FLINT - Students, parents and community members can learn about the new services at the Community Resource Center at Durant Tuuri Mott (DTM) Elementary School during an open house from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 13.

Community Partners in Action brings together needs-based programs from community agencies to provide families with access to dental care, parenting programs, teen programs, state assistance counseling, tutoring and a host of supportive services through the Genesee County Department of Human Services' Family Resource Center located at the elementary school, 1430 W. Third Ave. in Flint. Local state legislators have been invited to attend.

Along with the resources of the school and DHS, Metro Housing Partnership, Eastern Seals, Shelton Automotive, the Children's Museum, Kettering University, Hamilton Community Health Network, Planned Parenthood and the city of Flint offer needs-based services designed to assist at-risk children and their families. Metro Housing and Kettering University fund a full-time community resource coordinator.

"We look forward to this collaboration and the ability to serve the community with one-stop shopping for needed supports," Genesee County DHS Director Sheryl Thompson said. "Children and the Durant Tuuri Mott school community can expect improved quality of life due to these much needed services."

Visitors also can enjoy an ice cream buffet and win raffle prizes while learning more about the services offered.

The Community Partners in Action are dedicated to fostering healthy development in DTM children and offering sustainability for their families. Community Partners in Action hopes to aid in alleviating social problems such as poor dental health, teen pregnancy, youth detachment and family instability.

The Family Resource Center at DTM was opened in 2003 as one of the first in the state as part of Gov. Granholm's initiative to link human services and priority schools. Since its creation, the Family Resource Center at DTM has had profound impacts on student attendance and achievement and was recognized at the Governor's Faith Based and Community Initiative Summit in 2006 as an example of effective partnership-building. The center is now one of 54 similar sites around the state where DHS leadership brings community partners together in innovative ways to help families.