Family Resource Center, Orlando
Who We Are
The Family Resource Center (FRC) provides patients and their families streamlined access to community resources, classes and other services, in the same building where their children receive their medical care. Staffed by our innovative volunteer program, Supporting Our Children in Accessing Healthy Living (SOCIAL), the FRC supports Nemour’s Children’s Hospital, Florida, through an extensive database of resources across Florida, partnerships with charitable organizations and donations from the community. By connecting patient families with personalized community resources, the FRC continues our mission of extending care Well Beyond Medicine.
- Our Services
- FRC Classes
- Our Volunteers
- About Us
Our Services
Our Resource Navigators work with patients and their loved ones to connect them with the support they need to help keep them well. We strive to support families as they return home from the hospital and to help find long-term solutions to prevent unnecessary rehospitalizations or missed appointments.
Resource Referrals
Resource Navigators use various databases as well as relationships with our community partners to connect families with relevant local, state or national services based on families’ unique needs. We are available to meet with families in the FRC or at the bedside to provide resource information during a hospital stay. Whether you’re admitted for several months or visiting a clinic for a short appointment, we strive to support every Nemours Children’s patient and family.
Computer Lab
High-speed internet is not always accessible in some neighborhoods, and this can be a barrier to applying for jobs as well as accessing local and national services. Desktop computers are available to families to fill out applications, print documents, complete trainings and other needs while their children are in the hospital.
On-Site Resources
The Family Resource Center keeps some supplies on site to provide immediate aid for families.
- Food for going home: Food boxes filled with healthy, nonperishable food for a family of four for one week. This valuable resource ensures families don't go home to empty pantries after long hospital stays. (Limited to one box per family, per month.)
- Children’s books: In collaboration with Nemours Children’s Community Engagement Team, we provide books to patients and siblings of all ages.
- Other supplies: We periodically have supplies like diaper bags, baby food, etc., which help to support the families we serve (Availability varies).
Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida
1st Floor, near the Auditorium
6353 Nemours Pkwy
Orlando, FL 32827
* Disclaimer: the Family Resource Center cannot provide direct financial assistance. If you are seeking help with expenses incurred while at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, please refer to the Nemours Financial Assistance Program.
Common Legal Topics
Sponsored by: The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association
Learn more about legal assistance in Orange County.
Guardian Advocacy — December 10, 2024
When someone lacks the decision-making ability to make necessary decisions relating to daily life a guardian can be appointed to make decisions for the person. This discussion will cover who is eligible for guardianship, the steps required to become a Guardian Advocate and the responsibilities of the role.
Renter’s Rights — January 14, 2025
Landlord/Tenant laws are Florida state laws relating to housing. This talk will review types of rental units, types of leases, eviction laws, nonpayment of rent, substandard conditions and security deposits.
Consumer Law/Debt Collection — February 11, 2025
This session covers the laws regarding nonpayment of bills, debt collection, when your pay is being taken to pay a debt, the effect of being a co-signer and basic bankruptcy considerations. Resources will also be discussed for budgeting and financial counseling.
Immigration — March 11, 2025
This seminar will discuss the types of work visas and the process and fees to renew a work visa.
Family Law — April 8, 2025
This seminar will discuss dissolution of marriage (divorce), paternity (establishing parentage for a child born out of wedlock), child support issues, timesharing of children and obligations of both parents.
Sealing and Expunction — May 13, 2025
This discussion will cover the process for sealing or expunging a Florida record (not out-of-state or federal records). It will cover what records are eligible, the fees involved and how a sealing or expunction can be beneficial.
Financial Literacy
Sponsored by: Bank of America
Better Money Habits — Economic Mobility Basics: Budgeting & Banking Basics — TBD
How to manage debt, banking basics, emergency funds and how to budget.
Better Money Habits— Economic Mobility Basics: Income & Paychecks— TBD
Understanding and make the most of your paycheck, as well as benefits and resources that may be available to you.
Better Money Habits — Economic Mobility Basics: Financial Safety — TBD
How to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft and how to stay financially safe. Also, what to do if fraud or identity theft happens to you.
Cooking and Nutrition
Sponsored by Second Harvest
Healthy Portions — TBD
Learn about preparing foods in healthy portions with affordable ingredients.
Our Volunteers
Resource Navigators are undergraduate students studying to be doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists and other health care professionals volunteering with our SOCIAL Volunteer Program. They are trained in social drivers of health to guide families in connecting with relevant community, state or national organizations personalized to their unique needs. Through this program, they gain valuable experience supporting families while learning about the important role the health care industry plays in caring for whole families.
