family Support Center, Amherst Family Support Center, and Williamsville Family Support Center.

Register here.

Learn insights and practical strategies to strengthen relationships and navigate everyday challenges. This evidence-based program model is effective in reducing conduct problems, hyperactivity or impulsivity, daily problem behaviors, and overall parental stress. Focus on communication, positive discipline, and navigating transitions.

Why is it important?

• Apply strategies right away at home with your children
• Connect with other parents in a supportive environment
• Learn from an experienced professional

Nov. 19, 2026

6 - 7:30 p.m. Check-in begins at 5:45 p.m.

Held at the Harlem Road Community Center, 4255 Harlem Road, Amherst.
This event is for adults only; Registration is required.

Register Here. Each individual attending must register separately.

Jan. 12 - Feb. 23, 2027

Register here.
To ensure that this group is the right fit for your family’s needs. We schedule a 10-15 minute call with the provider after your registration form is submitted.

This is a 6-week treatment group based on SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) - an empirically validated parenting intervention developed and studied at the Yale Child Study Center spearheaded by Dr. Eli Lebowitz. Unlike traditional therapies where the child is the primary participant, SPACE aids parents in changing their own behavior to help their children and teens better manage anxiety. SPACE teaches parents to respond supportively to their child, while also reducing accommodations they've been making for the child's anxiety. This approach empowers anxious children to face challenges and helps foster resilience and independence.

The SPACE approach is appropriate for many of the most common anxiety issues that children, and teens face, including:

• Separation anxiety
• Social anxiety
• Panic disorder and agoraphobia
• Generalized anxiety
• Specific phobias
• Illness & health anxiety

If you are still in need of assistance with holiday gifts or necessities, we encourage you to reach out to the following local organizations where staff can help connect you with basic needs resources and may be able to provide holiday support as well if you qualify.

• Hearts for the Homeless™
  Services: Food, clothing and gift assistance available during the holiday season.
  Contact: Please call (716) 876-7346 for more information.
  
  

• Clothe Me Co-Op
  Services: Clothing and emergency essentials.
  Contact: Please call (716) 876-5570 x0032 or email clotheme@kenmorealliance.com
  
  

• The Salvation Army
  Services: Food, clothing and gift assistance available during the holiday season. For children ages 12 & under.
  Contact: Please call (716) 888-6261 if you would like further information.
  
  

• St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy
  Services: Holiday Giving Program - Food, winter coats, clothing and gift assistance during the holiday season.
  Contact: Please call (716) 894-4476
  
  

• St. Christopher’s Outreach
  Services: Food, and clothing assistance available.
  Contact: Please call (716) 504-7124 or (716) 564-9023 to schedule an appointment.
  
  

• The WNY Holiday Partnership
  Services: Gift assistance available during the holiday season For families who receive SNAP benefits, and have children ages 12 and under.
  Contact: Please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 and ask for a referral to the WNY Holiday Partnership.
  
  

• Toys for Tots
  Services: Gift assistance during the holiday season.
  Contact: Please call 1-888-696-9211
  
  

• Tiger’s Den Food Pantry
  Services: Food assistance available for those who qualify
  Contact: (716) 835-0407
  
  

• University Presbyterian Church Food Pantry
  Services: Food assistance available for those who qualify
  Contact: Please call (716) 836-7660 for more information
  
  

• Ase Within, Inc.
  Services: Christmas Magic Family Application opens Nov. 2 - Nov. 8, 2026.
  Contact: email: Info@asewithin.com. Website.
  
  

• USPS Operation Santa
  Services: Potential gift assistance for a child who writes and mails a letter to santa
  Contact: Follow the instructions for writing and mailing a letter to Santa at the programs website.

This fall, our school district came together to promote hope, kindness, inclusion, and belonging through three meaningful events. We are grateful for our students, staff, and families who continue to help us build a community where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected.

Chalk The Walk: Students and staff participated in Chalk the Walk, filling our sidewalks with colorful messages of hope, encouragement, and positivity.

Out of the Darkness Walk: Many of our staff members also participated in the Out of the Darkness Walk, joining together to raise awareness and show support for suicide prevention and mental health.

Unity Day: We celebrated Unity Day by coming together in a powerful visual show of support. Students and staff wore orange to take a stand against bullying and show our commitment to kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Seeing our school community united in orange was a wonderful reminder that everyone belongs and has a role in creating a safe and welcoming school environment.

Students created messages of hope.

Exciting things are happening in the space where our Family Support Center is located!

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Main Street is embarking on a significant expansion that will create new opportunities for connection, gathering, and community engagement.

As part of this exciting project, St. Paul’s is adding a community coffee house to its existing space. The new addition will provide a welcoming place for people to gather, build relationships, share conversation, and engage with one another in meaningful ways.

The space is already home to several wonderful community efforts, including our Amherst FSC, the Tiger’s Den food pantry, the Daily Bread Food Truck, and Wheels for Workers. Each of these organizations and initiatives brings its own unique way of supporting, serving, and connecting with members of our community. Together, they reflect the spirit of collaboration and care that makes this such a special place.

The FSC was honored to take part in a special groundbreaking ceremony over the summer as this new chapter began. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate not only the construction that is getting underway, but also the possibilities that lie ahead for our community.

We are especially excited about what this expanded space will mean for the work of the FSC. Having additional room to welcome people, and create opportunities for connection opens the door to new ways of serving children, and families.

As construction progresses, we will be watching with great anticipation as this vision becomes a reality. We eagerly look forward to seeing how this added space transforms the work we are able to do and creates even more opportunities for people to come together, find support, and build meaningful relationships.

There is so much to look forward to, and we are grateful to be part of this growing community!

Reach out to us to chat, if you have questions about anything in this newsletter, would like to schedule in-school counseling or attend an event.

• (716) 362-3073
• (716) 362-3071
• email - familysupportcenter@amherstschools.org

We exist to provide community resources and support to families in the pursuit to create well-adjusted and confident children.

The Family Support Center and Horizon Health Services have partnered to offer Family Therapy by a Family Counselor to help families work through problems and improve their relationships. Sessions take place at the Family Support Center located at 4007 Main Street, Amherst.

Sessions can help your family communicate without arguments, create strong relationships, set boundaries for children and learn discipline strategies. Call the Family Support Center at 362-3073 to register.