Haunted Park on Halloween
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Scott Schneider
October 28, 2021
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Our Programs
Afterschool4Success
Our home-grown mentoring program that builds STEAM, improves grades and prevents youth (7-17) from getting involved in risky behaviors
HIV/AIDS Education, Counseling, and Testing
Through of Florida Department of Health License, we provide free RAPID HIV testing and services, FREE
YouCount Census
An accurate census helps ensure you have a voice at all levels of government. Through a grant with the Tau Foundation, FICS seeks to educate and inform the community to ensure YouCount!
Partners in Wellness
FICS programming has been strategically focused on responding to identified community needs and an overall request to assist in creating more wellness, opportunities and positive outcomes at the individual, family, peer/school and community levels
Volunteer Program: Mentoring and Tutoring
Through out volunteers and partnerships we provide on-site tutoring and mentoring free of charge. We have a site license for youth to access MobyMax.com for FREE
Research, Planning, and evaluation
Our staff have expertise in qualitative and quantitative research, from design to data collection to analysis and reporting. Available in English and Spanish.
Prodigy
We offer youth FREE arts/crafts and theater classes through our contract with UACDC for Prodigy Cultural Arts! Currently we have art and dance! Stay tuned for more!
All Things Culture & Straz Partnership
We are bridging the gap between arts, art education, and our communities with partners at the Straz and Arts Council! Learn more by visiting our website!
Our Mission
To PARTNER with communities across Florida to help them achieve their goals through research, education, training, services and the arts. FICS believes that communities know their strengths and gaps better than anyone else. We work to build on the strengths to close gaps through active partnerships.
News
Press Release
FICS Receives Commendation from Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to recognize the Florida Institute for Community Studies for its dedication to service while overcoming the daunting challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scott Schneider
June 17, 2021
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Vaccine
COVID-19 General Information
A general guide for COVID-19 Compiled from Hillsborough County Website
Scott Schneider
April 23, 2021
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Vaccine
Other Ways to Get Vaccinated
Aside from public sites, there are multiple private providers for the COVID-Vaccine. Click here to learn more!
Scott Schneider
April 22, 2021
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Vaccine
Hillsborough County Vaccination Site Information
Hillsborough county has setup several public vaccination sites. Click here to learn more!
Scott Schneider
April 22, 2021
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Vaccine
Scott Schneider
April 21, 2021
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Upcoming Events
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Haunted Park on Halloween
October 28, 2021
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Our Impact
FICS works at the community level to identify gaps and strengths. Through our community advisers, we use those strengths to write plans and create effective programs that build resilience and keep youth out of gangs, help make people healthier, and HIV and Substance free. Our reach extends to thousands of people per year, and we have documented significant improvements in teen pregnancy reduction, violence prevention, improved community responsibility and reduced dependence on law enforcement, prisons, and healthcare systems. We estimate a conservative savings to our community of $4.89 for every dollar spent on after school programs, meaning we have saved the community $1.5 million for youth. In terms of diabetics’ outcomes, we have documented a cost-savings of $782,811 per year.
Our Model
Community at the Center
FICS serves as a facilitator in assisting community by working across partners and groups in a way that allows youth, parents, researchers, community members, educators, and professionals to interact, exchange information and knowledge to create solutions.
Our Finances
Transparency is a focus of the Florida Institute for Community Studies. We proudly provide financial information to GuideStar. Because of our transparency, we have earned GuideStar’s Gold Participant status.
Where do we spend our money?
Program Expenses
67%
Administrative Cost (Rent, Office Supplies, printing, etc.)
18%
Misc. Expenses
15%
Based on 2018 financial reports. FICS exceeds in the industry standards in ensuring grants donations go to our programs; not marketing or executive salaries.
Our Facility
FICS is located at Morgan Woods Park in Town n’ Country, Florida. Our facility includes the following:
- Safe, fenced in outside recreation area
- Outdoor covered patio
- Sperate adult/youth restrooms
- 21st Century Computer Lab
- Flexible Seating Arrangements
- Large Classoom
- Imagination Playground
- Gun-Free Zone
- Fingerprint Cleared Staff
Planning a Visit?
FICS In the News!
- Tampa Bay Times 11/22/2020
- Washington Post
- NBC News
- Tampa Bay Times 08/24/20
- Tampa Bay Times 09/24/20
- Spectrum Bay News 9 08/19/19
- Tampa Bay Times 08/04/2016
- Tampa Bay Times 02/24/2018
- Tampa Bay Times 04/24/2019 (Column written by FICS Executive Director Dr. Alayne Unterberger PhD)
FICS was seen on ABC Nightly News. In the image, Jordon Montaez, 13, left, and Mariana Soto, 10, participate in e-learning Monday at the Florida Institute for Community Studies while director Alayne Unterberger talks with Soto’s teacher to troubleshoot issues on the first day of school for Hillsborough County in Tampa. (Ivy Ceballo/Tampa Bay Times/AP)
Dr. Alayne Unterberger
Executive Director
Alayne is a co-founder of FICS, which grew out of a series of initiatives with community leaders, students, professors and activists from across the state. She is passionate about FICS’ motto: CARE. It stands for Community, Activism, Research and Education. These four pillars emerged from community participatory research and reflect our belief that communities know their strengths and needs best. We work to develop community voices to advocate for solutions that create the conditions for success.
Email: alayneu@ficsinc.org
Education:
- PhD Medical Anthropology, University of Florida
- MA Anthropology, University of South Florida
- BA, International Relations and Spanish, Juniata College
Other Professional Activities:
- Adjunct Professor of Public Health, University of South Florida
- Adjunct Professor of Anthropology, Hillsborough Community College
Meet our Board Chairman
Mr. Carlton Lewis
Chairman of the Board
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Human Resource Management, Saint Leo University
Awards and Honors:
- Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, Citizen of the Year 2005
- Hillsborough County, Florida Citizenship Award 2004
- Hillsborough County of Children Services Citizenship Award 2003
- Hillsborough County Moral Courage Award, Timberlane Crime Watch 1993
- Honor Graduate, Cum Laude, Saint Leo College, Delta Epsilon Sigma 1993
- Veteran of 20 years United States Army, Military Intelligence, 1991
Volunteer With FICS
Donate
Support FICS
FICS is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization, therefor all contributions are tax-deductible. Consult your tax professional for more details.
Donations are processed securely through Stripe. To view their privacy policy click here.
Our Sponsors
FICS greatly appreciates the sponsorships within our community. For more information on how to sponsor FICS and our mission please contact our executive director by clicking here!