Learn more about volunteer opportunities in Orlando.
Amrita Singh
Resource Navigator Lead
My name is Amrita, and I am a UCF graduate who studied both biomedical sciences and psychology with the hopes of becoming a physician in the future. I believe that a holistic approach should be taken in regards to health care, and the SOCIAL program and Family Resource Center are helping to form the foundations of my desire to make health care a more compassionate field.
Alejandro Rubio
Resource Navigator Lead
My name is Alejandro, and am studying Biomedical Sciences at UCF with a minor in Chemistry. My end goal with my education is to go through medical school and become a surgeon. I chose to be part of the SOCIAL project as I resonated with core ideas, values and goals. I understand the need for a program such as this in a hospital like Nemours, which is why I am excited to be a part of the cohort that helps to build it for future patients and their families.
James Barrios
Resource Navigator Lead
Hello! I am a second-year student at UCF studying chemistry, with the hope of going into medical school after graduation. Outside of school, I enjoy reading the classics, hanging out with friends and learning new things. I joined the SOCIAL Program and the Family Resource Center because I see it as a unique opportunity to work with and learn about large-scale issues that impact health care and its effectiveness. I hope that my experiences with the SOCIAL Program will better my ability to connect with and understand others in my future endeavors, medical and otherwise.
Eric Tavora
Resource Navigator Lead
I am an undergraduate for the University of Central Florida majoring in biomedical sciences with a neuroscience concentration and minoring in psychology. Upon graduating, I intend to pursue a career in medicine as a physician and utilize my passions to help empower my community.
My interest in Nemours’ social program arose from the understanding that medicine goes beyond academic knowledge as it involves not only the social aspects of a community but the emotional sense of unity and compassion. A true physician must be able to understand those values and excel in such, and as a lead volunteer I have the pleasure to be exposed to families in need of that very thing; constantly working as a team to provide patients with resources crucial to their well-being on a case-by-case scenario.
Amanda Persaud
Specialty Clinic Coordinator
Hello! My name is Amanda Persaud, and I am a graduate student pursuing studies in health science and public health. I am committed to identifying and addressing the social drivers of health, while passionately advocating for health equity. I am thrilled to be part of the SOCIAL team at Nemours, where I am eager to contribute towards enhancing access to health care and improving health outcomes for our patients, their families and the surrounding communities.
Alejandra Ceballos
Resource Navigator
My name is Alejandra Ceballos, and I’m a Health Sciences major and honors student at UCF, originally from Cali, Colombia. Driven by a passion for helping others, I aspire to become a doctor specializing in seizure disorders, with the goal of advancing research and finding a cure. My experiences and volunteer work have deepened my commitment to positively impacting those facing difficult challenges. Outside of my studies, I enjoy horse riding and exploring nature, finding joy in connecting with the great outdoors.
Aaron Singh
Resource Navigator
Hello, my name is Aaron Singh. I am a 23-year-old junior at UCF. Currently I am studying clinical psychology. After my undergrad, I want to go into a graduate program to study cognitive-behavioral psych therapy. I volunteer at Nemours to better understand the population I am going to be working with. It gives me insight on how to handle complex situations, and assist families in finding and utilizing resources.
I hope to use my experiences with the SOCIAL program to better help patients and families in my future career.
Victoria Perez
Resource Navigator
Hi! I’m Victoria, a volunteer with the SOCIAL program at Nemours’ Family Resource Center and a current Biomedical Sciences student at UCF. I have plans to pursue a career in pediatrics, and I am passionate about helping bridge the gap between health care and social determinants of health. The Family Resource Center offers so many opportunities, and I’m more than happy to help you connect with available resources.
Alvaro Castillo
Resource Navigator
My name is Alvaro Castillo, and I'm from Venezuela. I'm a biomedical sciences major. I started volunteering because I genuinely believe in the mission of supporting not only the families of the hospitals but also the ones in the community and making a significant difference in health care.
Ann Mary Thomas
Resource Navigator
I am Ann Mary Thomas and I am a Health Sciences major at UCF. I want to be a physician in the future and I am especially interested in social advocacy and understanding the impact of society on health. I really enjoy working at the Resource Center as it helps bridge that gap between clinical care and social resources that patients need and deserve. I am very excited to see the Resource Center flourish and grow.
