Tri-County Family Care Center Celebrates 31 Years of Serving Families in Rocky Ford and Southeast Colorado

Description: Front row (left to right): Lisa Vigil-Gonzales, Jocelyn Castaneda, Sarah Dillon, Rachael Soria, and Dorothy Mason. Back row (left to right): Rosemarie Garcia-Shiflett, Alison Baribeau, Jeri Vargas, and Andrea Fresquez.

     Tri-County Family Care Center

‘‘31st’ Anniversary

Tri-County Family Care Center (TCFCC) completed “31” years in business as of May 5, 2026. Sarah Dillon, Founder and Executive Director established the Family Center and opened an office at 409 S. Main, Rocky Ford in January 1996. In 2008, there was a fire next door and the center suffered smoke damage making it necessary to leave. They were able to move into the North side of Dr. Herbert Mameda’s Dental office, where Dan Hyatt, Attorney At Law office, had vacated three years prior. TCFCC has been at 512 ½ N. Main since then. 

TCFCC began as a Resource & Referral agency and coordinates multiple programs and many services. We network with other agencies to assist people in getting the help and support they need. Our agency is not a crisis center for life threatening situations. We serve as a networking and coordinating center to connect the various services and resources for better utilization by the community. TCFCC educates and empowers families and individuals to maintain stability through life skill programs, service and support to gain self-reliance. 

The following programs are provided by TCFCC and coordinated by its staff: 

Bright By Three (BB3), Parents As Teachers (PAT), CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health), Building Family Strengths with Family Support Services (FSS), H.A.P.P.E.E (Health Advocacy Parent Partnership Education & Empowerment), Car Seat Safety, Reducing Children’s Exposure to 2nd Hand Smoke. We offer budgeting & parenting classes, case management, assist with Medicaid & food stamp applications, and utility assistance, from Energy Outreach Colorado funds. Find the Arkansas Valley Resource Guide on our website: tricountyfamilycenter.org. TCFCC has acquired many collaborating partners, throughout the “31” years and is a member of the Family Resource Center Association, which has 34 members statewide. TCFCC is one of two Family Centers in the Southeast region of the state. We have served more than 12,500 people, since 2000! The number increases each year of individuals and families accessing referrals, educational opportunities and support. We “Offer Hope Through Resources!”

Current staff and the number of years at TCFCC are Sarah Dillon, Executive Director, “31” years, Lisa Gonzales, FSS Supervisor/Coordinator, 16 years, Rose Marie Garcia Shiflett, Family Advocate, 6 years, Rachael Soria, Parents As Teachers (PAT) Coordinator, 2 years, Jeri Vargas, PAT Educator, 1½ years, Andrea Fresquez, 2 years, Dorothy Mason, Financial Assistant, 13 years, Jocelyn Castaneda, PAT Educator, 9 years and Alison Baribeau, PAT Educator, 2 months.

For more information or if you need assistance, call 254-7776, come to the office or email info.tricountyfcc@gmail.com. Check out our website: www.tricountyfamilycenter.org. 

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