OVERVIEW
Our name is Lao Family Community Development because newly arrived refugees from Laos founded us, some 40+ years ago—however, our “Community” has grown much, much larger than any one ethnic group. We are now recognized as an innovator and high-impact community development agency. Our approach, delivery model and highlights can be found HERE.
While we still work with and are active in the Lao, Mien, and Hmong communities. Our staff speaks 35+ languages and serves clients from around the globe—well over 40 countries. Our services are open to anyone who needs them, including people born and raised in the US. We welcome walk-ins, self-referrals, and referrals from various partners.
Our leadership, staff, and clients are incredibly diverse, and the people we serve share specific challenges in common, which is why they come to us. Some of these challenges include:
- Poverty and High Unemployment
- Housing
- Limited-English proficiency
- Food Insecurity
- Lack of Job Experience and Marketable Job Skills
- Live in Low-Income, High-Crime Neighborhoods
- Lack of Financial Literacy, Credit and Savings
- Health and Mental Health issues
- Lack of Personal Transportation
- Domestic Violence
- Lack of Access to Affordable Childcare
- Justice-Involved History
Even with all these barriers in their path, we see resilience and determination that, with assistance, ultimately can lead to real and tangible successes.
We’ve put together some pages to help you get to know our community, including the challenges they face and the successes they’ve accomplished. We also have included a blog and our newsletters to keep you updated about what’s happening here and elsewhere in our community. We hope you enjoy it.
CARF ACCREDITATION
Lao Family empowers and restores families and the community through an Integrated case management model. We are accredited through the CARF International Accreditation Framework.
- Upon eligibility, assessment and admission-LFCD delivers confidential team focused integrated case management care (holistic-client centered integrated effort and communication) delivering tailored outcomes: permanent housing, exit homelessness, job placement, earned/public income, reduce recidivism, exit to self-sufficiency, positively contribute to society.)
- LFCD earned an independent accreditation from the International Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF INTERNATIONAL) in the employment and community service category (to serve individuals with diverse disabilities).
- CARF is the gold standard in non-profit employment and human service accreditation. Emphasize best practice and curriculum standards, fiscal and operational management, quality staffing and programming priorities that align with the goals of creating sustainable pathways to increase employment participation rates, income, benefits, savings, economic empowerment, better housing, educational advancement, skills acquisition, health outcomes, and engagement.
WHY LAO FAMILY?
- We give families the tools to become self-sufficient
- A history of 43 years—established in 1980
- We are CARF International Accredited
- Quality, trusted staff, management, and high-outcome programs in employment, housing, traditional health and mental health, digital literacy, career education, and many more.