Maria Clara Quintal
Resource Navigator
Hi! I am a premedical student undergraduate at UCF, majoring in Health Sciences with hopes of attending medical school and becoming a doctor. An important aspect of my journey towards medical school is to use my time to serve as a channel to help other people. Being the voice that is going to provide resources according to each family's needs is crucial work that will improve the wellness and quality of life of several households, which is the reason why I decided to be part of the SOCIAL program.
Rebekah George
Resource Navigator
Hello! I am a sophomore at the University of Central Florida, where I study molecular and cellular biology. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I plan to attend medical school and work towards becoming a physician. I enjoy working with the SOCIAL program as it allows me to provide children and their families with the resources they need to improve their quality of life.
Jeniya Ramos
Resource Navigator
Hello! I am a first-generation student at The University of Central Florida, earning my BS in clinical psychology. After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school with hopes of later establishing a Christ-based counseling practice. I love that SOCIAL allows us to meet the needs of patients that are often overlooked or unseen. It’s an honor to be a part of a team that brings light and advances the message of holistic health care.
Manuela Echaverri
Resource Navigator
Hi my name is Manuela, I am a bilingual third-year college student at UCF who aspires to earn her bachelor's in Biomedical Sciences and move on to medical school with the goal of working in pediatrics, specifically in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, helping children that are going through trials I once went through. My experiences growing up have instilled in me a passion for medicine and helping others, which is what sparked my interest of working in the SOCIAL program, with the goal of helping families in the Nemours community and making a difference in their lives.
Anila Bhusam
Resource Navigator
Hello, my name is Anila Bhusam. I am a 4th-year student at the University of Central Florida working towards a degree in Health Sciences. I have been a SOCIAL Volunteer since April 2024 and thoroughly enjoy connecting patients and families with essential resources that enhance their quality of life.
Sam Sider
Resource Navigator
Hi, my name is Sam Sider. I’m a current nondegree-seeking student at Valencia College working on my prerequisites for medical school hoping to go to medical school in a couple of years. I like to help people to get the resources they want.
Madelyn Rodriguez
Resource Navigator
My name is Madelyn Rodriguez, and I am a Health Sciences major on the premedicine track at Stetson University. I currently have aspirations of attending medical school and becoming a physician. I decided to join the SOCIAL team because of the passion for helping families beyond clinical care. Knowing that I am having a direct impact on the lives of families is a very inspirational and rewarding experience that allows me growth in various areas from professional to personal.
Dulce Sanjuan
Resource Navigator
Hello, My name is Dulce Sanjuan, I come from a Mexican heritage and I'm currently undergoing my bachelor’s in biology preprofessional with a minor in medical anthropology at UCF. My goal is to work in pediatrics specializing in ophthalmology. The medical field has always been a big passion of mine, therefore being part of the SOCIAL department allows me to give back to my community while considering the holistic side of health and well-being, which is something I want to implement in my care as a future medical professional.
Arianni Ramirez
Volunteer Coordinator
Hi! I’m a sophomore at UCF, and a Biomedical Sciences major. My goal after undergrad is to pursue a doctorate and become a pulmonologist. Beyond school, I love cars, dogs and scuba diving. I joined SOCIAL because I hope to help level out the playing field for the next generation and create solutions for the various inequities people face.
Why build a family resource center?
Nearly one in five children in Central Florida live in poverty, while almost half of children in our Central Florida service area face food insecurity. We know that Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) such as food insecurity, homelessness and lack of access to education directly correlate with a child’s well-being and have long-term effects on health. For sick or injured children, these challenges can be magnified, with the recovery process hindered by the effects of financial struggles. The Nemours Children’s Family Resource Center (FRC) coordinates with care teams to identify families with needs affecting health outcomes and uses an identified-resources approach to help meet these needs.
The Nemours Children’s Family Resource Center (FRC) is staffed by a specially-trained group of volunteers in our SOCIAL program. They provide one-on-one resource navigation connecting families with organizations and services in the community as well as with state and federal benefits. SOCIAL volunteers are trained in the effects of SDOH on patient well-being, how to work with families in clinical settings and how to identify appropriate resources based on family needs and area of residence. Our dedicated volunteers are students studying to be doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and other health care professionals. Many of them take on leadership roles within the SOCIAL program as well as to support FRC operations. The program is directed by Laura Chilcutt, MD, medical director of Medical-Social Impact for Nemours Children’s Health, Orlando.