Our History
Our History
1969
1969
Families & Communities Rising (FCR) emerged in 1969 as Chapel Hill Training Outreach Project (CHTOP) under the visionary leadership of Anne Sanford, empowered by a modest grant from the US Department of Education. This marked the genesis of FCR's mission to cater to the educational needs of children with disabilities, a marginalized segment of society. Fueled by this initial funding, FCR joined a nationwide endeavor dedicated to addressing this long-neglected demographic.
1983
1983
FCR's pioneering work gave rise to the Chapel Hill Model, a comprehensive framework comprising assessment tools, curricula, and strategies fostering parental involvement and family-centric programming. In 1983, the U.S. Department of Education's Joint Dissemination Review Panel (JDRP) unanimously recognized the Chapel Hill Model as an "exemplary program," solidifying its impact.
1973
1973
The organization's involvement with Head Start began in 1973 when it was entrusted with establishing a training network for Head Start staff in Region IV. FCR's commitment to Head Start deepened as it expanded its direct services to families and children within its local communities.
1990
1990
In 1990, Mr. Mike Mathers succeeded Ms. Sanford as Executive Director. Previously, Mr. Mathers was the media coordinator for FCR producing training materials to support various FCR objectives. He remained Executive Director until his retirement in 2018 when he was succeeded by Mr. Terry David, former director of the Durham Head Start program, a division of FCR.
Today
Today
Today, FCR continues to make a significant impact, serving approximately 1,000 children in Head Start programs across Orange and Durham Counties in North Carolina. The KidSCope program extends support to children with disabilities in Orange and Chatham Counties, while FRIENDS and ARCH programs address critical national priorities in community-based child abuse prevention and respite care for individuals of all ages.